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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HFG7dU+8AF5CmSEP2TBp/yFx2sYr+TAkQWviv3i1SbZJ2baW/pbUj+WrkIzjC/uN
 zTdN3QvVThDo2s5YDI6Auw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-020843.txt : 20040415
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-020843.hdr.sgml : 20040415
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040415183438
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-020843
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040414
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040415

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ECKERT ALFRED C III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001127382
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			A6
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04694
		FILM NUMBER:		04736845

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12 EAST 49TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3200
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12 EAST 49TH STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3200
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DONNELLEY R R & SONS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000029669
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMERCIAL PRINTING [2750]
		IRS NUMBER:				361004130
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		77 W WACKER DR
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3123268000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		77 W WACKER DRIVE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd39572.xml
<DESCRIPTION>APRIL FORM 4-  ECKERT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000029669</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DONNELLEY R R &amp; SONS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RRD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001127382</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ECKERT ALFRED C III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>500 CAMPUS DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 220</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FLORHAM PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07932</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6601.7495</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6601.7495</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6601.7495</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">One restricted stock unit is equal to one share of common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">One third of the restricted stock units are payable in shares of common stock or cash on the third anniversary of the grant date or, at the election of the reporting person, when the reporting person ceases to be a director and the other two thirds are payable in shares of common stock or cash when the reporting person ceases to be a director.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Common Stock, and rights to purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock attached thereto.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Company granted restricted stock units issued pursuant to Rule 16b-3 Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jennifer Reiners, pursuant to Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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