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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NvjAG3MrGW3jfcrTbY0kVixW3CyJEBvmzdYQFjA5tOiyEZKzJK6PSNu//vvCZa0N
 GxfReBniIX9FEGs+r0Gpxg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001183702-03-000005.txt : 20030509
<SEC-HEADER>0001183702-03-000005.hdr.sgml : 20030509
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030509111647
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001183702-03-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030508
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030509

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STERN PAUL G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183702

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03433
		FILM NUMBER:		03689385

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		DOW CHEMICAL CO
		STREET 2:		2030 DOW CENTER
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48674

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOW CHEMICAL CO /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000029915
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [2800]
		IRS NUMBER:				381285128
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2030 DOW CENTER
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48674-2030
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5176361000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2030 DOW CENTER
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48674-2030
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-05-08</periodOfReport>
<issuer><issuerCik>0000029915</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DOW CHEMICAL CO /DE/</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>DOW</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001183702</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STERN PAUL G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-05-08</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F2"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1150</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>0</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>11650</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershi
pNature></nonDerivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Award of restricted stock under the 2003 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Incentive Plan that became effective upon approval by the Company's stockholders on May 8, 2003.  Under the terms of the Plan, this award of restricted stock is effective as of March 5, 2003.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Award of restricted stock by The Dow Chemical Company in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Paul G. Stern</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-05-08</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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