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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              WASHINGTON D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT






     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) - SEPTEMBER 20, 2001
                                                         -------------------



                         NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.
                         -------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)




  DELAWARE                            1-10458                36-3154608
  --------------------------          --------------         --------------
 (State or other jurisdiction          (Commission           (IRS Employer
 of incorporation)                     File Number)          Identification No.)



   275 BROADHOLLOW ROAD
     MELVILLE, NEW YORK                                          11747
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  (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)




  Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         (631) 844-1004
                                                              --------------



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ITEM 5.    OTHER EVENTS
        North Fork Bancorporation, Inc.'s Chairman, John A. Kanas, sends a
special message to our shareholders, customers and friends concerning the recent
World Trade Center tragedy on September 11, 2001.




ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS


(a)     Financial Statements of the Business Acquired.
        Not Applicable


(b)     Pro Forma Financial Information
        Not Applicable


(c)     Exhibits
        99.1   Press Release dated September 20, 2001




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                                    SIGNATURE



        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


Date:    September 21, 2001





NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.


By:   /s/  Daniel M. Healy
     -------------------------------
     Daniel M. Healy
     Executive Vice President
     Chief Financial Officer



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