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 8, 2003
                                                         -----------------


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


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



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




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


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ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE
--------------------------------

     North Fork Bancorporation, Inc. issued a press release (See Exhibit 99.1)
today announcing that it will be presenting at the Lehman Brothers 2003
Financial Services Conference on Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 9 at 11:00AM (ET).

     Lehman Brothers has established a Live and Archived Webcast for interested
parties to listen to and view the North Fork presentation. The Webcast can be
accessed by visiting North Fork's website at http://www.northforkbank.com and
clicking on LEHMAN BROTHERS WEBCAST - SEPTEMBER 9, 2003. A printable version of
the presentation slideshow will also be available on the North Fork website.




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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 8, 2003





NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.


By:   /s/  Daniel M. Healy
--------------------------

Daniel M. Healy
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer



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