FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)
(X)        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

OR

( )        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period                           to                          

Commission file number 1-11394

       MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC, INC.       
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	95-3863205
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporated or organization)	Identification No.)

402 West County Road D, St. Paul, Minnesota	55112
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number including area code:                    (651) 636-7466

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes       X       No           

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes            No       X     

The number of shares of Common Stock, $.15 par value, outstanding as of April 30, 2004, was 4,978,679.

MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC, INC.

INDEX

	Page
Part I        Financial Information:
Item 1: Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three
Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003	3
Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2004
and December 31, 2003	4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three
Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003	5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2:
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations	11
Item 3:
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
About Market Risk	19
Item 4:
Controls and Procedures	19
Part II       Other Information	20
Item 1: Legal Proceedings	20
Item 2: Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds	20
Item 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities	20
Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders	20
Item 5: Other Information	20
Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K	20
Signatures	21
Exhibit Index	22

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PART I      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1:       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2004			March 31, 2003
REVENUES:
Laboratory services	$	10,218		$	9,534
Product sales		3,365			2,937
		13,583			12,471
COST OF REVENUES:
Cost of services		6,530			6,467
Cost of sales		1,312			1,264
		7,842			7,731
GROSS PROFIT		5,741			4,740
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative		4,267			4,261
Research and development		409			413
		4,676			4,674
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS		1,065			66
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense		(266	)		(299	)
Other expense, net		(132	)		(94	)
		(398	)		(393	)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT		667			(327	)
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT		(253	)		124
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	414		$	(203	)
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.08		$	(0.04	)
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.08		$	(0.04	)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic		4,977,229			4,912,736
Diluted		5,149,025			4,912,736

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

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MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

	March 31, 2004			December 31, 2003
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	186		$	711
Accounts receivable:
Trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts ($444 in 2004 and $372 in 2003)		9,554			7,922
Other		145			145
Note receivable from related party		--			300
Total accounts receivable		9,699			8,367
Inventories		3,514			3,564
Deferred income taxes		1,258			1,258
Prepaid expenses and other		1,108			1,406
Total current assets		15,765			15,306
BUILDING, EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS, net		15,939			15,092
GOODWILL		15,967			15,967
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net		1,827			1,836
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, net		7,824			8,077
OTHER ASSETS		157			240
TOTAL ASSETS	$	57,479		$	56,518
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Line of credit	$	5,532		$	5,126
Accounts payable		3,308			2,236
Accrued expenses		3,169			3,649
Current portion of long-term debt		2,984			2,725
Current portion of capital leases		75			73
Total current liabilities		15,068			13,809
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current portion		6,691			7,526
LONG-TERM PORTION OF CAPITAL LEASES, net of current portion		93			113
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; authorized shares, 50,000; none issued and outstanding		--			--
Common stock, $0.15 par value; authorized shares, 14,400,000; issued and
outstanding shares, 4,977,838 in 2004 and 4,977,221 in 2003		746			746
Additional paid-in capital		81,668			81,666
Deferred stock-based compensation		(854	)		(995	)
Accumulated deficit		(45,757	)		(46,171	)
Treasury stock		(176	)		(176	)
Total stockholders' equity		35,627			35,070
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	57,479		$	56,518

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

4

MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2004			March 31, 2003
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$	414		$	(203	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		720			713
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		63			171
Loss on sale of equipment		10			--
Deferred compensation		131			134
Deferred income taxes		253			--
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(1,395	)		(494	)
Inventories		50			270
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		298			202
Other assets		--			105
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		592			(1,642	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		1,136			(744	)
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures		(1,492	)		(477	)
Proceeds from sale of equipment		35			--
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,457	)		(477	)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from sale of common stock		12			16
Net proceeds on revolving credit facility		406			1,340
Proceeds from long-term debt		--			965
Principal payments on long-term debt		(604	)		(692	)
Principal payments on capital leases		(18	)		(32	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(204	)		1,597
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(525	)		376
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		711			439
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	186		$	815
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for:
Interest	$	237		$	271

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

5

MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
March 31, 2004

1.     BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of MEDTOX Scientific, Inc. (the Company) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial condition and results of operations have been included. Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be attained for the entire year. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Stock-Based Compensation — Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” requires companies to measure employee stock compensation plans and non-employee stock-based compensation based on the fair value method of accounting. However, for stock compensation granted to employees, SFAS No. 123 allows the alternative of continued use of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APBO) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” with pro forma disclosure of net income and earnings per share determined as if the fair value method had been applied in measuring compensation cost. The Company has elected the continued use of APBO No. 25.

Had the Company determined compensation expense for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, (as amended by SFAS No. 148), the Company’s net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share would have been changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

(In thousands, except per share data)		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2004			March 31, 2003
Net income (loss)	As reported	$	414		$	(203	)
Less: Total stock-based compensation
expense net of related tax effect			(86	)		(97	)
	Pro forma	$	328		$	(300	)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	As reported	$	0.08		$	(0.04	)
	Pro forma		0.07			(0.06	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	As reported	$	0.08		$	(0.04	)
	Pro forma		0.06			(0.06	)

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New Accounting Standards: In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” as revised in December 2003 (FIN 46R).  FIN 46R addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities and significantly changes the consolidation application of consolidation policies to variable interest entities and, thus improves comparability between enterprises engaged in similar activities when those activities are conducted through variable interest entities.  The consolidation requirements of FIN 46R apply to variable interest entities as of March 31, 2004. The Company does not hold an interest in any variable interest entities.

2. SEGMENTS

The Company has two reportable segments: Laboratory Services and Product Sales. The Laboratory Services segment consists of MEDTOX Laboratories Inc. and New Brighton Business Center, LLC. Services provided include forensic toxicology (primarily workplace drugs-of-abuse testing) and Specialty Laboratory Services, which include clinical toxicology, clinical testing for the pharmaceutical industry, pediatric lead testing, heavy metals analyses and courier delivery. The Product Sales segment, which includes POC (point of care) disposable diagnostics devices, consists of MEDTOX Diagnostics Inc. Products manufactured include easy to use, inexpensive, on-site drug tests such as PROFILE^®-II, PROFILE^®-II A, PROFILE-II ER^®, and VERDICT^®-II, in addition to a variety of agricultural testing products. MEDTOX Diagnostics Inc. also provides contract manufacturing services in its Food and Drug Administration/Good Manufacturing Practices (FDA/GMP) facility.

The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately, as each business requires different products, services and marketing strategies.

In evaluating financial performance, management focuses on income from operations as a segment’s measure of profit or loss.

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2004		March 31, 2003
Laboratory Services:
Revenues	$	10,218	$	9,534
Depreciation and amortization		577		590
Income from operations		715		1
Segment assets		41,145		41,810
Capital expenditures for segment assets		1,394		231
Product Sales:
Revenues	$	3,365	$	2,937
Depreciation and amortization		143		123
Income from operations		350		65
Segment assets		7,252		6,838
Capital expenditures for segment assets		98		246

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(In thousands)	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2004			March 31, 2003
Corporate (unallocated):
Other expense	$	(398	)	$	(393	)
Deferred tax assets, net		9,082			9,337
Company:
Revenues	$	13,583		$	12,471
Depreciation and amortization		720			713
Income from operations		1,065			66
Other expense		(398	)		(393	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		667			(327	)
Total assets		57,732			57,985
Capital expenditures for assets		1,492			477

The following is a summary of revenues from external customers for each group of services provided within the Laboratory Services segment:

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2004		March 31, 2003
Workplace drugs-of-abuse testing	$	6,481	$	5,696
Other Specialty Laboratory Services		3,737		3,838
	$	10,218	$	9,534

The following is a summary of revenues from external customers for each group of products and services provided within the Product Sales segment:

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2004		March 31, 2003
POC on site testing products	$	2,802	$	2,550
Contract manufacturing services		472		308
Other diagnostic products		91		79
	$	3,365	$	2,937

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3. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

(In thousands)	March 31, 2004		December 31, 2003
Raw materials	$	934	$	1,082
Work in process		581		533
Finished goods		524		535
Supplies, including off-site inventory		1,475		1,414
	$	3,514	$	3,564

4.     EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

(In thousands, except share and per share data)	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2004		March 31, 2003
Net income (loss) (A)	$	414	$	(203	)
Weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding (B)		4,977,229		4,912,736
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants computed based on
the treasury stock method using average market price		171,796		--
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding (C)		5,149,025		4,912,736
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (A/B)	$	0.08	$	(0.04	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (A/C)	$	0.08	$	(0.04	)

Options and warrants to purchase 960,912 and 1,559,355 shares of common stock were outstanding during the first three months of 2004 and 2003, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares, or because they were antidilutive in 2003 due to the net loss.

9

5. INCOME TAXES

At December 31, 2003, the Company had federal operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) of approximately $27.9 million, which are available to offset taxable income in 2004 through 2023. In addition, at December 31, 2003 the Company had state NOLs of approximately $10.8 million, which are available to offset taxable income in 2004 through 2029. For financial reporting purposes, a valuation allowance has been recorded to offset deferred tax assets that, more likely than not, will not be realized based on the Company’s projected future taxable income, the timing of expiring NOLs, and the Company’s tax planning strategies. Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code restricts the annual utilization of certain NOLs incurred prior to a change in ownership. Although the Section 382 limitation is not expected to impair the realization of these NOLs, other factors could, such as projected future taxable income, the timing of expiring NOLs, and the Company’s tax planning strategies.

6. CONTINGENCIES

Leases — The Company leases offices and facilities and office equipment under certain operating leases, which expire on various dates through March 2016. Under the terms of the facility leases, a pro rata share of operating expenses and real estate taxes are charged as additional rent.

Legal — The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit commenced on March 31, 2004 in Ramsey County District Court in Minnesota. The plaintiffs are four shareholders of the corporation from which the Company purchased its laboratory business in 1996. The complaint alleges that the Company breached an obligation to pay certain tax liabilities of the plaintiffs. The Company has been granted an extension of time to respond to the complaint, but believes that the plaintiffs’ claim is without merit and plans to defend the matter vigorously. The Company currently believes that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business activities, none of which, in the opinion of management, are expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

10

Item 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT FACTORS
THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER
FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, readers of this document and any document incorporated by reference herein, are advised that this document and documents incorporated by reference into this document contain both statements of historical facts and forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward looking statements. Examples of forward looking statements include, but are not limited to (i) projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure and other financial items, (ii) statements of the plans and objectives of the Company or its management or Board of Directors, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers, suppliers, competitors or regulatory authorities, (iii) statements of future economic performance, and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about the Company or its business.

This document and any documents incorporated by reference herein also identify important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward looking statements. The factors that could affect our actual results include the following:

o increased competition, including price competition

o general economic and business conditions, both nationally and internationally

o changes in business strategy or development plans

o technological, evolving industry standards, or other problems that could delay the sale of our products

o risks and uncertainties with respect to our patents and proprietary rights including:

o lack of meaningful protection from claims of any patents issued to the Company

o other companies challenging our patents

o patents issued to other companies that may harm our ability to do business

o other companies designing around technologies we have developed

o our inability to obtain appropriate licenses from third parties

o our inability to protect our trade secrets

o risk of infringement upon the proprietary rights of others

o our inability to prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights

o our inability to obtain sufficient financing to continue to expand operations

o changes in demand for products and services by our customers

11

o our failure to obtain and retain new customers and alliance partners, or a reduction in tests ordered or specimens submitted by existing customers

o adverse results in litigation matters

o our ability to attract and retain experienced and qualified personnel

o losses due to bad debt

The cautionary statements made pursuant to the Private Litigation Securities Reform Act of 1995 above and elsewhere by the Company should not be construed as exhaustive or as any admission regarding the adequacy of disclosures made by the Company prior to the effective date of such Act. Forward looking statements are beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases the Company cannot predict what factors would cause results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward looking statements.

General

MEDTOX Scientific, Inc. (formerly EDITEK, Inc.), a Delaware corporation, was organized in September 1986. MEDTOX Scientific, Inc. and its subsidiaries, MEDTOX Laboratories, Inc., MEDTOX Diagnostics, Inc., and New Brighton Business Center, LLC are referred to herein as “the Company.” The Company is engaged primarily in two distinct, but very much related businesses. The business of forensic and clinical laboratory services is conducted by MEDTOX Laboratories, Inc. at its facility in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the business of manufacturing and distribution of diagnostic devices is executed by MEDTOX Diagnostics, Inc. from its facility in Burlington, North Carolina.

The Company has two reportable segments: “Laboratory Services” conducted by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, MEDTOX Laboratories, Inc. and New Brighton Business Center, LLC and “Products Sales” conducted by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary MEDTOX Diagnostics, Inc. Laboratory Services include forensic toxicology (primarily workplace drugs-of-abuse testing) and Specialty Laboratory Services, including clinical toxicology, clinical testing for the pharmaceutical industry (central laboratory services, bioanalytical and pharmacokinetic testing), and analysis of heavy and trace metals. In addition, the Laboratory Services segment provides logistical support, data management and overall program management services. Product Sales include sales of a variety of on-site screening products and contract manufacturing. For financial information relating to the Company’s segments, see Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, Laboratory Services revenue accounted for 75.2% of the Company’s revenues, compared with 76.4% for the same period in 2003. Revenue from Product Sales accounted for 24.8% of the Company’s revenues compared with 23.6% for the same period in 2003.

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Critical Accounting Policies

The Company has identified the policies outlined below as critical to understanding its business and results of operations. The listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on the Company’s business operations is discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations where such policies affect reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Note that the preparation of this Form 10-Q requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.

The Company’s critical accounting policies are as follows:

Accounts Receivable:
The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customers’ current credit worthiness, as determined by management’s review of their current credit information. The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based upon the Company’s historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that have been identified. While such credit losses have generally been within the Company’s historical expectations and the provisions established, the Company cannot guarantee that it will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that have occurred in the past. The Company’s consolidated trade accounts receivable balance as of March 31, 2004 was $9.6 million, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.4 million.

Some of the Company’s laboratory services revenues for certain types of tests are billed to third-party payors including insurance companies, state Medicaid and Medicare agencies. These payors pay for such services at established amounts, which are typically lower than gross amounts billed by the Company. However, the tests are sometimes billed directly to patients or other parties and paid at the gross amount billed for these tests. In addition, billings for the tests are occasionally re-billed to alternative payors in situations where incorrect billing information was submitted to the Company by the customer. The Company estimates a discount on the billings for these tests, and recognizes revenue and related accounts receivable at a net amount, after discount, in order to state revenue and accounts receivable at the amount expected to be paid. While the Company believes that estimated discounts and the related net revenue and net accounts receivable from these testing services are materially correct, there can be differences in amounts ultimately paid compared to estimated amounts. These differences are recorded upon payment and may affect previously recorded amounts. The Company considers historical discounts when estimating future discounts on a monthly basis.

Off-Site Supplies Inventory:
Off-site supplies represent collection kits and forms located at collections sites throughout the United States used by Laboratory Services’ customers to submit specimens for testing services. At March 31, 2004, off-site inventory was $0.7 million. The process for valuing off-site inventory involves significant assumptions regarding the average time that a collection site uses the inventory, as well as the amount of inventory expected to be scrapped.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer amortized, but are instead reviewed for impairment at least annually and between annual test dates in certain circumstances. The Company performs its annual impairment test for goodwill and other intangible assets in the fourth quarter of each year. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill and other intangible assets, projections regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors are made to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these estimates or related projections change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges for these assets in future periods. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, no circumstances occurred that required an impairment charge.

Accounting for Income Taxes:
As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and tax planning strategies, and to the extent management believes that recovery is not likely, the Company must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent the Company increases or decreases the valuation allowance in a period, the Company must include an expense or benefit within the tax provision in the consolidated statement of operations.

Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets. The Company’s deferred tax assets primarily consist of certain net operating losses (NOLs) carried forward. At March 31, 2004, the Company has a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $1.4 million, which represents the portion of its NOL carryforwards that will more likely than not expire unused in 2004 and future years. The valuation allowance is based on management’s estimate of taxable income, the period over which NOLs will be recoverable, and tax planning strategies. In the future, subsequent revisions to the estimated net realizable value of these deferred tax assets could cause the provision for income taxes to vary significantly from period to period, although the Company’s cash payments would remain unaffected until the benefit of the NOL is completely utilized or expires unused.

Results of Operations

Total revenues for the first quarter of 2004 increased 9% over the first quarter of 2003, driven primarily by strong sample volume from both new and existing workplace and occupational health clients. Gross margin improved in the Laboratory Services segment due to increased revenue, as well as improved operating efficiencies realized from the Company’s LEAN projects. In the Diagnostic segment, gross margin was positively impacted by increased production levels. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales were down in the first quarter of 2004, reflecting the increase in revenue on flat quarter over quarter expenses. The following table sets forth the percentages of total revenues represented by certain items reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations:

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	Three Months Ended,
	March 31, 2004			March 31, 2003
Revenues		100	.0%		100	.0%
Cost of revenues		57	.7		62	.0
Gross margin		42	.3		38	.0
Operating expenses
Selling, general, and administrative		31	.4		34	.2
Research and development		3	.0		3	.3
		34	.4		37	.5
Income from operations		7	.9		0	.5
Other expense		(2	.9)		(3	.1)
Income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense)		5	.0		(2	.6)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(1	.9)		1	.0
Net income (loss)		3	.1%		(1	.6)%

Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2003

Revenues

Revenues increased 9% to $13.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, driven by a $0.7 million, or 7% increase in Laboratory Services revenues and a $0.4 million, or 15% increase in Product Sales revenues.

Laboratory Services revenues were positively impacted by a 16% increase in workplace drugs of abuse sample volume from both new and existing workplace and occupational health clients. The increased sample volume was slightly offset by a lower average price. Revenues from the Company’s Specialty Laboratory Services declined 3% in the quarter.

In the Product Sales segment, sales of POC on site testing products, which incorporates the PROFILE^®-II, PROFILE-II ER^®, PROFILE^®-II A and VERDICT^®-II on-site test kits and other ancillary products for the detection of abused substances, increased 10% to $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2004. This growth reflected strong sales of PROFILE^®-II products, including the PROFILE-II ER^® device. The PROFILE-II ER^® device, targeted at hospital laboratories for emergency response screening in drugs-of-abuse overdose situations, continues to grow, increasing 50% in the first quarter of 2004. Sales within the VERDICT^®-II product line to government clients for probation, parole and rehabilitation were down 23% from the prior year period. The economic uncertainty and budget constraints that the Company’s government clients are experiencing resulted in lower purchasing levels among these clients. The Company anticipates that the government sector will continue to be a challenging environment, and will continue to pursue new sales efforts that the Company believes will improve this portion of its business going forward.

Product sales from agricultural diagnostic products were flat due to level purchases from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Company’s products. The USDA’s needs for the Company’s products vary from year-to-year and sales to the USDA are expected to fluctuate accordingly. Sales of contract manufacturing services, microbiological and associated products increased 53% to $0.5 million in the quarter and were positively impacted by the timing of orders from existing clients.

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Gross Profit

Consolidated gross margin increased to 42.3% of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 from 38.0% of revenues for the same period in 2003, driven by improvement in both Laboratory Services and Product Sales gross margins.

Laboratory Services gross margin was 36.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2004, up from 32.2% for the same period in 2003. The margin improvement was attributable to increased revenue, as well as improved operating efficiencies realized from the Company’s LEAN projects initiated in 2003. As a result of LEAN initiatives, the increased sample volume in the quarter was processed and tested with lower overall direct labor expense. Gross margin from Product Sales improved to 61.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2004, from 57.0% in the comparable period of 2003, largely due to the impact of fixed-type costs on increased production levels.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $4.3 million in both the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, improving to 31.4% of revenues, in the first quarter of 2004, compared to 34.2% of revenues in the first quarter of 2003. The lower rate reflects the increase in revenue on flat quarter over quarter expenses. In addition, the improvement reflects the impact of LEAN projects, staff reductions and expense control measures initiated at the Laboratory Services segment in 2003. In the first quarter of 2004, the Company launched the first two LEAN projects within the Product Sales segment. The Company is currently in the planning process for additional LEAN projects in the Laboratory Services segment.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded a tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2004 based upon an effective tax rate of 38%. At March 31, 2004, the Company has a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $1.4 million, which represents the portion of its net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards that will more likely than not expire unused in 2004 and future years. Should operating results for the remainder of 2004 and future years fail to meet expectations, the valuation allowance against the Company’s NOL carryforwards and the related deferred tax asset may require adjustment in future periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The working capital requirements of the Company have been funded primarily by cash received from bank and debt financing and the sale of equity securities.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $0.7 million for the same period of 2003. The increase was primarily due to an improvement in operating results and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable.

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Accounts payable and accrued expenses increased $0.6 million during the first quarter of 2004, compared to a decrease of $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2003. The significant decrease in the first quarter of 2003 was primarily due to a high level of accounts payable as of December 31, 2002, with subsequent payments on such outstanding balances during the first quarter.

Accounts receivable increased $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2004 compared to an increase of $0.5 million in the same period of 2003. The significant increase in 2004 was primarily due to strong sales during the last month of the quarter.

Net cash used in investing activities, consisting of capital expenditures, was $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to $0.5 million in the same period of 2003. The increased spending in 2004 reflects equipment purchased and costs incurred in redesigning the laboratory operations to improve operating efficiencies.

Net cash used by financing activities was $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $1.6 million in the prior year period. The change was partially due to a reduction in the use of the revolving credit facility in 2004. In addition, in the first quarter of 2003, the Company received proceeds from long-term debt of $1.0 million to finance capital equipment purchases. The Company made payments on long-term debt of $0.6 million and $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The Company has a Credit Security Agreement (the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement) with Wells Fargo Business Credit, Inc. (Wells Fargo). The Wells Fargo Credit Agreement, as amended, consists of (i) a term loan of $3.185 million bearing interest at prime + 1.5% and (ii) a revolving line of credit, payable on demand, of not more than $8.0 million or 85% of the Company’s eligible trade accounts receivable bearing interest at prime + 1%; and (iii) a capex note of up to $3.5 million for the purchase of capital equipment bearing interest at prime + 0.75% to 1.25%. According to the terms of the agreement, the capex note may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and is generally done so on an annual basis. In March 2004, the Company and Wells Fargo amended the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement to allow for borrowing under the capex note of up to $1.5 million for the purchase of capital equipment bearing interest at prime + 1.5%.

The Wells Fargo Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain financial covenants, including a minimum annual debt service coverage ratio and a minimum quarterly pre-tax net income level. It also sets a maximum level for capital expenditures, as well as a limitation on the year-over-year increase in compensation of any director, shareholder or consultant. At March 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement.

The Company is relying on expected positive cash flow from operations and its line of credit to fund its future working capital and asset purchases. The amount available on the revolving line of credit is based primarily on the receivables of the Company and, as such, varies with accounts receivable. As of March 31, 2004, the Company had total borrowing capacity of $6.7 million on its line of credit, of which $5.5 million was borrowed, leaving a net availability of $1.2 million and a cash balance of $0.2 million.

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In the short term, the Company believes that the aforementioned capital will be sufficient to fund the Company’s planned operations through 2004. While there can be no assurance that the available capital will be sufficient to fund the future operations of the Company beyond 2004, the Company believes that future profitable operations, as well as access to additional capital through debt or equity financings, will be the primary means for funding the operations of the Company for the long term.

The Company continues to follow a plan which includes (i) aggressively monitoring and controlling costs, (ii) increasing revenue from sales of the Company’s existing products and services (iii) developing new products and services, as well as (iv) continuing to selectively pursue synergistic acquisitions to increase the Company’s critical mass. However, there can be no assurance that costs can be controlled, revenues can be increased, financing may be obtained, acquisitions successfully consummated, or that the Company will be profitable.

Disclosures about Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table aggregates all contractual commitments and commercial obligations that affect the Company’s financial condition and liquidity position as of March 31, 2004:

(In thousands)	Payments Due by Period
	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		4-5 years		More than 5 years
Long-term debt	$	9,675	$	2,984	$	1,512	$	456	$	4,723
Capital lease obligations		168		75		76		17		--
Operating leases		5,535		817		1,150		836		2,732
Total contractual obligations	$	15,378	$	3,876	$	2,738	$	1,309	$	7,455

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

The Company does not maintain any off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or others that are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The impact of inflation and changing prices on the Company has been primarily limited to salary, laboratory and operating supplies and rent increases and has historically not been material to the Company’s operations. In the future, the Company may not be able to increase the prices of laboratory testing by an amount sufficient to cover the cost of inflation, although the Company is responding to these concerns by refocusing the laboratory operations towards higher margin testing (including clinical and pharmaceutical trials) as well as emphasizing the marketing, sales and operations of the Product Sales business.

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Seasonality

The Company believes that the laboratory testing business is subject to seasonal fluctuations in pre-employment screening. These seasonal fluctuations include reduced volume in the summer months, year-end holiday periods, and other major holidays. In addition, inclement weather may have a negative impact on volume thereby reducing net revenues and cash flow.

Impact of New Accounting Standards

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” as revised in December 2003 (FIN 46R).  FIN 46R addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities and significantly changes the consolidation application of consolidation policies to variable interest entities and, thus improves comparability between enterprises engaged in similar activities when those activities are conducted through variable interest entities.  The consolidation requirements of FIN 46R apply to variable interest entities as of March 31, 2004. The Company does not hold an interest in any variable interest entities.

Item 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.

There have been no material changes in our market risk during the quarter ended March 31, 2004. For additional information refer to Item 7A of our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, regarding the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the rules of the Securities Exchange Commission.

Changes in Internal Controls.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II	OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.   See Part I, Note 6
ITEM 2	CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.   Inapplicable
ITEM 3	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.   Inapplicable
ITEM 4	SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITIES HOLDERS.   Inapplicable
ITEM 5	OTHER INFORMATION.   Inapplicable
ITEM 6	EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
	a.  Exhibits: See Exhibit Index following signature page
	b.  Reports on Form 8-K:
	On February 3, 2004, the Company filed a Form 8-K dated February 2, 2004, announcing that on February 2, 2004, Harry Alcorn, Jr., Pharm.D., resigned from the Company's Board of Directors. Dr. Alcorn cited his current workload as limiting his ability to contribute as a Director of the Company.
	On March 2, 2004, the Company filed a Form 8-K dated March 2, 2004, announcing results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2003.
	On March 3, 2004, the Company filed a Form 8-K dated March 2, 2004, stating it held its quarterly conference call and announced results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2003.

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SIGNATURES

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

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Richard J. Braun	President, Chief Executive Officer, and	May 5, 2004
Richard J. Braun	Chairman of the Board of Directors
	(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Kevin J. Wiersma	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	May 5, 2004
Kevin J. Wiersma	(Principal Financial Officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

MEDTOX SCIENTIFIC, INC.

FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2004

Exhibit number	Description
31.1	Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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