UNITED STATES
                     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): June 29, 2005

                                ASHLAND INC.
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                  Kentucky
               (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

                  1-2918                                      61-0122250
         (Commission File Number)                          (I.R.S. Employer
                                                          Identification No.)

50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington, Kentucky              41012-0391
   (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

      P.O. Box 391, Covington, Kentucky                       41012-0391
              (Mailing Address)                               (Zip Code)

     Registrant's telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333


Check the  appropriate  box below if the Form 8-K  filing  is  intended  to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions:

[X] Written  communications  pursuant to Rule 425 under the  Securities Act
    (17 CFR 2230.425)
[ ] Soliciting  material  pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))







Item 8.01.  Other Events

         Ashland  Inc.  ("Ashland")  announced  today  that  at  a  special
shareholders  meeting held today, its shareholders  approved the previously
announced  agreement to transfer Ashland's  38-percent interest in Marathon
Ashland  Petroleum LLC and two other businesses to Marathon Oil Corporation
in a transaction valued at approximately $3.7 billion. The other businesses
are Ashland's maleic anhydride business and 60 Valvoline Instant Oil Change
(VIOC) centers in Michigan and northwest  Ohio.  Details of the shareholder
vote and related issues are included in the attached  press release,  which
is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)      Exhibits

99.1     Press Release dated June 29, 2005







                                 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.

                                               ASHLAND INC.
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                               (Registrant)



    Date:  June 29, 2005         /s/ J. Marvin Quin
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Name:     J. Marvin Quin
                                   Title:    Senior Vice President,
                                             Chief Financial Officer







                               EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1     Press Release dated June 29, 2005