-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EiZvgsrHaaTP8KpfKHypWj5ZW2pWQnh+MEIojKnxG8N2bnQu0rd8ni4zm2rUUDkD
 d8YLczbQ8rvtL9r8XAN3Gg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-012133.txt : 20031209
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-012133.hdr.sgml : 20031209
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031209142954
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-012133
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031121
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031209

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MIDDLEBY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000769520
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REFRIGERATION & SERVICE INDUSTRY MACHINERY [3580]
		IRS NUMBER:				363352497
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8477413300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WHITMAN LAURA B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001041582

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09973
		FILM NUMBER:		031044611

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		802 PARK AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125700927

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		802 PARK AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-11-21</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000769520</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MIDDLEBY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>midd</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001041582</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WHITMAN LAURA B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MIDDLEBY CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ELGIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60120</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-11-21</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2995</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>32.50</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2995</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>By trust for benefit of spouse and others</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">The transaction reported in this Form 4 relates to shares of common stock of The Middleby Corporation that were acquired by a trust whose beneficiaries include reporting person's spouse. Reporting person's spouse is not the sole beneficiary of such trust. The filing of this report is not an admission that reporting person is the beneficial owner of these securities for purposes of Section 16 under the Securitis Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder or for any other purpose.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Laura B. Whitman</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-09</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----