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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-013090.txt : 20031219
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-013090.hdr.sgml : 20031219
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031219170653
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-013090
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031219

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DANZIGER THOMAS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001272091

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09973
		FILM NUMBER:		031065882

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CL DANZIGER
		STREET 2:		450 PARK AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-09</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000769520</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MIDDLEBY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>midd</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001272091</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DANZIGER THOMAS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O DANZIGER AND DANZIGER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>405 PARK AVE SUITE 1104</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-09</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1898974</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1898974</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>Br William F Whitman Declaration of Trust</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">For tax planning purposes, each of William F. Whitman, Jr and his spouse assigned certain shares of the common stock of The Middleby Corporation that they beneficially own to two trusts for which reporting person serves as trustee. The Whitmans, the trusts and the trusts trustee did not receive pr pay any consideration in connection with such assignment. Under the terms of each trust, Mr Whitman and his spouse have the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such securities within 60 days of the transfer. Reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities. Furthermore, 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 Securities and Exchange act of 1934 amd the rules and regulations therunder or for any other purpose.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Includes 255,300 shares of common stock deemed to be beneficially owned by a trust whose beneficiary is the spouse of William F. Whitman Jr.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Thomas Danziger</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-19</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
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