-----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,
 LfLOWlpZQQWOB0M13SqdhL8n7WKUTY4c5AdtQnmTVMSNUtnOw1r8G8hi22Xbx9YZ
 YDagOXXYxBHVR78uXba6GA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-023589.txt : 20041217
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-023589.hdr.sgml : 20041217
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041217182052
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-023589
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041207
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041217
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041217

REPORTING-OWNER:	

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

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09973
		FILM NUMBER:		041212473

	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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-07</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <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>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1738974</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>As Trustee over two irrevocable trusts</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </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 Corporationthat they beneficially own to two trusts for which reporting person acts as trustee. The Whitmans, the trusts and the trusts trustee  did not receive or pay any consideration in connection with such assignment. Under the terms of each trust, Mr Whitman and his spousehave 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 and the rules and regulatins thereunder for any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 195,300 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>2004-12-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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