-----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,
 JssPG6sP6/FhdUTk5hEBR0+6CYiPQSQeO6I2hgXDv36zpvitXLnfnmXsdbj0UN/J
 LPLK3lRBjhqWvibEp7sRbg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000777001-03-000027.txt : 20030723
<SEC-HEADER>0000777001-03-000027.hdr.sgml : 20030723
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030602163555
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000777001-03-000027
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030530
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030602

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MACK WILLIAM L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001051774
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08989
		FILM NUMBER:		03728375

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11 COMMERCE DR
		STREET 2:		1ST FLOOR
		CITY:			CRANFORD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07016
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9082728000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11 COMMERCE DRIVE
		STREET 2:		1ST FLOOR
		CITY:			CRANFORD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07016

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000777001
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211]
		IRS NUMBER:				133286161
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE METROTECH NORTH
		STREET 2:		9TH FL
		CITY:			BROOKLYN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3476439862

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE METROTECH NORTH
		STREET 2:		9TH FL.
		CITY:			BROOKLYN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>mac130.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-05-30</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000777001</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BSC</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
		<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001051774</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MACK WILLIAM L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>1</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>0</isOther>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Non-Emp. Dir. Stock Options (Rt. to Buy)</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>77.2700</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-05-30</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<deemedExecutionDate>
			<value>2003-05-30</value>
		</deemedExecutionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>242</value>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>0</value>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>A</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>2003-11-30</value>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>2013-05-31</value>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>242</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>242</value>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<footnotes>
	</footnotes>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>By: William L. Mack</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-06-02</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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