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): October 21, 2004

Ascential Software Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	000-15325	94-3011736
(State or Other Juris- diction of Incorporation	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

50 Washington Street
Westborough, Massachusetts	01581
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (508) 366-3888

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

     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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

     o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

     o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

     o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
	Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
SIGNATURE
EX-99.1 PRESS RELEASE DATED OCTOBER 21, 2004

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

     On October 21, 2004, Ascential Software Corporation issued a press release pre-announcing its financial results for the third quarter of 2004. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

     The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)	Exhibits
	See Exhibit Index attached hereto.

SIGNATURE

     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 hereunto duly authorized.

	ASCENTIAL SOFTWARE CORPORATION
Date: October 20, 2004	By:	/s/ ROBERT C. MCBRIDE
		Robert C. McBride Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release dated October 21, 2004