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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KibvOor4KyVF8GMeBtgzcDYXgJhpozQjXpBeF5cEmGShTO8Kh55RYSH3Rejg+w1y
 JMEO++Fi+TXyxSyVSZm1eg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-06-012314.txt : 20060531
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-06-012314.hdr.sgml : 20060531
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060531174546
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-06-012314
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060417
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060531
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060531

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			METROLOGIC INSTRUMENTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000815910
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, NEC [3577]
		IRS NUMBER:				221866172
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		COLES ROAD AT RTE 42
		CITY:			BLACKWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08012
		BUSINESS PHONE:		609-228-8100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		COLES ROAD ROUTE 42
		CITY:			BLACKWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08012

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Zirnkilton Frank C Jr
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001364595

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24712
		FILM NUMBER:		06877867

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		856-228-8100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		90 COLES ROAD
		CITY:			BLACKWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08012
</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>2006-04-17</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000815910</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>METROLOGIC INSTRUMENTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MTLG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001364595</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Zirnkilton Frank C Jr</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>90 COLES ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BLACKWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08012</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>E.V.P. &amp; Chief Admin. Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/Frank C. Zirnkilton/</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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