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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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 Gdmb05u8PIsB0uEAYMkUlw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001242661-04-000008.txt : 20040205
<SEC-HEADER>0001242661-04-000008.hdr.sgml : 20040205
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040205164707
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001242661-04-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040203
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040205

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DUCHENE TODD M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001248745

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10920
		FILM NUMBER:		04570623

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC
		STREET 2:		LIBERTY LANE
		CITY:			HAMPTON
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03842

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000880430
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-PROFESSIONAL & COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES [5040]
		IRS NUMBER:				020451017
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LIBERTY LANE
		CITY:			HAMPTON
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03842
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6039265911

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LIBERTY LANE
		CITY:			LIBEHAMPTON
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03842
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001248745d20040205f4f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000880430</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FSH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001248745</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DUCHENE TODD M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>LIBERTY LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMPTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>03842</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP-General Counsel &amp; Secretary</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>12580</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>44.8252</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The sale of shares was accomplished pursuant to a 10b5-1(c) sales plan adopted on December 2, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Sales price shown is the aggregate sales price for all shares sold on February 3, 2004, actual sales denominations are as follows: 180 shares at $45.5000; 600 shares at $45.3100; 300 shares at $45.2300; 100 shares at $45.2100; 1,000 shares at $45.2000; 100 shares at $45.1900; 300 shares at $45.1800; 500 shares at $45.1700; 300 shares at $45.1500; 100 shares at $45.1100; 600 shares at $45.1000; 200 shares at $45.0900; 100 shares at $45.0700; 200 shares at $45.0500; 100 shares at $45.0200; 300 shares at $45.0100; 100 shares at $45.0000; 100 shares at $44.9500; 100 shares at $44.8800; 500 shares at $44.8600; 100 shares at $44.8500; 100 shares at $44.8200; 100 shares at $44.8000; 300 shares at $44.7900; 100 shares at $44.7800; 500 shares at $44.7700; 400 shares at $44.7600; 100 shares at $44.6800; 200 shares at $44.6700; 200 shares at $44.6500; 100 shares at $44.6400; 100 shares at $44.6200; 100 shares at $44.5900; 200 shares at $44.5600; 100 shares at $44.5500; 100 shares at $44.5400; 
600 shares at $44.5300; 300 shares at $44.5200; 400 shares at $44.5000; 300 shares at $44.4800; 100 shares at $44.4700; 300 shares at $44.4600; 400 shares at $44.4500; 200 shares at $44.4300; 200 shares at $44.4200; 200 shares at $44.4100; 400 shares at $44.4000; 100 shares at $44.3900; 200 shares at $44.3800; 100 shares at $44.3700; 200 shares at $44.3600.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Todd M DuChene</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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