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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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 CKD2jj0D2vS3z07UDZWC0w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950138-04-000031.txt : 20040120
<SEC-HEADER>0000950138-04-000031.hdr.sgml : 20040119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040120160926
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950138-04-000031
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040115
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KAHN J ALAN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001057414
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12302
		FILM NUMBER:		04532746

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		122 FIFTH AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10011

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		122 FIFTH AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10011

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARNES & NOBLE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000890491
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES [5940]
		IRS NUMBER:				061196501
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		122 FIFTH AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10011
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2126333300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		122 FIFTH AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10011
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>jan20kahn-4_ex.xml
<TEXT>
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        <issuerName>BARNES &amp; NOBLE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BKS</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerName>KAHN J ALAN</rptOwnerName>
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            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BARNES &amp; NOBLE, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>122 FIFTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10011</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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         <officerTitle>Pres B&amp;N Publishing Group</officerTitle>
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         <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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           <value>4800</value>
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         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>34.37</value>
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         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
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           <value>D</value>
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   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
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         <value>19.4375</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2004-01-15</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>30900</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>0</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>D</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2003-01-05</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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      <expirationDate>
         <value>2010-01-04</value>
      </expirationDate>
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         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
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 </derivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> Of these, options with respect to 18,197 shares vested on January 5, 2003 and the balance vested on January 5, 2004.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ J. Alan Kahn</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2004-01-20</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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