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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 F+qE0Pvmaz0rSqqSSckZvaUKvCi+eoeyhpjWuT0CtjhBg98IOnCCuhVN1pzHveBF
 QlIjfg7jZsx2ItncqjoxGA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001136264-03-000004.txt : 20030716
<SEC-HEADER>0001136264-03-000004.hdr.sgml : 20030716
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030716152509
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001136264-03-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030630
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030716

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARDIN JOSEPH S JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001136264
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12755
		FILM NUMBER:		03789256

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2515 MCKINNEY AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1200
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2143033400

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEAN FOODS CO/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000931336
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ICE CREAM & FROZEN DESSERTS [2024]
		IRS NUMBER:				752559681
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2515 MCKINNEY AVENUE LB 30
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1200
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2143033400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2515 MCKINNEY AVENUE LB 30
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1200
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SUIZA FOODS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19941013
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-06-30</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000931336</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DEAN FOODS CO/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DF</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001136264</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HARDIN JOSEPH S JR</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><nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-06-30</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1281</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>20525</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature
></nonDerivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">These are restricted shares issued under Dean's 1997 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan in payment of fees owed for services as an independent director.  All such shares are subject to a 3-year vesting period, with the first vesting occurring as of the date the shares were issued.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Shares have been adjusted to reflect 3-for-2 split on June 9, 2003.  The total shares held include 18,425 shares held direct by Mr. Hardin plus 2,100 shares held indirect by a Trust.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Joseph S. Hardin, Jr.</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-07-16</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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