THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                                            IncomeNotes(SM)
                       With Maturities of Nine Months or More from Date of Issue

Registration No. 333-109793
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Pricing Supplement No. 43
(To Prospectus dated November 17, 2003,
and Prospectus Supplement dated November 17, 2003)
Trade Date: October 12, 2004
Issue Date: October 15, 2004
The date of this Pricing Supplement is October 12, 2004



Fixed Rate Notes
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                                                                                                              Interest
                                                  Maturity   Price to   Discounts &                            Payment
   CUSIP#               Interest Rate               Date       Public   Commissions  Reallowance    Dealer    Frequency
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 
  07387EGF8                 5.57%                10/15/2029   100.00%      2.50%        0.350%      98.00%      Semi
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                                         Subject to Redemption
                                         ---------------------
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                    First
                  Interest                                                                     Aggregate
First Interest     Payment   Survivor's                                                        Principal
 Payment Date      Amount      Option    Yes/No         Date and Terms of Redemption            Amount      Net Proceeds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     
   4/15/2005       $27.85        Yes       Yes   Commencing on 10/15/2009 and on the 15th       $767,000       $747,825
                                                 of each month thereafter until Maturity,
                                                 the Notes may be called in whole at par at
                                                 the option of the Company on ten calendar
                                                 days notice.
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The distribution of IncomeNotes will conform to the requirements set forth in
Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.