UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                -----------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                  July 8, 2004
                Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

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                          VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

       State of Delaware                 000-20931                 94-2976937
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                           Identification Number)

                           1910 Innovation Park Drive
                                Tucson, AZ 85737
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (520) 887-2155
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                       N/A
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

         (c) Exhibits

Exhibit No.         Description
-----------------   ------------------------------------------------------------
99.1                Press Release, dated as of July 8, 2004


Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure (pursuant to Item 12)


         In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Release No.
33-8216, the following information, which is intended to be furnished under Item
12, "Results of Operations and Financial Condition," is instead being furnished
under Item 9, "Regulation FD Disclosure." This information shall not be deemed
"filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be
expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

         On Month Day, 2004, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. ("Ventana") issued a
press release regarding Ventana's results of operations for the quarter ended
December 31, 2003, and disclosing material non-public information. The press
release is attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and is incorporated herein by
reference.


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                         VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

                         By: / s / NICHOLAS MALDEN
                             ---------------------
                             Nicholas Malden
                             Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
                             Secretary


Date:  July 8, 2004