SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

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

       Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 28, 2004

                                  ASHLAND INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    Kentucky
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

              1-2918                                         61-0122250
       (Commission File Number)                          (I.R.S. Employer
                                                        Identification No.)


   50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington, Kentucky          41012-0391
           (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)


           P.O. Box 391, Covington, Kentucky                 41012-0391
                   (Mailing Address)                         (Zip Code)


        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333


     Check the  appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions:

[  ]     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
         (17 CFR 2230.425)
[  ]     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
         (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
         Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
         Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






Item 8.01.  Other Events

     As previously disclosed, APAC-Missouri, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Ashland Inc., and one current  APAC-Missouri,  Inc.  employee
were each indicted on a single charge alleging a violation of U.S.  federal
antitrust  laws in  connection  with a single  project  bid by the  Central
Division of APAC-Missouri, Inc. in 2000. Trial of this matter was conducted
in the United States  District Court for the Western  District of Missouri,
with the jury returning a not guilty verdict as to both APAC-Missouri, Inc.
and the current APAC-Missouri, Inc. employee on October 28, 2004.

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                                 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.

                                                      ASHLAND INC.
                                          -----------------------------------
                                                      (Registrant)



    Date:  October 29, 2004                      /s/ J. Marvin Quin
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Name:     J. Marvin Quin
                                          Title:    Senior Vice President
                                                    and Chief Financial Officer


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