8-K

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                       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): December 5, 1997

                             VARIAN ASSOCIATES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

   Delaware                         1-7598                  94-2359345

(State or other                (Commission File           (IRS Employer 
jurisdiction of                     Number)             Identification No.)
incorporation)                                                         

3050 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA                                    94304-1000
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(415) 493-4000

                                  Inapplicable
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Item 5. Other Events.

On December 5, 1997, Varian Associates, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Registrant"), purchased the radiotherapy service and support operation of GE
Medical Systems, a division of General Electric Company. A copy of the
Registrant's press release announcing this event is attached hereto as Exhibit
99 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

        (c) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number   Exhibit Description

99               Press Release of Varian Associates, Inc. issued on December 5,
                 1997.


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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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                       VARIAN ASSOCIATES, INC.
                                            (Registrant)

Date:  December 9, 1997                By: /S/ Joseph B. Phair
                                           ----------------------------
                                               Joseph B. Phair
                                           Vice President, General
                                            Counsel and Secretary

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number   Exhibit Description

99               Press Release of Varian Associates, Inc. issued on December 5, 
                 1997.

EX-99

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Exhibit Number 99:

VARIAN ASSOCIATES COMPLETES PURCHASE GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS'
RADIOTHERAPY SERVICE AND SUPPORT ORGANIZATION

        PALO ALTO, Calif., - December 5, 1997 - Varian Associates, Inc., today
announced that it has completed its acquisition of GE Medical Systems'
radiotherapy service and support organization. The purchase price was not
disclosed.

        The transaction covers all GE Medical Systems' radiotherapy service and
support activities for an installed base of more than 400 medical linear
accelerator systems and 340 treatment planning products at hospitals and clinics
worldwide. The unit's current work force of approximately 160 service
professionals, technical support personnel, and support staff has transferred to
similar positions with Varian.

        The operation will continue to be based in leased facilities in Buc,
France, near Paris, where about a quarter of the employees are located, said
Executive Vice President Richard M. Levy, who heads Varian's health care
business. According to Levy, field office locations will also remain essentially
the same, so there should be no disruption of service or support activity for
customers.

        Levy said Pierre Anthouard, who served as assistant general manager of
GE Medical Systems for five years, has joined Varian and will head the newly
acquired unit as Managing Director, Varian Oncology Services Generale.


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        "The purchase is highly complementary, and will have benefits for
customers as well as employees," said Levy. "Joining Varian offers these new
employees the opportunity to grow within a larger and more specialized service
organization. The move also simplifies life for customers with both Varian and
GE equipment, who can have their requirements met through a single source. It's
truly a win-win situation for everyone involved."