Exhibit 15.1

August 10, 2004

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street
N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549

Commissioners:

We are aware that our report dated July 26, 2004 on our review of interim financial information of Varian Medical Systems, Inc. as of July 2, 2004 and for the three- and nine-month periods ended July 2, 2004 and June 27, 2003 and included in the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter then ended is incorporated by reference in its Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-75531) dated April 1, 1999, its Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-57006) dated March 14, 2001, its Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-57008) dated March 14, 2001, its Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-57010) dated March 14, 2001, and its Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-57012) as amended on June 20, 2001.

Yours very truly,

/S/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP