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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Jq7QG83cDBAwWqvNpxv2JJNEAdNxTKhTNTsV3O+eQN6JBkNIEWe6i6B9Dsm1ZxRG
 CKKu5hMU6Ro9x2NO+gGCYQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000007694-04-000101.txt : 20040715
<SEC-HEADER>0000007694-04-000101.hdr.sgml : 20040715
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040715143439
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000007694-04-000101
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040714
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040715

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ASHLAND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000007694
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [5160]
		IRS NUMBER:				610122250
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 E. RIVERCENTER BOULEVARD
		CITY:			COVINGTON
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41012
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6068153333

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 E. RIVERCENTER BOULEVARD
		CITY:			COVINGTON
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41012

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ASHLAND OIL INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ASHLAND OIL & REFINING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19700806

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LIGOCKI KATHLEEN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001261013

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-02918
		FILM NUMBER:		04915559

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O TOWER AUTOMOTIVE INC
		STREET 2:		5211 CASCADE RD S.E. #300
		CITY:			GRAND RAPIDS
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			49546
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6168021600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O TOWER AUTOMOTIVE INC
		STREET 2:		5211 CASCADE RD. S.E. #300
		CITY:			GRAND RAPIDS
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			49546
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001261013d20040715f3f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-14</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000007694</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ASHLAND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ASH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001261013</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LIGOCKI KATHLEEN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TOWER AUTOMOTIVE INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>27175 HAGGERTY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NOVI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48377</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kathleen  Ligocki</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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