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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,
 GuHQIHdHr0sTZPBeQziOZb08haPZvXApkzSO/dELISqm7pekKPu7g6KPPv4ToyV4
 STFHTOrIuv0W45jhJuJ6dQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-013567.txt : 20031230
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-013567.hdr.sgml : 20031230
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031230194059
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-013567
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031221
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031230

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WHITMAN BARBARA K
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001274547

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09973
		FILM NUMBER:		031079047

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DR
		STREET 2:		C/O MIDDLEY CORP
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MIDDLEBY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000769520
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REFRIGERATION & SERVICE INDUSTRY MACHINERY [3580]
		IRS NUMBER:				363352497
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8477413300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-21</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000769520</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MIDDLEBY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>midd</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001274547</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WHITMAN BARBARA K</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MIDDLEBY CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ELGIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60120</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>536550</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
<nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>437250</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>Acting as trustee on behalf of son and daughter</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
<nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1643674</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>Spouse</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Represents a transfer of 218,625 common shares for no consideration from a trust for the benefit of W. Fifield Whitman III with Robert R. Henry acting as trustee to a trust for the benefit of W. Fifield Whitman III with Barbara K. Whitman acting as trustee and a transfer of 218,625 common shares for no consideration from a trust for the benefit of Laura B. Whitman with Robert R. Henry acting as trustee to a trust for the benefit of Laura B. Whitman with Barbara K. Whitman acting as trustee.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Reporting person owns 255,300 in trust for benefit of Barbara K. Whitman with Thomas Danziger acting as trustee and 281,250 shares are owned in a trust for the benefit of Barbara K. Whitman with Barbara K. Whitman acting as trustee.</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">Represents shares held in trust by the reporting persons spouse with Thomas Danziger acting as trustee.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Barbara K. Whitman</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-30</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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