<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000911673</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>OPINION RESEARCH CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ORCI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001277486</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LADIN STEVEN F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O OPINION RESEARCH CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>600 COLLEGE ROAD EAST, SUITE 4100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PRINCETON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08540</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>No Securities are beneficially owned.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Douglas L. Cox, Attorney-in-Fact for Steven F. Ladin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

