SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

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                                    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): January 29, 2004

                             DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

         NORTH CAROLINA                   1-4928                  56-0205520
(State or Other Jurisdiction of    (Commission File No.)        (IRS Employer
         Incorporation)                                      Identification No.)

526 South Church Street
Charlotte, North Carolina                                         28201-1006
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 704-594-6200

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Item 7.     Financial Statements and Exhibits

            (c)   Exhibits

                  99    News Release dated January 29, 2004

Item 12.    Results of Operations and Financial Condition

      On January 29, 2004, Duke Energy Corporation issued a news release
announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended
December 31, 2003. A copy of this news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.
The information in Exhibit 99 is being furnished pursuant to this Item 12.

                                    SIGNATURE

      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 thereunto duly authorized.

                                        DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION

                                        By: /s/ Keith G. Butler
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Keith G. Butler
                                            Senior Vice President and Controller

Dated: January 29, 2004



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit                          Description
    -------                          -----------
      99                 News Release dated January 29, 2004