SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                             Washington, D.C. 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): May 12, 2004

                              PATHMARK STORES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

   Delaware                        1-5287                        22-2879612
(State or other                 (Commission                   (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of                 File Number)                Identification No.)
incorporation)

200 Milik Street, Carteret, New Jersey               07008
(Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (732) 499-3000





Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

              On May 12, 2004, Pathmark Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
issued a press release announcing its results for the first quarter of fiscal
year 2004. The press release appearing in Exhibit 99.1, other than the third
paragraph and Table B attached to the press release, is not filed but is
furnished hereby.

              A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.





                                    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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                       PATHMARK STORES, INC.

Date: May 12, 2004                     By:   /s/ Marc A. Strassler
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:   Marc A. Strassler
                                          Title:  Senior Vice President
                                                  and General Counsel