UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                _______________

                                    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): March 30, 2004


                         THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 Delaware                             1-14893               13-4038356
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission           (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                   File Number)          Identification No.)

                         One Pepsi Way, Somers, NY 10589
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (914) 767-6000

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

(a)  Not Applicable.

(a)  Not Applicable.

(a)  Exhibit 99.1 Press release  dated  March 30, 2004 which is being furnished
     hereto pursuant to Item 12.

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

     On March 30, 2004, The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. announced its preliminary
results for its first quarter  ended March 20, 2004,  and also affirmed its full
year 2004 forecast as described in the press release furnished hereto as Exhibit
99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.




                                    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.


                                         THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP, INC.
                                                (Registrant)
Date: March 30, 2004                      /s/ Pamela C. McGuire
      --------------                          -----------------
                                                (Signature)
                                       Pamela C. McGuire, Senior Vice President,
                                          General Counsel and Secretary