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): December 24, 2003

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

           DELAWARE                       0-24249                 22-2919486
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Commission File Number)      (IRS Employer
        incorporation)                                       Identification No.)

             10 Mountainview Road,
            Upper Saddle River, NJ                                  07458
    (Address of principal executive office)                      (Zip Code)

                                 (201) 258-8450
               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:


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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Item 5. Other Events and Required FD Disclosure.

On December 24, 2003, the Company issued a press release announcing that it has
signed an agreement with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, the U.S.
pharmaceuticals affiliate of Novartis AG. The full text of the press release is
set forth as Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release of PDI, Inc. dated December 24, 2003

                                 * * * * * * *

                                    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.

                                          PDI, INC.


                                          By:  /s/ Charles T. Saldarini
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Charles T. Saldarini, Vice Chairman
                                              and Chief Executive Officer

Date: December 24, 2003