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

                                October 29, 2003

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)


                 CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

                              ---------------------

         Delaware                    333-92383                 06-1397316
(State or Other Jurisdiction)   (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation                                             Identification No.)
                              ---------------------



                             251 Ballardvale Street
                         Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                                  978-658-6000
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)

ITEM 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (a) Not applicable. (b) Not applicable. (c) Exhibits. This exhibit is furnished pursuant to Item 12 hereof and should not be deemed to be "filed" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 99.1 Press release dated October 29, 2003. ITEM 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition The following information shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. On October 29, 2003, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. issued a press release providing financial results for the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2003. The press release, attached as an exhibit to this report, includes "safe harbor" language pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, indicating that certain statements about Charles River's business contained in the press release are "forward-looking" rather than historic. The press release also states that these and other risks relating to Charles River are set forth in the documents filed by Charles River with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 2

SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. Dated: October 29, 2003 By: /s/ Dennis R. Shaughnessy . ----------------------------------------------- Dennis R. Shaughnessy, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, General Counsel and Secretary 3

Exhibit Index Exhibit No. Description - ----------- ----------- 99.1 Press release dated October 29, 2003. 4

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

          Charles River Laboratories Announces Third-Quarter
    2003 Results, Confirms Outlook for 2003, and Provides Outlook
                     for Continued Growth in 2004

    WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2003--Charles River
Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL) today reported
third-quarter 2003 net sales of $151.2 million, a 7.0% increase over
the $141.4 million reported in the third quarter of 2002. Net income
for the third quarter of 2003 increased 5.7% to $19.6 million, or
$0.40 per diluted share, from $18.5 million, or $0.38 per diluted
share, in the third quarter of 2002. Cash provided by operating
activities in the third quarter was $35.2 million, driving the
Company's cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities to a record
$179.7 million at the end of the third quarter.
    Operating income for the third quarter of 2003 rose 5.3% to $34.3
million from $32.5 million in the third quarter of last year. The
Company's operating margin was 22.7% in the third quarter of 2003
compared to 23.0% in the third quarter of last year, a modest decrease
that reflected the Company's efforts to manage costs in line with
revenue growth.
    James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
said, "The unsettled drug discovery and development market affected
our results in the third quarter, but we nevertheless delivered sales
and earnings growth and a significant increase in cash. This
demonstrates the value of our diversified product and services
offerings, and clearly shows that we can deliver good growth and
strong profitability and cash flow despite challenging market
conditions."

    Business Segment Detail

    Third-quarter 2003 net sales of $151.2 million increased 7.0% over
the third quarter of 2002. Favorable foreign currency translation
contributed approximately 2.5% of the net sales gain.
    Third-quarter 2003 net sales for the Research Models segment of
the business were $60.0 million compared to $56.8 million last year,
an increase of 5.7%. The Research Models business was affected by
lower growth rates in sales to certain customer segments as the third
quarter progressed, due to pharmaceutical mergers, tighter
pharmaceutical and biotech spending and more pronounced seasonality.
Due to slower sales growth, the gross margin was 42.9% compared to
44.7% in the third quarter of last year. Operating income increased to
$18.7 million in the third quarter compared to $18.6 million last
year, and the operating margin was 31.2% compared to last year's
32.8%.
    Net sales for the Biomedical Products and Services segment rose
7.8% in the third quarter, to $91.2 million from $84.6 million in the
same period last year. The Company's discovery services business,
which includes transgenic, laboratory testing, and contract staffing
services, and its in vitro business reported significant sales growth
in the quarter. The vaccine support business also reported strong
sales growth, due principally to consolidation of a Mexican joint
venture. Sales for the development services business, which includes
the entire range of pre-clinical drug testing services, were lower
than in the third quarter of last year, but as evidence of steady
improvement, were higher than in the second quarter of 2003. Sales
from the acquisition of Springborn Laboratories, acquired in the
fourth quarter of 2002, partially offset the development services
third-quarter sales decrease.
    Higher net sales in the third quarter resulted in an improvement
in gross margins for the Biomedical Products and Services segment, to
33.7% from 33.2% in the same period in 2002. Operating income for this
segment was $18.8 million compared to $17.1 million in the third
quarter of last year. The third-quarter operating margin increased to
20.6% from 20.2% last year, and from 18.5% reported in the second
quarter of 2003. The increase in the operating margin was due to
improved operating efficiency in the discovery services, in vitro and
vaccine support businesses as a result of higher net sales, the
continuing focus on limiting operating expense growth, and the cost
savings program initiated in the development services operation in the
second quarter of 2003.

    Year-to-Date Results

    Net sales for the first nine months of 2003 were $457.7 million,
an 11.2% increase over the $411.7 million reported in the same period
last year. Operating income rose 12.9% to $103.1 million from $91.3
million last year, and the operating margin increased to 22.5% from
22.2%, primarily as a result of improved operating performance from
the Research Models segment.
    Diluted earnings per share for the nine-month period were $1.22,
compared to $0.70 in the same period last year. This year's nine-month
results included a net charge of $1.6 million, or approximately $0.02
per diluted share, as a result of an asset impairment charge of $3.7
million related to the closure of a biopharmaceutical production
facility, a French litigation settlement in the Company's favor of
$2.9 million and a charge of $0.9 million for expenses associated with
cost savings initiatives. The results for the first nine months of
2002 included charges of $29.9 million, or $0.36 per diluted share,
for the early retirement of high-yield debt.

    2003 Confirmation/2004 Outlook

    The following forward-looking guidance may be affected by
uncertain economic and political environments. Guidance is based on
current exchange rates, as the Company is unable to predict the
effects of any currency fluctuations on its future results, and is
exclusive of any acquisitions which may occur.
    The Company confirms its guidance provided in September of this
year that for 2003, net sales growth is expected to be between 9% and
11%. Net sales growth for the Research Models segment is expected to
be between 10% and 12%, and for the Biomedical Products and Services
segment is expected to be between 8% and 10%.
    The Company also confirms that diluted earnings per share for 2003
are expected to be in a range of $1.58 to $1.63.
    For 2004, exclusive of any acquisitions, the Company anticipates
earnings per diluted share of at least $1.76, based on net sales
growth between 5% and 9%.
    Mr. Foster added, "We are very pleased that the business is well
positioned for growth in sales, earnings and cash flow for 2004.
Although overall demand continues to be affected by pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies' spending patterns, our broad spectrum of
products and services enables us to capitalize on opportunities where
they are strongest. From a long-term perspective, we believe our
business is well positioned as a leading provider to the
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Our goal is to maintain
that position by delivering an increasing array of high-quality
products and services to existing and emerging markets."

    Webcast

    Charles River Laboratories has scheduled a live webcast on
Thursday, October 30, at 8:30 a.m. EST to discuss matters relating to
this press release. To participate, please go to ir.criver.com and
select the webcast link. The webcast will be available until 5:00 p.m.
EST on November 6, 2003.

    Charles River Laboratories, based in Wilmington, Massachusetts, is
a leading provider of critical research tools and integrated support
services that enable innovative and efficient drug discovery and
development. The Company is the global leader in providing the animal
research models required in research and development for new drugs,
devices and therapies. The Company also offers a broad and growing
portfolio of biomedical products and services that enable customers to
reduce cost, increase speed, and enhance productivity and
effectiveness in drug discovery and development. Charles River's
customer base spans over 50 countries, and includes all of the major
pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, and many leading
hospitals and academic institutions. The Company operates 82
facilities in 16 countries worldwide.

    Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This document
includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate,"
"believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "outlook," and "project" and
other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or
trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These
statements are based on management's current expectations, and involve
a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those stated or implied by the forward-looking
statements, and the Company expressly does not undertake any duty to
update forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of
this document. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to: a decrease in pre-clinical research and development
spending or a decrease in the level of outsourced services;
acquisition integration risks; special interest groups;
contaminations; industry trends; new displacement technologies; USDA
and FDA regulations; changes in law; continued availability of
products and supplies; loss of key personnel; interest rate and
foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in generally
accepted accounting principles; and any changes in business,
political, or economic conditions due to the threat of future
terrorist activity in the U.S. and other parts of the world, and
related U.S. military action overseas. A further description of these
risks, uncertainties, and other matters can be found in the Risk
Factors detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed
on March 20, 2003, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


            CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
           (dollars in thousands, except for per share data)

                       Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                       ------------------          -----------------
                      Sept. 27,   Sept. 28,     Sept. 27,   Sept. 28,
                          2003        2002          2003        2002

Total net sales       $151,194    $141,364      $457,683    $411,685
Cost of products
 sold and services
 provided               94,702      87,889       283,624     255,851
                      --------    --------      --------    --------
Gross margin            56,492      53,475       174,059     155,834
Selling, general
 and administrative     21,003      20,023        66,491      62,329
Other operating
 expense (income)            -           -           747           -
Amortization of
 intangibles             1,233         933         3,711       2,194
                      --------    --------      --------    --------
Operating income        34,256      32,519       103,110      91,311
Interest income
 (expense)              (1,722)     (1,862)       (5,021)     (7,515)
Loss on debt
 retirement                  -        (613)            -     (29,882)
Other income
 (expense)                  27         (48)          443       1,029
                      --------    --------      --------    --------
Income before taxes, minority interests
and earnings from
 equity investments     32,561      29,996        98,532      54,943
Provision for
 income taxes           12,536      10,805        37,935      20,534
                      --------    --------      --------    --------
Income before minority interests
and earnings from
 equity investments     20,025      19,191        60,597      34,409
Minority interests        (434)       (717)       (1,091)     (2,098)
Earnings from
 equity investments          -          57             -         316
                      --------    --------      --------    --------
Net income             $19,591     $18,531       $59,506     $32,627
                      ========    ========      ========    ========
Earnings per common
 share
Basic                    $0.43       $0.41         $1.31       $0.73
Diluted                  $0.40       $0.38         $1.22       $0.70
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic               45,600,735  44,836,974    45,366,187  44,549,632
Diluted             51,490,250  51,362,263    51,288,568  50,672,782



            CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                              (UNAUDITED)
                        (dollars in thousands)

                                       September 27,     December 28,
                                               2003             2002
Assets
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                $164,316         $127,509
  Marketable securities                      11,192                -
  Trade receivables, net                    105,653           94,245
  Inventories                                48,541           43,892
  Other current assets                       16,389           12,446
                                            -------          -------
    Total current assets                    346,091          278,092
Property, plant and equipment, net          193,003          187,875
Goodwill, net                               103,600           96,532
Other intangibles, net                       31,020           34,204
Deferred tax asset                           66,287           80,884
Other assets                                 25,151           23,757
                                            -------          -------
    Total assets                           $765,152         $701,344
                                            =======          =======
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
  Accounts payable                          $12,450          $13,084
  Accrued compensation                       28,996           31,825
  Deferred income                            25,248           27,029
  Other current liabilities                  43,871           41,431
                                            -------          -------
    Total current liabilities               110,565          113,369
  Long-term debt                            189,690          192,420
  Other long-term liabilities                23,418           19,612
                                            -------          -------
    Total liabilities                       323,673          325,401
                                            -------          -------
  Minority interests                          9,539           18,567
  Total shareholders' equity                431,940          357,376
                                            -------          -------
  Total liabilities and shareholders'
   equity                                  $765,152         $701,344
                                            =======          =======


            CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
           SELECTED BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
                        (dollars in thousands)

                            Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                            ------------------     -----------------
                            Sept. 27, Sept. 28,   Sept. 27, Sept. 28,
                                2003      2002        2003      2002
Research Models
   Net sales                 $59,986   $56,771    $189,198  $170,214
   Gross margin               25,745    25,375      87,278    77,534
   Gross margin as a % of
    net sales                   42.9%     44.7%       46.1%     45.6%
   Operating income           18,703    18,596      65,746    57,121
   Operating income as a %
    of net sales                31.2%     32.8%       34.7%     33.6%
   Depreciation and
    amortization               2,751     2,472       7,945     7,013
   Capital expenditures        2,938     2,954      10,122     9,493
Biomedical Products and Services
   Net sales                 $91,208   $84,593    $268,485  $241,471
   Gross margin               30,747    28,100      86,781    78,300
   Gross margin as a % of
    net sales                   33.7%     33.2%       32.3%     32.4%
   Operating income           18,830    17,093      49,074    47,531
   Operating income as a %
    of net sales                20.6%     20.2%       18.3%     19.7%
   Depreciation and
    amortization               4,475     3,859      13,337    10,368
   Capital expenditures        2,377     4,354       9,647    12,121
Unallocated Corporate
 Overhead                    $(3,277)  $(3,170)   $(11,710) $(13,341)
Total
   Net sales                $151,194  $141,364    $457,683  $411,685
   Gross margin               56,492    53,475     174,059   155,834
   Gross margin as a % of
    net sales                   37.4%     37.8%       38.0%     37.9%
   Operating income           34,256    32,519     103,110    91,311
   Operating income as a %
    of net sales                22.7%     23.0%       22.5%     22.2%
   Depreciation and
    amortization               7,226     6,331      21,282    17,381
   Capital expenditures        5,315     7,308      19,769    21,614



    CONTACT: Charles River Laboratories
             Investors:
             Susan E. Hardy, 978-658-6000 Ext. 1616