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 1, 2004 ------------- BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Delaware 1-9550 62-1691861 ----------------------------------- --------- --------------- (State or Other Jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) One Thousand Beverly Way Fort Smith, Arkansas 72919 ---------------------------------------------------------------- -------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number including area code (479) 201-2000 INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION On March 1, 2004, Beverly Enterprises, Inc. issued a press release regarding financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. The full text of the press release is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto. Information contained in this report (including the exhibit hereto) shall not be deemed filed under the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and regulations and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Exhibit 99.1* - Press Release of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. dated March 1, 2004 *Filed with this document 2 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. Dated: March 2, 2004 BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC. By: /s/ PAMELA H. DANIELS --------------------- Pamela H. Daniels Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Exhibit ----------- ------- 99.1 Press Release of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. dated March 1, 2004 4