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 22, 2001
------------------------------------------------
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)


                              PEOPLES BANCORP INC.
                              --------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


                                     0-16772
                             Commission File Number


              Ohio                                            31-0987416
----------------------------------------------           ----------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)             (I.R.S. Employer
                                                         Identification Number)

                  138 Putnam Street
                     P.O. Box 738,
                     Marietta, Ohio                            45750
  ---------------------------------------------------        ----------
 (Address of principal executive office)                     (Zip Code)


               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                  (740) 373-3155


                                       Not applicable
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





                           Index to Exhibits on Page 3



Item 1.  Changes in Control of Registrant
         Not applicable.

Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
         Not applicable.

Item 3.  Bankruptcy or Receivership
         Not applicable.

Item 4.  Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
         Not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Events
         On October 22, 2001, Peoples Bancorp Inc. announces increased third
         quarter earnings of $0.44 per diluted share. The release is included
         herewith as Exhibit 99.

Item 6.  Resignations of Registrant's Directors
         Not applicable.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
         (a) Non required
         (b) Non required
         (c) Exhibits

EXHIBIT NUMBER                   DESCRIPTION
--------------                   ------------------------------------
99                               News Release issued October 22, 2001

Item 8.  Change in Fiscal Year
         Not applicable.

Item 9.  Sales of Equity Securities Pursuant to Regulation S
         Not applicable.






                                   SIGNATURES


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.



DATE:  October 23, 2001                 PEOPLES BANCORP INC.
                                        --------------------
                                        Registrant



                               By: /s/  ROBERT E. EVANS
                                        Robert E. Evans
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number                  Description                           Page
--------------                  ----------------------------          ------
99                              News Release issued 10/22/01          4 - 10