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): May 16, 2003
                                                          --------------



                          The Williams Companies, Inc.
                          ----------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



             Delaware                    1-4174              73-0569878
             --------                ---------------     -------------------
           (State or other             (Commission       (I.R.S. Employer
           jurisdiction of            File Number)         Identification No.)
           incorporation)


       One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma                    74172
       ------------------------------------                    -----
     (Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)



        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 918/573-2000
                                                            ------------


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





Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

           The Williams Companies, Inc. ("Williams") wishes to disclose for
Regulation FD purposes its press release dated May 16, 2003, furnished herewith
as Exhibit 99.

           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Williams has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.


Date: May 19, 2003                              /s/ Brian K. Shore
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       Name:    Brian K. Shore
                                       Title:   Corporate Secretary






                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS



EXHIBIT
NUMBER            DESCRIPTION
-------           -----------
               
   99             Copy of Williams' press release dated May 16, 2003.