SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

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                                    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): November 3, 2004

                             DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

        NORTH CAROLINA                    1-4928                  56-0205520
(State or Other Jurisdiction       (Commission File No.)        (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)                                      Identification No.)

526 South Church Street                                            28201-1006 
Charlotte, North Carolina                                          (Zip Code) 
(Address of principal executive offices)                           

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 704-594-6200

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions: 

|_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act 
    (17 CFR 230.425)

|_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act 
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

      On November 3, 2004, Duke Energy Corporation issued a news release
announcing its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. A
copy of this news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99. The information in
Exhibit 99 is being furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

      (c)   Exhibits

            99    News Release dated November 3, 2004



                                    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 thereunto duly authorized.

                                               DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION

                                               By: /s/ Keith G. Butler
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Keith G. Butler
                                                   Vice President and Controller

Dated: November 3, 2004



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit                        Description
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  99               News Release dated November 3, 2004