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): July 29, 2004

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

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

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

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

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Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

      (c)   Exhibits

            99    News Release dated July 29, 2004

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

      On July 29, 2004, Duke Energy Corporation issued a news release announcing
its financial results for the quarter ended June 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 12.


                                    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: July 29, 2004


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

          Exhibit                  Description
          -------                  -----------
            99               News Release dated July 29, 2004