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): December 14, 2004

                                ASHLAND INC.
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                  Kentucky
               (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

               1-2918                                       61-0122250
         (Commission File Number)                           (I.R.S. Employer
                                                            Identification No.)

50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington, Kentucky              41012-0391
   (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)

    P.O. Box 391, Covington, Kentucky                           41012-0391
            (Mailing Address)                                   (Zip Code)

     Registrant's telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333


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 2230.425)
[  ]     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 8.01.  Other Events

     On December 14, 2004, Ashland Inc. provided an earnings update for the
December  quarter,  which is discussed in more detail in the press  release
attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)      Exhibits

99.1     Press Release dated December 14, 2004









                                 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 thereunto duly authorized.


                                                ASHLAND INC.
                                -------------------------------------------
                                                 (Registrant)



Date:  December 14, 2004                /s/ J. Marvin Quin 
                                --------------------------------------------
                                Name:     J. Marvin Quin
                                Title:    Senior Vice President and
                                          Chief Financial Officer








                                                               EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1     Press Release dated December 14, 2004