FORM 6-K



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION



                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                        Report of Foreign Private Issuer
                         Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 under
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2003


                                    ICON plc
                               (Registrant's name)


                                     0-29714
                            (Commission file number)


          South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland.
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

                                  Yes___X___ No_______

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

                                  Yes______ No___X___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

                                  Yes______ No___X___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                                  Yes_______ No___X___

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82 N/A





                                    ICON plc

                    Quarterly Period Ended November 30, 2003


CONTENTS                                                                  Page


General..................................................................    1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as at
November 30, 2003 and May 31, 2003.......................................    2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
three and six months ended November 30, 2003 and 2002....................    3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
six months ended November 30, 2003 and 2002..............................    4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
and Comprehensive Income.................................................    5


Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements...............................................................    6


Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations......................................   11


Signature Page...........................................................   19








                                    ICON plc

GENERAL

As used herein, "ICON", the "Company" and "we" refer to ICON plc and its
consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

Business

We are a contract research organization, or "CRO", providing clinical research
and development services on a global basis to the pharmaceutical and
biotechnology industries. Our focus is on supporting the conduct of clinical
trials. We have historically done so by providing such services as Phase I - IV
clinical trials management, study design, laboratory services and drug
development support. We believe that we are one of a select group of CROs with
the capability and expertise to conduct clinical trials in most major
therapeutic areas on a global basis. We have approximately 2,450 employees and
operations in 32 locations in 19 countries. Our main operations are in the
United States, Europe and the Rest of the World. For the six months ended
November 30, 2003, we derived approximately 64.4%, 32.1%, and 3.5% of our net
revenue in the United States, Europe and Rest of World, respectively.

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, we began operations in 1990 and have expanded
our business through internal growth and strategic acquisitions.

On September 9, 2003, we completed the acquisition of Globomax LLC ("Globomax"),
a leading US Drug Development Company which provides a range of development and
consulting services to the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries.



                                       1



                                    ICON plc

                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             AS AT NOVEMBER 30, 2003




                                                                                          (Unaudited)         (Audited)
                                                                                          November 30,         May 31,
                                                                                                  2003            2003
                                                                                                    (in thousands)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
                                                                                                         
      Cash and cash equivalents.......................................................         $61,463         $18,311
      Accounts receivable.............................................................          77,611          74,645
      Unbilled revenue................................................................          52,178          44,783
      Other receivables...............................................................           6,026           4,385
      Deferred taxes..................................................................              32              32
      Prepayments and other current assets............................................           8,784           8,326
                                                                                         -------------   -------------
         Total current assets.........................................................         206,094         150,482

Other Assets:
      Property, plant and equipment, net..............................................          42,778          39,503
      Goodwill........................................................................          59,803          45,029
                                                                                         -------------   -------------

Total Assets..........................................................................        $308,675        $235,014
                                                                                         =============   =============

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
      Accounts payable................................................................        $10,064          $11,092
      Payments on account.............................................................         44,113           45,763
      Other liabilities...............................................................         30,323           28,289
      Taxes payable...................................................................          8,385            4,385
      Bank credit lines and loan facilities...........................................         17,436            7,126
                                                                                         -------------   -------------

       Total current liabilities......................................................        110,321           96,655

Other Liabilities:
      Long term government grants.....................................................          1,135            1,140
      Deferred consideration - loan notes.............................................          1,332                -
      Other liabilities...............................................................            294              309

  Shareholders' Equity:
      Ordinary Shares, par value 6 euro cents per share; 20,000,000 shares
      authorized, 13,620,357 shares issued and outstanding at November 30, 2003
      and
      11,841,557 shares issued and outstanding at May 31, 2003                                    964              841
      Additional paid-in capital......................................................        108,619           61,164
      Accumulated other comprehensive income..........................................          7,023            7,787
      Merger reserve..................................................................             47               47
      Retained earnings...............................................................         78,940           67,071
                                                                                         -------------
                                                                                                         -------------

Total Shareholders' Equity............................................................        195,593          136,910
                                                                                         -------------   -------------

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity............................................       $308,675         $235,014
                                                                                         =============   =============

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.





                                       2




                                    ICON plc




                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                       FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2002
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                        Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended
                                                                           November 30,                  November 30,
                                                                       2003           2002            2003            2002
                                                                          (in thousands except share and per share data)
   Revenue:
                                                                                                          
      Gross revenue.............................................       $113,173         $84,978       $219,350        $157,065
      Subcontractor costs.......................................       (39,966)        (31,443)       (77,208)        (56,671)
                                                                   -------------  --------------   ------------   -------------
      Net revenue...............................................         73,207          53,535        142,142         100,394

   Costs and expenses:
      Direct costs..............................................         40,070          28,716         77,769          54,141
      Selling, general and administrative expense...............         22,041          16,948         43,066          31,591
      Depreciation .............................................          2,732           1,578          5,321           3,148
                                                                   -------------  --------------   ------------   -------------
      Total costs and expenses..................................         64,843          47,242        126,156          88,880
                                                                   -------------  --------------   ------------   -------------

   Income from operations.......................................          8,364           6,293         15,986          11,514
   Interest income..............................................             96             145            169             416
   Interest expense.............................................           (21)            (72)           (47)           (157)
                                                                   -------------  --------------   ------------   -------------

   Income before provision for income taxes.....................          8,439           6,366         16,108          11,773
   Provision for income taxes...................................        (2,174)         (1,947)        (4,239)         (3,381)
                                                                   -------------  --------------   ------------   -------------
   Net income...................................................         $6,265          $4,419        $11,869          $8,392
                                                                   =============  ==============   ============   =============
   Net income per Ordinary Share:
      Basic.....................................................          $0.46           $0.37          $0.96           $0.71
                                                                   =============  ==============   ============   =============
       Diluted..................................................          $0.45           $0.36          $0.92           $0.69
                                                                   =============  ==============   ============   =============

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding:

        Basic...................................................     13,578,859     11,804,345      12,346,147      11,799,125
                                                                  ==============  =============   =============  ==============

        Diluted.................................................     14,040,419     12,147,702      12,849,374      12,143,034
                                                                  ==============  =============   =============  ==============


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.




                                       3




                                    ICON plc




                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
               FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2002
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                  Six Months Ended November 30,
                                                                                    2003                 2002
                                                                                           (in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                                                                                      
Net income................................................                              $11,869             $8,392
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in)/provided by
   operating activities:..................................
   Loss on disposal of fixed assets.......................                                    3                  4
   Depreciation...........................................                                5,321              3,148
   Amortization of grants.................................                                 (17)               (12)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
   (Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable.............                                (162)                 59
   Increase in unbilled revenue...........................                              (7,327)           (12,058)
   Decrease/(increase) in other receivables...............                                1,757            (1,959)
   (Increase)/decrease in prepayments and other current assets                            (245)                457
   (Decrease)/increase in payments on account.............                              (3,591)             13,158
   Decrease in other liabilities..........................                              (1,662)              (155)
   Increase in income taxes payable.......................                                3,952              1,178
   Decrease in accounts payable...........................                              (3,555)            (2,708)
                                                                              ------------------    ---------------

Net cash provided by operating activities.................                                6,343              9,504

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Purchase of fixed assets...............................                              (7,711)            (7,110)
   Sale of short term investments.........................                                    -             12,313
   Purchase of short term investments.....................                                    -            (4,639)
   Purchase of subsidiary.................................                             (11,097)           (15,861)
   Cash acquired with subsidiary .........................                                  891              1,559
     Payments in respect of prior year acquisitions                                     (1,427)            (3,078)
                                                                              ------------------    ---------------

Net cash used in investing activities.....................                             (19,344)           (16,816)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from/(repayment of) bank overdraft...............                               10,310            (3,753)
Proceeds from issuance of share capital...................                               45,705                  -
Proceeds from exercise of share options...................                                3,281                214
Share issuance costs......................................                              (1,103)                  -
Repayment of other liabilities............................                                 (94)                  -
                                                                              ------------------    ---------------
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities.......                               58,099            (3,539)
Effect of exchange rate movements on cash.................                              (1,946)              (176)
                                                                              ------------------    ---------------

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents......                               43,152           (11,027)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period..........                               18,311             36,291
                                                                              ------------------    ---------------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period................                              $61,463            $25,264
                                                                              ==================    ===============

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.





                                       4








                                    ICON plc

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)

                                                                             Accumulated
                                                             Additional         Other
                                                               Paid-in     Comprehensive       Retained      Merger
                                         Shares      Amount    Capital         Income          Earnings      Reserve     Total
                                         ------      ------  ----------    --------------      --------      -------     -----

                                                       (dollars in thousands, except share data)


                                                                                                   
     Balance at May 31, 2003........    11,841,557     $841       $61,164           $7,787         $67,071        $47   $136,910


     Comprehensive Income:
   Net income.......................            -         -             -               -           11,869          -     11,869
   Currency translation adjustment..            -         -             -            (764)               -          -      (764)
                                                                                                                       ----------
   Total comprehensive income.......                                                                                      11,105
   Exercise of Share Options........      278,800        19         3,262                -               -          -      3,281
   Shares issued....................    1,500,000       104        45,601                -               -          -     45,705
   Share Issue costs................            -         -       (1,408)                -               -          -    (1,408)
                                       ----------     -----      --------           -------         -------        --- ----------
     Balance at November 30, 2003      13,620,357      $964      $108,619            $7,023         $78,940        $47   $195,593
                                       ==========     =====      ========           =======         =======        === ==========


 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.




                                       5




                                    ICON plc

            NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                NOVEMBER 30, 2003


1. Basis of Presentation

These condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in
accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("US
GAAP"), have not been audited. The condensed consolidated financial statements
reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to
present a fair statement of the operating results and financial position for the
periods presented. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial
statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures in the condensed
consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. There has been no significant change in ICON plc's accounting
policies from those outlined in ICON's annual report on Form 20-F for the year
ended May 31, 2003, except as described below.

Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with the United States generally accepted
accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The condensed
consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
accounting policies and notes to the consolidated financial statements included
in ICON's 2003 annual report on Form 20-F. Operating results for the six months
ended November 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may
be expected for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2004.


2. Acquisitions

Acquisition of Globomax

On September 9, 2003, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of
Globomax LLC, based in Maryland, USA, for an initial cash consideration of
U.S.$10.9 million. Earn-out have been built into the acquisition contract
requiring the potential payment of additional deferred consideration up to a
maximum of U.S.$4.0 million depending on the performance of Globomax over the
period from date of acquisition to May 31, 2006. Such potential additional
consideration will be accounted for as goodwill. The total amount of goodwill is
expected to be tax deductible.

The acquisition of Globomax has been accounted for as a purchase in accordance
with SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations". The following table summarises the
fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of
acquisition.

                                                           At September 9,
                                                                      2003
                                                            (in thousands)
       Property, Plant and Equipment                                  $370
       Goodwill                                                     13,134
       Cash                                                            891
       Other Current Assets                                          3,306
       Current liabilities                                         (6,376)
       --------------------------------------------------------------------
       Purchase Price                                              $11,325
       --------------------------------------------------------------------

The results of Globomax have been included in the consolidated financial
statements from September 1, 2003.

Prior Period Acquisitions

On July 25, 2003, August 20, 2003 and August 29, 2003, additional cash payments
totaling U.S.$33,700 were made, together with a further payment of U.S.$77,197,
on September 11, 2003, to the former shareholders of Barton & Polansky
Associates, Inc. ("BPA") and Managed Clinical Solutions, Inc. ("MCS"), as part
of the working capital provisions in the applicable acquisition contract. We
acquired BPA and MCS on October 9, 2003.



                                       6


On May 31, 2003, an amount of Stg(pound)1.225 million (U.S.$2.0 million) was
accrued in relation to the Medeval Group Limited ("Medeval") acquisition, a
company we acquired on January 24, 2003, as the first earn-out target identified
in the acquisition contract was reached on this date. It was provided in the
applicable acquisition agreement that the form of the earn- out would consist of
cash payable to one specific named selling shareholder, with the balance due to
the other selling shareholders being in the form of guaranteed loan notes. These
guaranteed loan notes have a repayment date of 3 years from the date of issue
but are exercisable six months from that date. On September 30, 2003,
Stg(pound)0.472 million (U.S.$0.8 million) was paid in cash to the specific
named selling shareholder. On the same date, Stg(pound)0.753 million (U.S.$1.332
million) of guaranteed loan notes were issued to the remaining selling
shareholders and are included in Deferred consideration - loan notes.

On October 2, 2003, a cash payment of U.S.$421,000 was made to the former
shareholders of UCT (U.S.) Inc.as part of the earn out provisions in the
contract.

The pro forma effect of the BPA, MCS, Medeval and Globomax acquisitions if
completed on June 1, 2002 would have resulted in net revenue, net income and
earnings per share for the three and six months ended November 30, 2003 and 2002
as follows:





                                               Three months ended             Six months ended
                                                    November 30,                 November 30,
                                                 2003             2002          2003               2002
                                                (in thousands)                  (in thousands)
                                                                                   
       Net Revenue                            $73,207          $62,309      $145,168           $120,953
       Net Income                              $6,265           $5,155       $12,045             $9,631
       Basic Earnings per Share                 $0.46            $0.44         $0.97              $0.82
       Diluted Earnings Per Share               $0.45            $0.42         $0.94               $079




In August 2002, a $900,000 distribution was made to the former shareholders of
BPA and MCS, which was recorded as other expenses. In July 2001 and 2002,
dividends were paid to the former shareholders of Medeval of Stg(pound)25,679
(U.S.$36,148) and Stg(pound)109,700 (U.S.$168,134) respectively which were also
recorded as other expenses. These payments are included in the pro forma
results.

An effective tax rate of 35.0% was imputed on the profits before tax of Globomax
LLC for the periods prior to acquisition.

3. Goodwill




                                                            Six months ended       Year ended
                                                               November 30,            May 31
                                                                        2003             2003
                                                                     (in thousands)
                                                                                
Opening Balance                                                      $45,029          $10,093
Arising during the year                                               13,134           32,302
Arising on earn-out (current and prior year acquisitions)                532            2,003
Foreign exchange movement                                              1,108              631
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------

Closing Goodwill                                                     $59,803          $45,029
============================================================================= ================



4. Net income per Ordinary Share

Basic net income per Ordinary Share has been computed by dividing net income
available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of Ordinary
Shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per Ordinary Share is
computed by adjusting the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding
during the period for all potentially dilutive Ordinary Shares outstanding
during the period and adjusting net income for any changes in income or loss
that would result from the conversion of such potential Ordinary Shares.

There is no difference in net income used for basic and diluted net income per
Ordinary Share. The reconciliation of the number of shares used in the
computation of basic and diluted net income per Ordinary Share is as follows:




                                       7




                                                                       Three Months Ended                 Six Months Ended
                                                                          November 30,                       November 30,
                                                                              2003           2002          2003           2002

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding for
                                                                                                        
basic net income per Ordinary Share                                     13,578,859     11,804,345    12,346,147     11,799,125
Effect of dilutive share options outstanding                               461,560        343,357       503,227        343,909
                                                                 ------------------ -------------- ------------- --------------
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares for diluted net
income per Ordinary Share                                               14,040,419     12,147,702    12,849,374     12,143,034
                                                                 ================== ============== ============= ==============






                                       8




5. Business Segment Information

The Company's areas of operation outside of Ireland principally include the
United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Latvia, Israel,
Hungary, Russia, Sweden, Australia, Argentina, Japan, Singapore, South Africa,
China, Canada and India. Segment information for the six months periods ended
November 30, 2003 and 2002 is as follows:




     a) The distribution of net revenue by geographical area was as follows:




                                                     Three months ended                Six months ended
                                                        November 30,                     November 30,
                                                     2003             2002          2003               2002
                                                        (in thousands)                  (in thousands)
                                                                                        
       Ireland*                                    $8,273           $7,135       $18,157            $12,301
       Rest of Europe                              15,003            7,915        27,462             14,930
       U.S.                                        47,108           37,185        91,572             70,579
       Rest of the World                            2,823            1,300         4,951              2,584
       --------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------------

       Total                                      $73,207          $53,535      $142,142           $100,394
       --------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------------



       * All sales shown for Ireland are export sales.


     b) The distribution of net revenue by business segment was as follows:



                                                        Three months ended               Six months ended
                                                           November 30,                    November 30,
                                                        2003             2002          2003               2002
                                                          (in thousands)                   (in thousands)
                                                                                           
       Central laboratory                             $6,614           $6,030       $12,337            $13,217
       Clinical research                              66,593           47,505       129,805             87,177
       ------------------------------------------------------ ---------------- ------------- ------------------

       Total                                         $73,207          $53,535      $142,142           $100,394
       ------------------------------------------------------ ---------------- ------------- ------------------




     c) The distribution of income from operations by geographical area was as
follows:



                                                  Three months ended               Six months ended
                                                     November 30,                    November 30,
                                                  2003             2002          2003               2002
                                                     (in thousands)                 (in thousands)
                                                                                        
       Ireland                                  $2,880             $882        $4,936               $899
       Rest of Europe                            1,097              723         1,736              1,316
       U.S.                                      3,892            4,509         8,727              8,920
       Rest of the World                           495              179           587                379
       ------------------------------------------------ ---------------- ------------- ------------------

       Total                                    $8,364           $6,293       $15,986            $11,514
       ------------------------------------------------ ---------------- ------------- ------------------





                                       9






     d) The distribution of income from operations by business segment was as
follows:



                                                    Three months ended               Six months ended
                                                       November 30,                      November 30,
                                                  2003              2002          2003               2002
                                                     (in thousands)                    (in thousands)
                                                                                          
       Central laboratory                       $(1,082)            ($87)      $(2,313)               $710
       Clinical research                           9,446            6,380        18,299             10,804
       -------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------------

       Total                                      $8,364           $6,293       $15,986            $11,514
       -------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------------



     e) The distribution of property, plant and equipment, net, by geographical
area was as follows:



                                                                         November 30,            May 31,
                                                                                 2003               2003
                                                                                      (in thousands)
                                                                                           
       Ireland                                                                $17,614            $17,003
       Rest of Europe                                                           6,832              6,316
       U.S.                                                                    17,228             15,066
       Rest of the World                                                        1,104              1,118
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------

       Total                                                                  $42,778            $39,503
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------



     f) The distribution of property, plant and equipment, net, by business
segment was as follows:



                                                                     November 30,            May 31,
                                                                             2003               2003
                                                                                  (in thousands)
                                                                                        
       Central laboratory                                                  $3,962             $3,560
       Clinical research                                                   38,816             35,943
       --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------

       Total                                                              $42,778            $39,503
       --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------




    g) The distribution of depreciation by geographical area was as follows:




                                                  Three months ended               Six months ended
                                                     November 30,                    November 30,
                                                  2003             2002          2003               2002
                                                    (in thousands)                    (in thousands)
                                                                                        
       Ireland                                    $892             $513        $1,726               $994
       Rest of Europe                              426              179           844                429
       U.S.                                      1,332              819         2,581              1,610
       Rest of the World                            82               67           170                115
       ------------------------------------------------ ---------------- ------------- ------------------

       Total                                    $2,732           $1,578        $5,321             $3,148
       ------------------------------------------------ ---------------- ------------- ------------------






                                       10




     h) The distribution of depreciation by business segment was as follows:



                                                           Three months ended               Six months ended
                                                              November 30,                     November 30,
                                                           2003             2002          2003               2002
                                                              (in thousands)                  (in thousands)
                                                                                                 
       Central laboratory                                  $242             $167          $527               $330
       Clinical research                                  2,490            1,411         4,794              2,818
       --------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------------

       Total                                             $2,732           $1,578        $5,321             $3,148
       --------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------------



     i) The distribution of total assets by geographical area was as follows:



                                                                  November 30,            May 31,
                                                                           2003               2003
                                                                                 (in thousands)
                                                                                     
       Ireland                                                          $67,493            $59,838
       Rest of Europe                                                    85,055             60,982
       U.S.                                                             152,736            110,602
       Rest of the World                                                  3,391              3,592
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------

       Total                                                           $308,675           $235,014
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------



     j) The distribution of total assets by business segment was as follows:



                                                                 November 30,            May 31,
                                                                          2003               2002
                                                                                (in thousands)
                                                                                    
       Central laboratory                                              $19,386            $19,175
       Clinical research                                               289,289            215,839
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------

       Total                                                          $308,675           $235,014
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------





                                       11




ICON plc


Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included
elsewhere herein and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes
thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended May
31, 2003. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Overview

We are a contract research organization, or "CRO", providing clinical research
and development services on a global basis to the pharmaceutical and
biotechnology industries. Our focus is on supporting the conduct of clinical
trials. We have historically done so by providing such services as Phase I - IV
clinical trials management, study design, laboratory services and drug
development support. We believe that we are one of a select group of CROs with
the capability and expertise to conduct clinical trials in most major
therapeutic areas on a global basis. We have approximately 2,450 employees and
operations in 32 locations in 19 countries. Our main operations are in the
United States, Europe and the Rest of the World. For the six months ended
November 30, 2003, we derived approximately 64.4%, 32.1%, and 3.5% of our net
revenue in the United States, Europe and Rest of World, respectively.

We earn revenues by providing a number of different services to our clients.
These services include clinical trials management, biometric activities,
consulting and laboratory services. We recognize biometric, consulting and
laboratory revenues on a fee-for-service basis. Our laboratory service contracts
are multiple element arrangements, with laboratory kits and laboratory testing
representing the contractual elements. We determine the fair values for these
elements, each of which can be sold separately, based on objective and reliable
evidence of their respective fair values. Our laboratory contracts entitle us to
receive non-refundable set up fees and we allocate such fees as additional
consideration to the contractual elements based on the proportionate fair values
of the elements. We recognize revenues for the elements on the basis of the
number of deliverable units completed in a period.

We recognize clinical trials revenue on the basis of the relationship between
time incurred and the total estimated duration of the contract as this
represents the most accurate pattern over which our contractual obligations are
fulfilled. We invoice our customers upon achievement of specified contractual
milestones. This mechanism, which allows us to receive payment from our
customers throughout the duration of the contract, is not reflective of revenue
earned. We recognize revenues over the period from the awarding of the
customer's contract to study completion and acceptance. This requires us to
estimate total expected revenue, time inputs, contract costs, profitability and
expected duration of the clinical trial. These estimates are reviewed
periodically and, if any of these estimates change or actual results differ from
expected results, then an adjustment is recorded in the period in which they
become readily estimable.

As is customary in the CRO industry, we subcontract with third party
investigators in connection with clinical trials. All subcontractor costs, and
certain other costs where reimbursed by clients, are, in accordance with
industry practice, deducted from gross revenue to arrive at net revenue. As no
profit is earned on these costs, which vary from contract to contract, we view
net revenue as our primary measure of revenue growth

Direct costs consist primarily of compensation and associated fringe benefits
for project-related employees and other direct project driven costs. Selling,
general and administrative expenses consist of compensation and related fringe
benefits for selling and administrative employees, professional services,
advertising costs and all costs related to facilities and information systems.

As the nature of our business involves the management of projects having a
typical duration of one to three years, the commencement, completion,
curtailment or early termination of projects in a fiscal year can have a
material impact on revenues earned with the relevant clients in such years. In
addition, as we typically work with some, but not all, divisions of a client,
fluctuations in the number and status of available projects within such
divisions can also have a material impact on revenues earned from such clients
from year to year.

Although domiciled in Ireland, we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a
consequence, the results of our non-United States based operations, when
translated into U.S. dollars, could be materially affected by fluctuations in
exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currency of those operations.

In addition to translation exposures, we are also subject to transaction
exposures because the currency in which contracts are priced can be different
from the currencies in which costs relating to those contracts are incurred. We
have twelve operations trading in U.S. dollars, four trading in Euros, three in
pounds Sterling, and one each in Australian Dollars, Singapore Dollars, Yen,
Israeli



                                       12


New Shekels, Latvian Lats, Swedish Krona, Argentine Peso, South African Rand,
Indian Rupee, Russian Rouble, Hungarian Forint, Canadian dollar and Chinese Yuan
Renminbi. Our operations in the United States are not materially exposed to such
currency differences as the majority of our revenues and costs are in U.S.
dollars. However, outside the United States the multinational nature of our
activities means that contracts are usually priced in a single currency, most
often pounds Sterling, U.S. dollars or Euros, while costs arise in a number of
currencies, depending, among other things, on which of our offices provide staff
for the contract, and the location of investigator sites. Although many such
contracts benefit from some degree of natural hedging due to the matching of
contract revenues and costs in the same currency, where costs are incurred in
currencies other than those in which contracts are priced, fluctuations in the
relative value of those currencies could have a material effect on our results
of operations. We regularly review our currency exposures and hedge a portion of
these, using forward exchange contracts, where natural hedges do not cover them.
The introduction of the Euro on January 1, 1999, also reduced our exposures as
four of our offices, and many of the countries where we are carrying out
projects are within the Euro zone.

We have received capital and revenue grants from Enterprise Ireland, an Irish
government agency. We record capital grants as deferred income, which are
credited to income on a basis consistent with the depreciation of the relevant
asset. Grants relating to operating expenditures are credited to income in the
period in which the related expenditure is charged. The capital grant agreements
provide that in certain circumstances the grants received may be refundable in
full. These circumstances include sale of the related asset, liquidation of the
Company or failing to comply in other respects with the grant agreements. The
operating expenditure grant agreements provide for repayment in the event of
downsizing of the Company calculated by reference to any reduction in employee
numbers. We have not recognized any loss contingency having assessed as remote
the likelihood of these events arising. Up to November 30, 2003, we have
received $1,490,902 and $1,815,733 under the capital grants and operating
grants, respectively. Pursuant to the terms of the grant agreements we are
restricted from distributing some of these amounts by way of dividend or
otherwise.

As we conduct operations on a global basis, our effective tax rate has depended
and will depend on the geographic distribution of our revenue and earnings among
locations with varying tax rates. Our results of operations therefore may be
affected by changes in the tax rates of the various jurisdictions. In
particular, as the geographic mix of our results of operations among various tax
jurisdictions changes, our effective tax rate may vary significantly from period
to period.


Results of Operations

Three Months Ended November 30, 2003 Compared with Three Months Ended November
30, 2002

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain financial data
as a percentage of net revenue and the percentage change in these items compared
to the prior comparable period. The trends illustrated in the following table
may not be indicative of future results.



                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                     November 30,      November 30,                   2003
                                                        2003               2002                      to 2002
                                                                                                   Percentage
                                                        Percentage of Net Revenue                   Increase

                                                                                              
Net revenue............................             100.0%             100.0%                          36.7%
Costs and expenses:
Direct costs...........................              54.8%              53.6%                          39.5%
Selling, general and administrative
expense................................              30.1%              31.7%                          30.1%
Depreciation...........................               3.7%               2.9%                          73.1%
Income from operations.................              11.4%              11.8%                          32.9%



Net revenue increased by $19.7 million or 36.7%, from $53.5 million to $73.2
million. This improvement arose through a combination of increased business from
existing clients, business won from new clients and revenues from acquisitions
not included in the comparative period. The additional revenues from these
acquisitions (BPA, MCS, Medeval & Globomax) amounted to $8.5 million for the
three months ended November 30, 2003. Including the impact of acquisitions,
revenues in the United States, Europe/Rest of World grew 26.7% and 59.6%,
respectively. For the three months ended November 30, 2003, net revenue for our
central laboratory business grew by 9.7% from $6.0 million to $6.6 million while
our clinical research segment grew by 40.2% from $47.5 million to $66.6 million
over the comparable period. The growth in net revenue is due to the expansion



                                       13


of our services to both existing and new clients, increased use of outsourcing
by the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries, an underlying increase in
Research and Development spending and consolidation in the CRO industry.

Direct costs increased by $11.4 million, or 39.5%, from $28.7 million to $40.1
million, primarily due to increased staff numbers needed to support increased
project related activity and increased direct costs arising from the
acquisitions amounting to $4.6 million. Direct costs, as a percentage of net
revenue increased from 53.6% in the three months to November 30, 2002 to 54.8%
for the quarter ended November 30, 2003, or 54.8% when the effects of
acquisitions have been excluded.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $5.1 million, or 30.1%,
from $16.9 million to $22.0 million. The increase in costs is due to the
continued expansion of our operations and additional selling, general and
administrative costs from acquisitions of $2.8 million not included in the
comparative period. As a percentage of net revenue, selling, general and
administrative expenses, decreased from 31.7% in the three months to November
30, 2002, to 30.1% for the quarter ended November 30, 2003 or 29.7% when the
effects of acquisitions have been excluded.

Depreciation increased by $1.1 million, or 73.1%, from $1.6 million to $2.7
million. This increase is due to the continued investment in facilities and
information technology to support the growth in activity and in providing for
future capacity and increased cost arising from acquisitions of $0.2 million in
the current quarter. As a percentage of net revenue, depreciation and
amortization increased from 2.9% of net revenues in the three months to November
30, 2002, to 3.7% for the three months ended November 30, 2003, or 3.9% when the
effects of acquisitions have been excluded.

Income from operations increased by $2.1 million, or 32.9%, from $6.3 million to
$8.4 million, including acquisitions. This improvement is due to increased
levels of activity carried out across the Company together with the acquisition
of BPA, MCS, Medeval and Globomax. As a percentage of net revenue, including the
effect of acquisitions, income from operations decreased to 11.4% from 11.8% in
the comparative period. For the quarter, income from operations, as a percentage
of net revenue, for the central laboratory was (16.4%) from (1.4%) in the same
quarter in fiscal 2003. This fall was due to a lower than anticipated level of
processing activity. The central laboratory constitutes approximately 9% of our
business. Operating margins for our clinical research segment increased from
13.4% in the three months ended November 30, 2002, to 14.2% for the three months
ended November 30, 2003.

Net interest income for the three months ended November 30, 2003, was $75,000
compared to $73,000 for the equivalent period last year. Net cash invested
increased from $11.2 million at May 31, 2003, to $44.0 million at November 30,
2003, due principally to the net proceeds of US$44.3 million raised in our
secondary offering in August, 2003. Lower interest rates for the first quarter
when compared to the same period last year, contributed to the lower returns on
our investments.

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended November 30, 2003 was 25.8%
compared to 30.6% for the comparable period last year. The decrease in the
effective rate was due to a change in the geographic distribution of pre-tax
earnings and the impact of acquisitions.



                                       14




Six Months Ended November 30, 2003 Compared with six Months Ended November 30,
2002

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain financial data
as a percentage of net revenue and the percentage change in these items compared
to the prior comparable period. The trends illustrated in the following table
may not be indicative of future results.



                                                              Six Months Ended
                                                    November 30,      November 30,                     2003
                                                       2003               2002                       to 2002
                                                                                                    Percentage
                                                        Percentage of Net Revenue                    Increase

                                                                                              
Net revenue............................             100.0%             100.0%                          41.6%
Costs and expenses:
Direct costs...........................              54.7%              53.9%                          43.6%
Selling, general and administrative....              30.3%              31.5%                          36.3%
Depreciation and amortization..........               3.8%               3.1%                          69.0%
Income from operations.................              11.2%              11.5%                          38.8%




Net revenue increased by $41.7 million or 41.6%, from $100.4 million to $142.1
million. This improvement arose through a combination of increased business from
existing clients, business won from new clients and revenues from acquisitions
not included in the comparative period. The additional revenues from these
acquisitions (BPA, MCS, Medeval & Globomax) amounted to $16.5 million for the
six months ended November 30, 2003. Including the impact of acquisitions,
revenues in the United States, Europe/Rest of World grew 29.7% and 69.6%,
respectively. For the six months ended November 30, 2003, net revenue for our
central laboratory business fell by 6.7% from $13.2 million to $12.3 million
while our clinical research segment grew by 48.9% from $87.2 million to $129.8
million over the comparable period. The growth in net revenue is due to the
expansion of our services to both existing and new clients, increased use of
outsourcing by the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries, an underlying
increase in Research and Development spending and consolidation in the CRO
industry.

Direct costs increased by $23.7 million, or 43.6%, from $54.1 million to $77.8
million, primarily due to increased staff numbers needed to support increased
project related activity and increased direct costs arising from the
acquisitions amounting to $10.2 million. Direct costs, as a percentage of net
revenue increased from 53.9% in the six months to November 30, 2002 to 54.7% for
the six months ended November 30, 2003, or 54.4% when the effects of
acquisitions have been excluded.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $11.5 million, or
36.3%, from $31.6 million to $43.1 million. The increase in costs is due to the
continued expansion of our operations and additional selling, general and
administrative costs from acquisitions of $5.1 million not included in the
comparative period. As a percentage of net revenue, selling, general and
administrative expenses, decreased from 31.5% in the six months to November 30,
2002, to 30.3% for the six months ended November 30, 2003 or 30.2% when the
effects of acquisitions have been excluded.

Depreciation expense increased by $2.2 million, or 69.0%, from $3.1 million to
$5.3 million over the same period last year. This increase is due to the
continued investment in facilities and information technology to support the
growth in activity and in providing for future capacity and increased cost
arising from acquisitions of $0.4 million not included in the comparative
period. As a percentage of net revenue, depreciation and amortization increased
from 3.1% of net revenues in the six months to November 30, 2002, to 3.7% for
the six months ended November 30, 2003, or 3.9% when the effects of acquisitions
have been excluded.

Income from operations increased by $4.5 million or 38.8%, from $11.5 million to
$16.0 million, including acquisitions. This improvement is due to increased
levels of activity carried out across the Company together with the acquisition
of BPA, MCS, Medeval and Globomax. As a percentage of net revenue, including the
effect of acquisitions, income from operations decreased to 11.2% from 11.5% in
the comparative period. For the six months, income from operations, as a
percentage of net revenue, for the central laboratory was (18.7%) from 5.4% in
the same period in fiscal 2003. This fall was due to a lower than anticipated
level of processing activity. The central laboratory constitutes approximately
9% of our business. Operating margins for our clinical research segment
increased from 12.4% in the six months ended November 30, 2002, to 14.1% for the
six months ended November 30, 2003.

Net interest income for the six months ended November 30, 2003, was $122,000
compared to $259,000 for the equivalent period last year. Net cash invested
increased from $11.2 million at May 31, 2003, to $44.1 million at November 30,
2003, due principally to the net proceeds of US$44.3 million raised in our
secondary offering in August, 2003. Lower interest rates for the first six
months when compared to the same period last year contributed to the lower
returns on our investments.



                                       15


Our effective tax rate for the six months ended November 30, 2003 was 26.3%
compared to 28.7% for the comparable period last year. The decrease in the
effective rate was due to a change in the geographic distribution of pre-tax
earnings and the impact of acquisitions.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

The CRO industry generally is not capital intensive. Since our inception, we
have financed our operations and growth primarily with cash flows from
operations, net proceeds of $49.1 million raised in our initial public offering
in May 1998 and net proceeds of $44.3 million, raised in our secondary offering
in August 2003. Our principal cash needs are payment of salaries, office rents,
travel expenditures and payments to subcontractors. The aggregate amount of
employee compensation, excluding stock compensation expense, paid by us and our
subsidiaries in the six months ended November 30, 2002 and November 30, 2003,
amounted to $59.6 million and $84.0 million, respectively. Investing activities
primarily reflect capital expenditures for facilities and for information
systems enhancements, the sale and purchase of short-term investments and
acquisitions.

Our clinical research and development contracts are generally fixed price with
some variable components and range in duration from a few months to several
years. Revenue from contracts is generally recognized as income on a percentage
of completion basis as the work is performed. The cash flow from contracts
typically consists of a down payment of between 10% and 20% paid at the time the
contract is entered into, with the balance paid in instalments over the
contract's duration, in some cases on the achievement of certain milestones.
Accordingly, cash receipts do not necessarily correspond to costs incurred and
revenue recognized on contracts.

As of November 30, 2003, our working capital amounted to $95.8 million, compared
to $53.8 million at May 31, 2003, principally due to the receipt of net proceeds
of the secondary offering of $44.3 million. The other significant influence on
our operating cash flow is revenue outstanding, which comprises accounts
receivable and unbilled revenue, less payments on account. The dollar values of
these amounts and the related days revenue outstanding can vary due to the
achievement of contractual milestones, including contract signing, and the
timing of cash receipts. The number of days revenue outstanding, increased from
64 days at May 31, 2003 to 69 days at November 30, 2003.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $6.3 million in the six months
ended November 30, 2003, compared to $9.5 million in the six months ended
November 30, 2002.

Net cash used in investing activities was $19.3 million in the six months ended
November 30, 2003, compared to $16.8 million in the six months ended November
30, 2002.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $58.1 million in the six months
ended November 30, 2003, compared with $3.5 million used in financing activities
in the six months ended November 30, 2002. The main reason for this increase is
the receipt of the net proceeds of $44.3 million, following the sale of
1,500,000 American Depositary Shares in August 2003 by the Company.

As a result of these cash flows, cash and cash equivalents increased by $43.2
million in the six months ended November 30, 2003, compared to a decrease of
$11.0 million in the six months ended November 30, 2002.

On July 3, 2003, ICON entered into a facility agreement (the "Facility
Agreement") for the provision of a term loan facility of U.S.$40 million,
multi-currency overdraft facility of U.S.$5 million; and revolving credit
facility of U.S.$15 million (the "Facilities") with The Governor and Company of
the Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank Ireland Limited (the "Banks"). The
obligations of the borrowers under the Facilities are secured by certain
composite guarantees and indemnities and pledges in favour of each of the banks.
This facility bears interest at an annual rate equal to the Banks Prime Rate
plus three quarters of one percent. ICON is entitled to make borrowings under a
term loan facility of US$40 million and a multi currency overdraft facility of
US$5 million. As at November 30, 2003, the full amount of these facilities were
available to be drawn down. ICON Clinical Research, Inc. (a subsidiary of ICON
plc) is entitled to make borrowings under a revolving credit facility of U.S.$15
million. As at November 30, 2003, the full amount of this facility was utilised.

On November 17, 1998, we entered into an overdraft facility (the "A.I.B.
facility") for (euro)2,539,000 (U.S.$2,759,893) with Allied Irish Banks plc
("A.I.B."). This facility bore an annual interest rate equal to A.I.B. Bank's
Prime Rate plus one-quarter of one percent. The full sum of the unpaid principal
and interest was repayable on demand. This facility was terminated on July 3,
2003.

On July 29, 2002, we entered into an additional A.I.B. facility for
STG(pound)50,000 (U.S.$85,623) This facility bore interest at an annual rate
equal to A.I.B. Bank's Prime Rate plus two percent. The full sum of the unpaid
principal and interest was repayable on demand. This facility was terminated on
July 3, 2003.



                                       16


Our U.S. subsidiary, ICON Clinical Research, Inc. (the "Borrower"), had a $12
million secured line of credit (the "PNC Facility") with PNC Bank N.A.
("P.N.C."). The PNC Facility bore interest at an annual rate equal to PNC's
Prime Rate less three-quarters of one percent. The full sum of the unpaid
principal and interest was payable on demand. The PNC Facility was secured by a
first priority security interest in certain assets of the Borrower. This
facility was terminated on July 3, 2003.

We have entered into an overdraft agreement with A.I.B., whereby we guaranteed
any overdrafts of our subsidiaries, ICON Clinical Research GmbH and ICON
Clinical Research Israel Ltd., up to an amount (euro)112,484 (U.S.$133,945) and
U.S.$250,000 (ILS 1,116,022), respectively. As at November 30, 2003, the full
German and Israeli facility were available to be drawn down.

We expect to spend approximately U.S.$16.0 million in the next twelve months on
further investments in information technology, the expansion of existing
facilities and the addition of new offices, and expect an increased level of
spending in subsequent years. We believe that we will be able to fund our
additional foreseeable cash needs for the next twelve months from cash flow from
operations and existing cash balances. In the future, we will consider acquiring
further businesses to enhance our service offerings and global presence. Any
such acquisitions may require additional external financing and we may from time
to time seek to obtain funds from public or private issues of equity or debt
securities. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available on
terms acceptable to us.


Inflation

We believe the effects of inflation generally do not have a material adverse
impact on our operations or financial conditions.


New Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets". This statement supersedes both SFAS No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
Be Disposed Of", and the accounting and reporting provisions for the disposal of
a segment of a business of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 30,
"Reporting the Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a
Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring
Events and Transactions". SFAS No. 144 retains the fundamental provisions in
SFAS No. 121 for recognizing and measuring impairment losses on long-lived
assets held for use and long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, while also
resolving significant implementation issues associated with SFAS No. 121. SFAS
No. 144 also retains the basic provisions of APB Opinion No. 30 on how to
present discontinued operations in the income statement but broadens that
presentation to include a component of an entity (rather than a segment of a
business). The Company adopted SFAS No. 144 on June 1, 2002. Adoption of SFAS
No. 144 did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations
and financial position.

In November 2001, the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, released EITF Issue
01-14, "Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for `Out of
Pocket' Expenses Incurred", requiring companies to report reimbursed costs as
part of gross revenues. Reimbursed costs include such items as payments to
investigators and travel costs for our clinical research staff. The Company does
not generally earn a profit on these costs. The Company has always included such
reimbursed costs within the measure of gross revenues and adoption of EITF Issue
01-14 had no effect on the reported results.

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No.
4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections".
SFAS No. 145 provides for the rescission of several previously issued accounting
standards, new accounting guidance of the accounting for certain lease
modifications and various technical corrections that are not substantive in
nature to existing pronouncements. SFAS No. 145 will be adopted beginning June
1, 2003, except for the provisions relating to the amendment of SFAS No. 13,
which have been adopted for the transactions occurring subsequent to May 15,
2002. Adoption of SFAS No. 145 did not have a material impact on the Company's
results of operations and financial position.

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated
with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS No. 146"). SFAS 146 addresses financial
accounting reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and
nullifies EITF Issue 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee
Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit and Activity". SFAS 146 requires
that a liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity be
recognized and measured initially at fair value only when the liability is
incurred. SFAS No. 146 is effective for exit or disposal activities that are
initiated after December 31, 2002. SFAS No. 146 did not have a material impact
on our results of operations and financial postion.



                                       17


In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor's Accounting
and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of
Indebtedness of Others ("FIN 45"), This interpretation addresses the disclosure
to be made by a guarantor in its financial statements about its obligation under
guarantees. FIN 45 also requires the guarantor to recognize a liability for the
non-contingent component of the guarantee, that is the obligation to stand ready
to perform in the event that specified triggering events or conditions occur.
The initial measurement of this liability is the fair value of the guarantee at
inception. The disclosure requirements in this Interpretation are effective for
financial statements of interim and annual periods ending after December 15,
2002. The recognition and measurement provisions are applicable on a prospective
basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002, irrespective of
the guarantors fiscal year-end. Adoption of FIN 45 did not have a significant
effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - an amendment of FASB statement No.
123" ("SFAS 148"). SFAS 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a
voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based
employee compensation. In addition, this statement amends the disclosure
requirements of SFAS 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and
interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based
employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The
transition provisions of SFAS 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after
December 15, 2002. The enhanced disclosure requirements are included in the
financial statements. The Company has decided to continue to account for stock
options in accordance with the provisions of APB No. 25.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of
Variable Interest Entities ("FIN 46"), which interprets Accounting Research
Bulletin ("ARB") No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements. FIN 46 clarifies the
application of ARB No. 51 with respect to the consolidation of certain entities
(variable interest entities - "VIE's") to which the usual condition for
consolidation described in ARB No. 51 does not apply because the controlling
financial interest in VIE's may be achieved through arrangements that do not
involve voting interests. In addition, FIN 46 requires the primary beneficiary
of VIE's and the holder of a significant variable interest in VIE's to disclose
certain information relating to their involvement with the VIE's. The provisions
of FIN 46 apply immediately to VIE's created after January 31, 2003, and to
VIE's in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. FIN 46 applies
in the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2003, to VIE's in which an
enterprise holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003.
The Company did not create or obtain an interest in a VIE after January 31, 2003
and does not expect the impact of fully adopting FIN 46 to have a significant
impact on our financial statements.

On April 30, 2003, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 149, Amendment of
Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which amends
FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, to address (1) decisions reached by the Derivatives Implementation
Group, (2) developments in other Board projects that address financial
instruments, and (3) implementation issues related to the definition of a
derivative. Statement 149 has multiple effective date provisions depending on
the nature of the amendment to Statement 133. Under SFAS No. 133, the Company's
foreign exchange contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. The
Company does not expect the impact of adopting Statement 149 to have a
significant impact on our financial statements.

On May 15, 2003, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 150, Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. This
Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures
certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and
equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is
within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). Many of
those instruments were previously classified as equity. This Statement is
effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003,
and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period
beginning after June 15, 2003, except for mandatorily redeemable financial
instruments of non-public entities. It is to be implemented by reporting the
cumulative effect of a change in an accounting principle for financial
instruments created before the issuance date of the Statement and still existing
at the beginning of the interim period of adoption. Restatement is not
permitted. The Company does not expect the impact of adopting Statement 150 to
have a significant impact on our financial statements.

The Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) has reached a final consensus on EITF
Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. This Issue
addresses certain aspects of the accounting by a vendor for arrangements under
which it will perform multiple revenue-generating activities, specifically how
to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains
more than one unit of accounting. The Issue also addresses how arrangement
consideration should be measured and allocated to the separate units of
accounting in the arrangement. The guidance in this Issue is effective for
revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15,
2003, with a possible alternative means of adoption by applying the new rules to
existing contracts and recording the effect of adoption as a cumulative effect
of a change in accounting principle. The Company have adopted EITF Issue No.
00-21 on June 1, 2003 and it did not have a significant impact on the financial
statements.


                                       18



Legal Proceedings

We are not party to any litigation or other legal proceedings that we believe
could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.



                                       19




                                   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.





                                          ICON plc



February 2, 2004                          /s/ Sean Leech
--------------------------                ----------------------------
Date                                      Sean Leech
                                          Chief Financial Officer





                                       20