SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

November 14, 2003

Date of report (date of earliest event reported)

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Massachusetts

333-105746

04-1456030

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

Commission File Number

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

222 Berkeley Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(617) 351-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

99.01 Press release dated November 14, 2003 announcing Registrant’s results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

Item 12. Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

This information is furnished pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K “Results of Operations and Financial Condition,” in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8216. This information and the exhibits hereto are being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of, or otherwise regarded as filed under, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The information contained in this report shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of Registrant with the SEC, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings.

On November 14, 2003, Registrant issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.01.

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 hereunto duly authorized.

Date: November 14, 2003

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY

By: /s/ SYLVIA METAYER

Sylvia Metayer

Executive Vice President and

Interim Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT LIST

99.01 Press release dated November 14, 2003 announcing Registrant’s financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN CO 8-K