<PAGE>
PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 54 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: October 6, 1994 File No. 33-52701
(To Prospectus dated April 8, 1994
and Prospectus Supplement dated April 8, 1994)
$2,873,608,750
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
WITH MINIMUM MATURITY OF NINE MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
Principal Amount: Floating Rate Notes Book Entry Notes
$25,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
10/13/94 [_] [_]
Maturity Date: 10/16/95
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [_] Final Maturity Date:
Optional Optional
Redemption Repayment Repayment
Redeemable On Price(s) Date(s) Price(s)
------------- -------- ------- --------
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
- -----------------------------------
Interest Rate:
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
- --------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): *
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Quarterly
[x] LIBOR Interest Payment Date(s): **
[_] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Initial Interest Rate: ***
Index Maturity: Three Months
Spread (plus or minus): +.10%
- -------------------------
* 1/17/95, 4/17/95 and 7/17/95.
** 1/17/95, 4/17/95, 7/17/95 and 10/16/95.
*** Three month LIBOR rate as of October 11, 1994 plus 10 basis points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in the
applicable sections of Schedule E to the By-laws of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\2322\BBB72894.S6I