PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 42 Rule 424 (b)(3)
DATED: Ocotber 1, 1997 File No. 333-31277
(To Prospectus dated August 13, 1997
and Prospectus Supplement dated August 13, 1997)
$5,180,520,162
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
$50,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
10/06/97 [_] [_]
Maturity Date: 01/08/2001
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
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[_] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate
[x] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: *** Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: Two Years
Spread (plus or minus): +.20%
- ------------------------------------------
* Quarterly on the 6th, commencing January 8, 1998.
** Quarterly on the 6th, commencing January 8, 1998.
*** The CMT Rate on October 2, 1997, plus 20 basis points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in
Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
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