UNITED STATES
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

October 22, 2004
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

_________________

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_________________

South Dakota
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


001-31303
(Commission File Number)

625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400
Rapid City, South Dakota
(Address of principal executive offices) 		46-0458824
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

57709-1400
(Zip Code)

605.721.1700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

_________________

        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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

        Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

        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 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On October 22, 2004, the Registrant issued a press release announcing an earnings range for the third quarter of 2004 of approximately $0.50 to $0.54 per share. In addition, the release also provided information on recent treasury transactions.

The press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K. This information is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

  (c)   Exhibits

       Number   Exhibit

         99     Press Press release dated October 22, 2004

2

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.

                                          BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

                                             By:    /s/ Mark T. Thies
                                        Mark T. Thies
                                        Executive Vice President
                                              and Chief Financial Officer

Date: October 26, 2004

3

EXHIBIT INDEX
to

Black Hills Corporation
October 22, 2004 Form 8-K

          Exhibit
          Number                 Description

     99   Press Release dated October 22, 2004.

4