================================================================================

                       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

        Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) January 4, 2007

                          VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

          Delaware                        1-7598                 94-2359345
----------------------------         ----------------        -------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction         (Commission File          (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)                  Number)             Identification No.)

     3100 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA                              94304-1030
----------------------------------------                         ----------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                         (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code (650) 493-4000

                                 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 8.01.    Other Events
              ------------

        On January 4, 2007, Varian Medical Systems, Inc. issued a press release
regarding its agreement to acquire ACCEL Instruments GmbH. A copy of the press
release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference into this
item.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.
              ---------------------------------

        (d)   Exhibits.
              --------

        99.1 Press Release dated January 4, 2007 titled "Varian Medical
Systems Announces Intent To Acquire ACCEL Instruments GmbH; Company To Supply
Proton Therapy Products for Cancer Treatments."

                                        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.

                                           Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

                                           By:     /s/ JOHN W. KUO
                                                   -----------------------------
                                           Name:   John W. Kuo
                                           Title:  Corporate Vice President,
                                                   General Counsel and Secretary

Dated:  January 4, 2007

                                        3


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Number                               Exhibit
-----    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
99.1     Press Release dated January 4, 2007  titled "Varian Medical Systems
         Announces Intent To Acquire ACCEL Instruments GmbH; Company To Supply
         Proton Therapy Products for Cancer Treatments."

                                        4