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): July 22, 2004



                              KEY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


      OREGON                          0-21820                      93-0822509
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)         (IRS Employer
   of incorporation)                                         Identification No.)




                                150 Avery Street
                          Walla Walla, Washington 99362
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)



                                 (509) 529-2161
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



Item 7.           Financial Statements and Exhibits.

        (c) Exhibits.

        Exhibit No.      Description
        -----------      -----------

        99.1             Key Technology, Inc. Press Release, dated July 22, 2004



Item 12.          Regulation FD Disclosure.

On July 22, 2004, Key Technology, Inc, ("Key") issued a press release regarding
Key's financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004. The
full text of Key's press release, together with the related Statement of
Selected Operating Information and Selected Balance Sheet Information, are
attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

This information shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or
incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific
reference in such a filing.



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the registrant has duly caused this current report on Form 8-K to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                        KEY TECHNOLOGY, INC.


                                        /s/ PHYLLIS BEST
                                        ----------------
                                        Phyllis Best
                                        Chief Financial Officer

Dated:  July 22, 2004



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

        Exhibit No.     Description
        -----------     -------------------------------------------------------

          99.1          Key Technology, Inc. Press Release, dated July 22, 2004