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): SEPTEMBER 16, 2002


                             Commission file number:
                                    000-15760



                                  HARDINGE INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)




           NEW YORK                                     16-0470200
 ------------------------------                ----------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                    (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                      Identification No.)


                       ONE HARDINGE DRIVE ELMIRA, NY 14902
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


                                 (607) 734-2281
               (Registrant's telephone number including area code)







ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS


          On September 16, 2002, Hardinge Inc. issued a press release announcing
the formation of an alliance with Bridgeport International. A copy of the press
release is included as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is
incorporated herein by reference.



ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS


(a)      Not applicable
(b)      Not applicable
(c)      Exhibits

           99    Press Release issued by registrant on  September 16, 2002.


..









                                   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, thereunto duly authorized.


                                  HARDINGE INC.





SEPTEMBER  18, 2002                        By: /s/ RICHARD L. SIMONS
---------------------                          ---------------------
Date                                           Richard L. Simons
                                               Executive Vice President and
                                               Chief Financial Officer
                                               (Principal Financial Officer)