SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25

                         Commission File Number 0-16093

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

            (Check One):[X]  Form 10-K [ ]Form 11-K [ ]Form 20-F
                        [ ]  Form 10-Q [ ]Form N-SAR

            For Period Ended:          December 31, 2002
                          ------------------------------------------------------



___  Transition Report on Form 10-K
___  Transition Report on Form 20-F
___  Transition Report on Form 11-K
___  Transition Report on Form 10-Q
___  Transition Report on Form N-SAR


     For the Transition Period Ended:
                                     ------------------------------------------

     Read attached  instruction  sheet before  preparing  form.  Please print or
type.

     Nothing in this form shall be  construed to imply that the  Commission  has
verified any information contained herein.

     If the  notification  relates  to a portion of the  filing  checked  above,
identify     the     item(s)    to    which    the     notification     relates:


                                     PART 1
                             REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Full name of registrant:  CONMED Corporation
                          ------------------------------------------------------
Former name if applicable:                                    .
                           -----------------------------------------------------
Address of principal executive office (street and number):  525 French Road
                                                            --------------------
City, state and zip code:  Utica, NY 13502
                          ------------------------------------------------------

                                     PART 11
                             RULE 12b-25 (b) and (c)

     If the subject  report could not be filed  without  unreasonable  effort or
expense  and  the  registrant  seeks  relief  pursuant  to Rule  12b-25(b),  the
following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

     (a)  The reasons  described in  reasonable  detail in Part III of this form
          could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;


(b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or a portion thereof will be filed on or before the 15th calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25c has been attached if applicable. PART III NARRATIVE State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Form 10-KSB, 11-K, 20-F, 10-Q, N-SAR or the transition report portion thereof could not be filed within the prescribed time period. (Attached extra sheets if needed.) The Company requires additional time to prepare and file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (the "2002 Form 10-K"). The filing of the Company's Form 10-K has been delayed while it awaits an independent verification of the life of certain of the Company's intangible assets related to customer relationships. This information has been requested by the Company's independent auditors in order to complete their audit of the Company's financial statements. The Customer Relationship intangible asset under review was recorded as a result of an independent appraisal in connection with the December 31, 1997 purchase accounting for the Company's purchase of Linvatec Corporation as incorporated in all of the Company's audited financial statements since the acquisition. PART IV OTHER INFORMATION (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification Robert D. Shallish Jr. 315 624-3206 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name) (Area Code) (Telephone Number) (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the proceeding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the answer is no, identify report(s). X Yes No ------ ------ (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof? Yes X No ------- ------

If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. CONMED Corporation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Date March 31, 2003 By /s/ Robert D. Shallish, Jr. ------------------------------------ --------------------------- Robert D. Shallish Jr. Chief Financial Officer INSTRUCTIONS: This form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative (other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.

ATTENTION Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal Criminal Violations (see 18 U.S.C. 1001). GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 1. This form is required by Rule 12b-25 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 2. One signed original and four conformed copies of this form and amendments thereto must be completed and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, in accordance with Rule G-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Act. The information contained in or filed with the form will be made a matter of public record in the Commission files. 3. A manually signed copy of the form and amendments thereto shall be filed with each national securities exchange on which any class of securities of the registrant is registered. 4. Amendments to the notifications must also be filed on Form 12b-25 but need not restate information that has been correctly furnished. The form shall be clearly identified as an amended notification. 5. ELECTRONIC FILERS. This form shall not be used by electronic filers unable to timely file a report solely due to electronic difficulties. Filers unable to submit a report within the time period prescribed due to difficulties in electronic filing should comply with either Rule 201 or Rule 202 of Regulations S-T or apply for an adjustment in filing date pursuant to Rule 13(b) of Regulations S-T.