Code for a game I'm developing-- in need of help// problem 1/99999999

Ok. It's for a simple Melee hit. I'm trying to see if the melee works by allowing a message to pop up in the console. If it does.. then it works. but instead I'm facing this problem. here's the code.

#pragma strict

var TheDamage : int = 50;
var Distance : float;

function Update ()
{
if(Input.GetButtonDown("Fire1"))
{
var hit : RaycastHit;
if(Physics.Raycast (transform.position, transform.TransformDirection(Vector3.forward), hit));
{
Distance = hit.distance;
hit.transform.SendMessage("ApplyDamage", TheDamage, SendMessageOptions.DontRequireReciever);
}
}
}

The problem is

Distance = hit.distance;

The engine is stating that it was expecting : instead of =

If I change = to : to see the outcome, a whole mess of shite happens.

So, can anyone tell me with the problem?

TIA