-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 A+o0sSGpHHRrfqN7owE/HgrIxUWXds5qlMFqqrL/CvnZzNGWdwcTWjVpLN6JVWXb
 1KNXexL/kS6zB4XiJRSaQw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000893750-08-000007.txt : 20080104
<SEC-HEADER>0000893750-08-000007.hdr.sgml : 20080104
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080104150443
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000893750-08-000007
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080104
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080104

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001084961
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6153]
		IRS NUMBER:				481090909
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8875 AERO DRIVE, SUITE 200
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8007590327

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8875 AERO DRIVE, SUITE 200
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92123

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCM CAPITAL GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990430

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MIDLAND CORP OF KANSAS
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990423

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JCF Associates II-A LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001397175
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		08511177

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 FIFTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		26TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212 404 6800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 FIFTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		26TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JCF Associates II-A LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001397176
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		08511178

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 FIFTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		26TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212 404 6800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 FIFTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		26TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JCF FPK I LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001397177
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			A0
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		08511179

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 FIFTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		26TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212 404 6800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 FIFTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		26TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001084961</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ECPG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001397177</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JCF FPK I LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>717 FIFTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>26TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001397176</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JCF Associates II-A LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>717 FIFTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>26TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001397175</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JCF Associates II-A LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>717 FIFTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>26TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5737032</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-01-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5931</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5742963</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">JCF FPK I LP, an Alberta limited partnership, JCF Associates II-A LP, a Delaware limited partnership, JCF Associates II-A
 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and J. Christopher Flowers may be deemed to be part of a group with Red Mountain
 Capital Partners LLC, Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P., Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P., RMCP GP LLC, Red
 Mountain Capital Management Inc. and Willem Mesdag (collectively, &quot;Red Mountain&quot;) and, accordingly, may be deemed, for the
 purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules promulgated thereunder (the
 &quot;Exchange Act&quot;) to beneficially own the 3,435,062 shares of Common Stock of Encore Capital Group, Inc. (&quot;Encore&quot;)
 beneficially owned by Red Mountain. The reporting persons do not have any pecuniary interest in such securities and disclaim
 beneficial ownership of such securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or for any other purposes.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares are held directly by JCF FPK I LP. J. Christopher Flowers holds an indirect interest in the reported securities
 through a pecuniary interest in JCF Associates II-A LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. JCF Associates II-A LLC holds
 an indirect interest in the reported securities through a pecuniary interest in JCF Associates II-A LP, a Delaware limited
 partnership. JCF Associates II-A LP holds an indirect interest in the reported securities through a pecuniary interest in
 JCF FPK I LP, a Delaware limited partnership. Mr. Flowers is the sole managing member of JCF Associates II-A LLC, which is
 the general partner of JCF Associates II-A LP, which is the general partner of JCF FPK I LP. Mr. Flowers therefore controls
 JCF Associates II-A LLC, which controls JCF Associates II-A LP, which controls JCF FPK I LP. (con't)</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">(con't) Mr. Flowers, JCF Associates II-A LLC and JCF Associates II-A LP  disclaim beneficial ownership of the reported
 securities except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein, and the inclusion of these securities in this report
 shall not be deemed to be an admission that Mr. Flowers, JCF Associates II-A LLC and JCF Associates II-A LP  have beneficial
 ownership of such securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or for any other purposes.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">On January 2, 2008, Encore issued 5,931 restricted stock units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) to JCF FPK I LP under the Encore 2005 Stock Incentive
 Plan in connection with the service of Tim Hanford and John Oros as members of Encore's board of directors. Each RSU
 represents the right to receive one share of Encore common stock. These 5,931 RSUs are not subject to vesting.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>JCF FPK I LP /s/ Sally Rocker Title: Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>JCF Associates II-A LP /s/ Sally Rocker Title: Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>JCF Associates II-A LLC /s/ Sally Rocker Title: Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>J. Christopher Flowers /s/ J. Christopher Flowers</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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