-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 VTzFk1F2o9ox50ejJQz8nPTdexHPfO6riFBmPGELFVZaCsUU3D/8MUcOaFiZvZsZ
 Ci+jjzX/r86O8ZQQCGSkoQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-001612.txt : 20080104
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-001612.hdr.sgml : 20080104
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080104142714
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-001612
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:			RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001374607
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		08510905

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(310) 432-0207

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001374588
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		08510906

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(310) 432-0207

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001374602
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		08510909

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(310) 432-0207

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MESDAG WILLEM
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001374566

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		08510910

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(310) 432-0207

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC.
		STREET 2:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RMCP GP LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001374606
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		08510907

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(310) 432-0207

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001374600
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		08510908

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(310) 432-0207

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD SUITE 925
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd186970.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 FOR WILL MESDAG
<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>0001374566</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MESDAG WILLEM</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 925</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001374602</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 925</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001374600</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 925</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001374606</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RMCP GP LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 925</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001374588</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 925</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001374607</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10100 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 925</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90067</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>748009</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through RMCP II (as defined below).</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2687053</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through RMCP III (as defined below).</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <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>5648</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5648</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through RMCP LLC (as defined below)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares are held directly by Red Mountain Capital Partners II, L.P. (&quot;RMCP II&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares are held directly by Red Mountain Capital Partners III, L.P. (&quot;RMCP III&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">On August 24, 2007, Encore Capital Group, Inc. (&quot;Encore&quot;) granted 6,900 deferred issuance restricted stock units (the &quot;RSUs&quot;) to Willem Mesdag under the Encore 2005 Stock Incentive Plan in connection with his service as a member of Encore's board of directors.  Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Encore common stock.  These 6,900 RSUs are subject to vesting.  50% of these 6,900 RSUs will vest on September 23, 2008, and the remaining 50% will vest on August 23, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">On January 2, 2008, Encore issued 5,648 RSUs to Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC (&quot;RMCP LLC&quot;) under the Encore 2005 Stock Incentive Plan in connection with the service of Mr. Mesdag and J. Christopher Teets as members of Encore's board of directors.  Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Encore common stock.  These 5,648 RSUs are not subject to vesting.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>This Form 4 is jointly filed by (i) RMCP II, (ii) RMCP III, (iii) RMCP GP LLC (&quot;RMCP GP&quot;), (iv) RMCP LLC, (v) Red Mountain Capital Management, Inc. (&quot;RMCM&quot;), and (vi) Mr. Mesdag.  RMCP GP is the general partner of each of RMCP II and RMCP III.  RMCP LLC is the managing member of RMCP GP.  RMCM is the managing member of RMCP LLC.  Mr. Mesdag is the president, sole executive officer, sole director and sole shareholder of RMCM.  Mr. Mesdag is also a director of Encore.  Each of the reporting persons hereunder disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of its or his pecuniary interest therein.  In addition, RMCP II disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities held directly by RMCP III, and RMCP III disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities held directly by RMCP II.  Each of RMCP II, RMCP III, RMCP GP, RMCP LLC and RMCM also disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities held directly by Mr. Mesdag.  This Form 4 shall not be deemed 
to be an admission that any reporting person hereunder is the beneficial owner of any of the reported securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other purpose.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Willem Mesdag (on behalf of himself and each other reporting person hereunder)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----