-----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,
 BbVd+a97LwfEh7wkYlHayDDN+2itMHT/Z1e1kGWwon6rm5X3m8sHnnx6O8D1vm4c
 EFkEdcC5+e6CV3N9zJ7FxQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000902664-04-000084.txt : 20040116
<SEC-HEADER>0000902664-04-000084.hdr.sgml : 20040116
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040116195947
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000902664-04-000084
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040109
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040116

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TONTINE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001272374

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10436
		FILM NUMBER:		04530682

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O TORTINE PARTNERS LP
		STREET 2:		55 RAILRAOD AVENUE 3RD FL
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENDELL JEFFREY L ET AL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000948904

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10436
		FILM NUMBER:		04530686

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		31 WEST 52ND ST
		STREET 2:		17TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		200 PARK AVENUE SUITE 3900
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FOSTER L B CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000352825
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-METALS SERVICE CENTERS & OFFICES [5051]
		IRS NUMBER:				251324733
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		415 HOLIDAY DR
		CITY:			PITTSBURGH
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15220
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4129283431

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		415 HOLIDAY DR
		CITY:			PITTSBURGH
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15220

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TONTINE MANAGEMENT LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001268959
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10436
		FILM NUMBER:		04530684

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2037692000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TONTINE OVERSEAS ASSOCIATES LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001268961
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10436
		FILM NUMBER:		04530683

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2037692000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TONTINE PARTNERS L P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001269122

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10436
		FILM NUMBER:		04530685

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2037692000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 RAILROAD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>srz04-0040_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2004-01-09</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000352825</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FOSTER L B CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FSTR</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000948904</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GENDELL JEFFREY L ET AL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>55 RAILROAD AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>1</isOther>
         <otherText>See footnote (1)</otherText>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001269122</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TONTINE PARTNERS L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>55 RAILROAD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>1</isOther>
         <otherText>See footnote (1)</otherText>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001268959</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TONTINE MANAGEMENT LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>55 RAILROAD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>1</isOther>
         <otherText>See footnote (1)</otherText>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001268961</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TONTINE OVERSEAS ASSOCIATES LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>55 RAILROAD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>1</isOther>
         <otherText>See footnote (1)</otherText>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001272374</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TONTINE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O TORTINE PARTNERS LP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>55 RAILRAOD AVENUE 3RD FL</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>1</isOther>
         <otherText>See footnote (1)</otherText>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>1107236</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>I</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
         <natureOfOwnership>
            <value>See footnotes</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> This report is filed jointly by Jeffrey L. Gendell, Tontine Partners, L.P. (&quot;TP&quot;), Tontine Management, L.L.C. (&quot;TM&quot;), Tontine Capital Management, L.L.C. (&quot;TCM&quot;) and Tontine Overseas Associates, L.L.C. (&quot;TOA&quot;).  Mr. Gendell is the managing member of TM and TCM, each a Delaware limited liability company.  TM is the general partner of TP, a Delaware limited liability partnership.  Mr. Gendell is also the managing member of TOA, a Delaware limited liability company, the investment adviser of Tontine Overseas Fund, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (&quot;TOF&quot;).</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> Mr. Gendell indirectly owns 1,107,236 shares of Common Stock.  TP directly owns 583,572 shares of Common Stock.  TM indirectly owns 583,572 shares of Common Stock.  TCM directly owns 112,520 shares of Common Stock.  TOA indirectly owns 411,144 shares of Common Stock.  Mr. Gendell, TM, TCM and TOA disclaim beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ Jeffrey L. Gendell</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2004-01-16</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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