-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KJXYeprxc5zGIGoD36OTMbetecXkjDds9xjUM7tHgzE1okqvQKrXWOwKAazgxMbj
 tNs6DXy1UQoG/CrjU1Zs1A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-03-004413.txt : 20031120
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-03-004413.hdr.sgml : 20031120
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031120131311
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-03-004413
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031120
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HASSELBUSCH STAN L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001218304

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10436
		FILM NUMBER:		031015110

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		L B FOSTER CO
		STREET 2:		415 HOLIDAY DRIVE
		CITY:			PITTSBURGH
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15220
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4129283403

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-11-20</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000352825</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FOSTER L B CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FSTR</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001218304</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HASSELBUSCH STAN L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>L.B. FOSTER COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>415 HOLIDAY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PITTSBURGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15220</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>President and Chief Executive</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable>
<nonDerivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-11-20</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>700</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>3.56</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>37516</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-11-20</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>700</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>6.10</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>36816</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>25636</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value>approximate share equivalent to units held in 401(k) trust</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable>
<derivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Option to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>5.25</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate>
<value>1998-08-13</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2008-08-12</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>25000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>25000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Option to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>4.38</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate>
<value>1998-10-23</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2008-10-22</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>25000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>25000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Option to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>4.44</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2001-03-01</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2010-02-28</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>50000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>50000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Option to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>2.75</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2002-02-02</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2011-02-01</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>20000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>20000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Option to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>3.65</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2002-05-09</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2011-05-08</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>30000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>30000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Option to  Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>4.75</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2002-12-12</value>
<footnoteId id="F4"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2011-12-11</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>50000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>50000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Option to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>5.50</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2002-05-15</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2012-05-14</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>20000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>20000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Option to  Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>3.56</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-11-20</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>700</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>3.56</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>1994-07-22</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2004-07-21</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>700</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>13900</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F1">25% becomes exercisable on 3/1/01 and an additional 25% becomes vested on each of the next three anniversaries</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">25% becomes exercisable on 2/2/02 and an additional 25% becomes vested on each of the next three anniversaries</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">25% becomes exercisable on 5/9/02 and an additional 25% becomes vested on each of the next three anniversaries.</footnote>
<footnote id="F4">25% becomes exercisable on 12/12/02 and an additional 25% becomes vested on each of the next three anniversaries.</footnote>
<footnote id="F5">25% becomes exercisable on 5/15/03 and an additional 25% becomes vested on each of the next three anniversaries.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<remarks></remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Stan L. Hasselbusch</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-11-20</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----