-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 FjJyqZxeNdLFsL+EXrGkeccafEzZ3BoZqQ+jnGJX72FtnBxNWktRAFpI4tuIqgg/
 NR2YaQ4YuTOUuDSO61ii8Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-013262.txt : 20031223
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-013262.hdr.sgml : 20031223
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031223115722
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-013262
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031219
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031223

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BROWN TIMOTHY C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203423

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05426
		FILM NUMBER:		031069970

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 35120
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40232

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000097886
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT [3640]
		IRS NUMBER:				610505332
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4360 BROWNBORO ROAD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40207
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5028934600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4360 BROWNBORO ROAD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 300
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40207
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-19</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000097886</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TII</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203423</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BROWN TIMOTHY C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4360 BROWNSBORO ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOUISVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>40207</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>President &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Cash Only Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>34.35</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-19</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>21700</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2005-12-19</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-12-19</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>21700</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>21700</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Exercisable one-third per year commencing 12/19/05.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ John F. Wiedmar, Jr., Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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