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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 qlUIMv0Jp5se7togDGDHcQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-023263.txt : 20041215
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-023263.hdr.sgml : 20041215
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041215133342
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-023263
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041215
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041215

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GLOYD LAWRENCE E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001113695

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05426
		FILM NUMBER:		041204155

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5028934663

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5001 NORTH SECOND STREET
		CITY:			ROCKFORD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			61111

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>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000097886</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TII</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001113695</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GLOYD LAWRENCE E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1734 RIVERSIDE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BELVIDERE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>61008</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>179</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>38.972</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13423</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Directors fees paid in deferred stock pursuant to election by the above named Director.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes deferred shares acquired during the current year under the Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John F. Wiedmar, Power of Attorney for Lawrence E. Gloyd</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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