SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934            

For the quarterly period ended:       September 30, 1997                


                       Commission File Number 1-5426.                   


                          THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC.                        
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        Delaware                                       61-0505332    
(State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S.  Employer
 incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)

4360 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, Kentucky                 40207
(Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

              Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  

                               502/893-4600           


                               Not applicable              
(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  [X]      No  [ ]

The number of shares outstanding of issuer's Common Stock, $1 par value, as of
November 1, 1997, was 10,570,089 shares.



PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)


                       THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
                   (Dollars in Thousands Except Amounts Per Share)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Three Months Ended                  Nine Months Ended
                                                     September 30                        September 30
                                                    1997          1996                 1997         1996

  
<S>                                               <C>             <C>                <C>               <C>
Net sales                                         $141,204        $129,611           $407,549          $381,003 
Cost of products sold                               97,023          90,423            281,571           269,487 
Gross profit                                        44,181          39,188            125,978           111,516

Other (income) expenses:
  Selling, general, and
    administrative expenses                         32,015          28,583             94,309            86,295
  Interest expense                                   1,500           1,801              4,802             5,531
  Other                                               (461)           (503)              (819)             (941)
    Income before income taxes                      11,127           9,307             27,686            20,631 
  Income tax provision                               4,102           3,405             10,229             7,656
                   Net income                     $  7,025        $  5,902           $ 17,457          $ 12,975
Per Share amounts:
  Net income per share                                $.43            $.37              $1.07              $.81
  Weighted average number of
    common shares and common
    share equivalents                           16,338,284      16,015,263         16,322,883        15,989,750


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>




                     THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                               (Dollars in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       (Unaudited)
                                                                                 September 30      December 31
                                                                                     1997             1996* 
<S>                                                                                 <C>              <C>
ASSETS 
Current assets  
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                         $12,163          $ 18,826
  Accounts receivable, less allowance
    (1997--$2,220; 1996--$2,243)                                                     82,950            68,239
  Inventories:
    Finished products                                                                35,544            33,072
    Raw materials                                                                    22,329            21,622
    Work in process                                                                  15,302            14,553
                                                                                     73,175            69,247
  Deferred income taxes                                                               7,137             7,167
  Other current assets                                                                6,872             6,885
                            Total current assets                                    182,297           170,364

Property, plant and equipment                                                       158,617           149,719
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                                     80,915            71,924
                                                                                     77,702            77,795
Intangible assets--less accumulated amortization                                     56,062            58,687
Other assets                                                                         13,790            12,804
                                    Total assets                                   $329,851          $319,650

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
  Notes payable                                                                    $ 10,511          $  6,986
  Accounts payable                                                                   27,988            27,377
  Other current liabilities                                                          44,752            42,405
  Current portion of long-term debt                                                   7,758             7,758
                       Total current liabilities                                     91,009            84,526

Deferred income taxes                                                                 8,440             8,603
Long-term debt (less current portion)                                                54,874            62,632
Minimum pension liability                                                             2,154             2,154
Other long-term liabilities                                                           3,327             4,033
                               Total liabilities                                    159,804           161,948
Shareholders' equity
  Preferred Stock, $1 par value,
  3,000,000 shares authorized none issued
  Common Stock, $1 par value
  Shares authorized:  60,000,000
  Shares issued:  1997 17,375,136;
                  1996 17,324,910                                                    17,375            17,325     
  Capital surplus                                                                   109,679           109,431
  Retained earnings                                                                  64,710            50,420
  Minimum pension liability adjustment                                                 (780)             (780)
  Foreign currency translation                                                       (3,725)           (1,482)
  Less cost of treasury shares
    (1997 1,535,469; 1996 1,535,469)                                                (17,212)          (17,212)
                      Total shareholders' equity                                    170,047           157,702  
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                   $329,851          $319,650

                                                         
*Derived from the audited December 31, 1996, consolidated balance sheet.
 See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>

                      THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                     (UNAUDITED)
                               (Dollars in Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Nine Months Ended
                                                                                        September 30 

                                                                                      1997          1996
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities: 
  Net income                                                                         $17,457        $12,975
       Reconciliation of net income to net cash                                          
   provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                                                      12,517         12,515 
   Deferred income taxes                                                                 (64)           (65)
   Provision for losses on accounts receivable                                           300            455 
   Gain on asset disposal, net                                                          (830)          (143)
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable                                                              (15,706)       (10,415)
    Inventories                                                                       (5,189)           591      
    Other current assets                                                                  56          2,819      
     Accounts payable                                                                    817         (2,983)
     Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                            2,173         (1,812) 
     Other                                                                              (905)        (1,093)    
        Net cash provided by operating activities                                     10,626         12,844
     
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchases of property, plant, and equipment                                        (11,868)       (10,939) 
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment,
    and other assets                                                                     949            207     
     
    Net cash used in investing activities                                            (10,919)       (10,732) 
    
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from short-term debt, net                                                   4,267            283     
  Payments of long-term debt                                                          (7,758)       (11,721)
Dividends paid                                                                        (3,164)        (3,074)
      Other                                                                              285          1,080 
           Net cash used in financing activities                                      (6,370)       (13,432)

      Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                           (6,663)       (11,320) 

        Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                18,826         18,305

          Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                  $12,163       $ 6,985     


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


</TABLE>


                      THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note A   Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10-01 of
Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all the information and
footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete
financial statements.

The results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1997,
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year
ending December 31, 1997. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  For further
information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996.


Note B   Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are parties
to litigation; and when costs can be reasonably estimated, the Company records
appropriate liabilities for such matters.


Note C   Subsequent Events

On October 16, 1997, the Board of Directors authorized a three-for-two stock
split to be effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend on all shares of
Common Stock, payable December 1, 1997, for shareholders of record November 14,
1997.  Also on October 16, 1997, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend
of 7-1/2 cents per post-split share which, due to the effect of the stock split,
creates a 12-1/2 percent increase in the cash dividend.  All share data included
in these condensed consolidated financial statements have been restated to
reflect this stock split.


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis

Net sales during the third quarter ended September 30, 1997, increased 9% over
the third quarter 1996 to $141.2 million.  For the nine months ended September
30, 1997, net sales were 7% higher than the first nine months of 1996.  Net
sales for the third quarter and nine-month periods in 1997 are the highest for
any comparable periods in the Company's history.  Lighting Segment sales in the
third quarter 1997 increased 13% compared to the third quarter 1996, primarily
due to strength in the Commercial & Industrial Indoor and Outdoor Divisions. 
Compressor and Vacuum Pump Segment sales decreased slightly in the third quarter
compared to 1996, due primarily to weakness in the medical and refrigerant
recovery markets.  

Net income for the 1997 third quarter and first nine months, of $7.0 million and
$17.5 million, respectively, is 19% and 35% higher than the comparable 1996
periods.  Net income for the third quarter and nine-month periods in 1997 are
the highest for any comparable periods in the Company's history. The Lighting
Segment and the Compressor and Vacuum Pump Segment achieved higher operating
profit levels in the third quarter of 1997 compared to 1996.  

Cost of products sold as a percent of sales was 68.7% and 69.1% for the 1997
third quarter and nine months, respectively, versus 69.8% and 70.7% for the
comparable 1996 periods.  Operating income in the Lighting Segment for the third
quarter and first nine months in 1997 improved 31% and 46%, respectively, due to
the higher sales volume and improved efficiencies and the effect of cost
reduction programs in the manufacturing operations.  Compressor and Vacuum Pump
Segment operating income for the third quarter and first nine months in 1997
improved 7% and 11%, respectively, primarily due to improved margins in European
operations.  

Selling, general, and administrative expense as a percent of sales of 22.7% and
23.1% in the third quarter and nine months of 1997, respectively, were higher
than the 21.9% and 22.6% figures for the comparable 1996 periods.  Additional
expenditures for information systems technology, including costs associated with
Year 2000 software conversion requirements, are the primary components of the
increase.

Interest expense for the 1997 third quarter and first nine months was less than
comparable 1996 amounts by 17% and 13%, respectively.  The reductions are
attributed to lower short-term interest rates in Europe and a decrease in long-
term debt.  

Working capital of $91.3 million at September 30, 1997, is 6.4% higher than the
$85.8 million at December 31, 1996.  Accounts receivable at September 30, 1997,
have increased by 21.6% since December 31, 1996, due to seasonal factors in the
Lighting Group.  The number of days sales in receivables at September 30, 1997,
was 52.2 days compared to 51.2 days at December 31, 1996.  Inventory turnover at
September 30, 1997, of 4.49 times per year has improved over the December 31,
1996, level of 4.34 times per year.  The current ratio at September 30, 1997, is
virtually unchanged at 2.00 compared to 2.02 at December 31, 1996.  Certain loan
agreements of the Company include restrictions on working capital, operating
leases, tangible net worth, and the payment of cash dividends and stock
distributions.  Under the most restrictive of these arrangements, retained
earnings of  $38 million are not restricted at September 30, 1997.  

As of September 30, 1997, the Company had available credit of $42 million with
banks under short-term borrowing arrangements and a revolving line of credit,
$39 million of which was unused at September 30, 1997.  Anticipated funds from
operations, along with available short-term credit and other resources, are
expected to be sufficient to meet cash requirements in  the year ahead.   Cash
in excess of operating requirements will continue to be invested in high grade,
short-term securities. 

On October 16, 1997, the Board of Directors authorized a three-for-two stock
split on all shares of Common Stock, payable December 1, 1997, for shareholders
of record November 14, 1997.  For every two shares of the Company's Common Stock
held on the record date, the holder will receive one additional share.  This
action is intended to increase the liquidity of the stock of the Company and
create an expanded universe of potential stockholders.  Also on October 16,
1997, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of 7-1/2 cents per post-
split share which, due to the effect of the stock split creates a 12-1/2 percent
increase in the cash dividend.  



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

           (a) Exhibits

             (27)  Financial Data Schedule

            (b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed during this quarter.



                                 SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                         THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC. 
                                                                    
                                           Registrant     


                                            /s/ Phillip J. Stuecker
                                            ___________________________________
                                            Phillip J. Stuecker,
                                            Vice President and Chief Financial
                                            Officer


Date:      November 10, 1997