SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


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

For the quarterly period ended                 March 31, 1999                
                               ----------------------------------------------


                         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
May 1, 1999, was 15,774,272 shares.









                                  Page 1 of 11


<PAGE>


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)


                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                             March 31     
                                                           1999       1998

Net sales                                                $46,301    $48,209
Cost of products sold                                     29,493     30,581
                                                          ------     ------
Gross profit                                              16,808     17,628
Selling, general, and
  administrative expenses                                 11,252     11,108
Equity income from Lighting                                4,985      3,111
                                                          ------     ------
Operating income                                          10,541      9,631
Interest expense                                           1,185      1,476
Interest income and other                                    501        179 
                                                          ------     -------
Income before income taxes                                 9,857      8,334
Income taxes                                               3,983      3,084  
                                                          ------     ------
Net income                                               $ 5,874    $ 5,250
                                                          ======     ======
Net income per share
    Basic                                                   $.37       $.33
    Diluted                                                 $.36       $.32

Dividends declared per share                              $0.075     $0.075

Weighted average number of shares outstanding
  Basic                                                   15,758     15,864
  Diluted                                                 16,141     16,405

Effective  August 30, 1998,  Thomas  Industries Inc.  ("Thomas") and The Genlyte
Group  ("Genlyte")  formed Genlyte Thomas Group LLC ("GTG"),  combining  Thomas'
lighting business with Genlyte (the "Joint Venture"). Genlyte has a 68% interest
in GTG, and Thomas holds a 32% interest, which is accounted for using the equity
method of  accounting.  Thomas changed its method of accounting for the Lighting
business  contributed to GTG to the equity method effective January 1, 1998, the
beginning of Thomas' prior fiscal year, restating results for the quarters ended
March 31 and June 30, 1998.  The  restatement of results using the equity method
for the 1998 quarterly periods prior to consummation of the Joint Venture had no
effect on net income or common shareholders' equity but did reduce its revenues,
costs, assets, and liabilities, and changed certain components of cash flow.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       2

<PAGE>


                     THOMAS INDUSTRIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

                                                       (Unaudited)
                                                         March 31    December 31
ASSETS                                                     1999         1998
                                                           ----         ----
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                              $  10,658    $  18,205
  Accounts receivable, less allowance
    (1999--$709; 1998--$656)                                22,920       19,205
  Inventories:
    Finished products                                        4,956        5,352
     Raw materials                                           8,957        9,196
    Work in process                                          5,560        5,638
                                                         ---------    ---------
                                                            19,473       20,186
  Deferred income taxes                                      3,027        2,997
  Other current assets                                       3,828        3,650
                                                         ---------    ---------
                            Total current assets            59,906       64,243
Investment in GTG                                          151,660      147,386
Property, plant and equipment                               73,503       73,115
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization            39,930       39,114
                                                         ---------    ---------
                                                            33,573       34,001
Note receivable from GTG                                    22,287       22,287
Intangible assets--less accumulated amortization             8,180        8,248
Other assets                                                 6,311        6,194
                                                         ---------    ---------
                                    Total assets         $ 281,917    $ 282,359
                                                         =========    =========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
  Notes payable                                          $     486    $     235
  Accounts payable                                           7,111        5,794
  Other current liabilities                                 21,981       20,592
  Current portion of long-term debt                          7,782        7,782
                                                         ---------    ---------
                       Total current liabilities            37,360       34,403
Deferred income taxes                                        5,810        5,863
Long-term debt (less current portion)                       40,555       48,298
Other long-term liabilities                                  4,308        3,108
                                                         ---------    ---------
                             Total liabilities              88,033       91,672
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: 1999 -- 17,514,424
                               1998 -- 17,485,909           17,514       17,486
  Capital surplus                                          110,595      110,412
  Retained earnings                                         92,970       88,277
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                    (6,073)      (4,351)
  Less cost of treasury shares:
    (1999--1,743,150; 1998--1,744,400)                     (21,122)     (21,137)
                                                         ---------    ---------
                      Total shareholders' equity           193,884      190,687
                                                         ---------    ---------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity         $ 281,917    $ 282,359
                                                         =========    =========

*Derived from the audited  December 31, 1998,  consolidated  balance sheet.  See
 notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                                       3

<PAGE>


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

                                                            Three Months Ended
                                                                March 31
                                                                --------
                                                              1999        1998
                                                              ----        ----

Operating activities:
Net income                                                 $  5,874    $  5,250
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                         1,976       1,889
        Deferred income taxes                                    53         110
        Equity income from Lighting                          (4,985)     (3,111)
        Distributions from/cash used by Lighting                711     (10,945)
        Other items                                              28          24
        Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               Accounts receivable                           (4,228)     (4,508)
               Inventories                                     (120)          4
               Accounts payable                               1,444      (1,454)
               Accrued expenses and other liabilities         3,082         293
               Other                                           (709)       (296)
                                                           --------    --------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities           3,126     (12,744)
                                                           --------    --------

Investing activities:
   Purchases of property, plant, and equipment               (1,986)     (1,347)
   Sale of property, plant, and equipment                      --             2
                                                           --------    --------
Net cash used in investing activities                        (1,986)     (1,345)
                                                           --------    --------

Financing activities:
   Proceeds from notes payable to banks, net                    281      18,708
   Payments on long-term debt, net                           (7,743)     (7,742)
   Dividends paid                                            (1,195)     (1,189)
   Other                                                        226          82
                                                           --------    --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities          (8,431)      9,859
Effect of exchange rate change                                 (256)        (18)
                                                           --------    --------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                    (7,547)     (4,248)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period             18,205      17,352
                                                           --------    --------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                 $ 10,658    $ 13,104
                                                           ========    ========



See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.










                                        4



<PAGE>



                     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  three-month  period ended March 31, 1999, are
not  necessarily  indicative  of the results  that may be expected  for the year
ending  December  31,  1999.  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, 1998.

Effective  August 30, 1998,  Thomas and Genlyte  formed GTG,  combining  Thomas'
lighting  business with  Genlyte.  Genlyte has a 68% interest in GTG, and Thomas
holds a 32%  interest,  which is  accounted  for  using  the  equity  method  of
accounting.  Thomas changed its method of accounting  for the Lighting  business
contributed to GTG to the equity method effective January 1, 1998, the beginning
of Thomas' prior fiscal year,  restating results for the quarters ended March 31
and June 30, 1998.  The  restatement  of results using the equity method for the
1998 quarterly  periods prior to consummation of the Joint Venture had no effect
on net income or common shareholders' equity but did reduce its revenues, costs,
assets, and liabilities,  and changed certain components of cash flow. (See Note
D.)

Note B - Contingencies
----------------------

In the normal  course of business,  the Company is a party to legal  proceedings
and claims. When costs can be reasonably estimated,  appropriate liabilities for
such matters are recorded.  While  management  currently  believes the amount of
ultimate  liability,  if any, with respect to these actions will not  materially
affect the  financial  position,  results of  operations,  or  liquidity  of the
Company,  the  ultimate  outcome  of  any  litigation  is  uncertain.   Were  an
unfavorable outcome to occur, the impact could be material to the Company.

Note C - Comprehensive Income
-----------------------------

For the three months ended March 31, comprehensive income was:

                                                   1999          1998
                                                   ----          ----

        Net income                               $5,874         $5,250
        Minimum pension liability                    --             --
        Foreign currency translation             (1,722)          (201)
                                                  -----          -----
        Comprehensive income                     $4,152         $5,049
                                                  =====          =====


                                       5


<PAGE>


Note D - Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
---------------------------------

The following table contains  certain  unaudited  financial  information for the
Joint Venture. The Joint Venture was formed on August 30, 1998; therefore,  only
1999 first quarter activity is reflected below.

                            Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
                         Condensed Financial Information
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

         Income statement for the three months ended March 31, 1999:

              Net sales                                 $237,476
              Gross profit                                79,953
              Earnings before interest and taxes          19,154
              Net income                                  17,232

         Balance sheet as of March 31, 1999:

              Current assets                             321,891
              Long-term assets                           179,327
              Current liabilities                        142,614
              Long-term liabilities                       76,909


Note E - Receivables from Affiliate
-----------------------------------

Included in Other  Long-Term  Assets at March 31,  1999,  is  $22,287,000  which
represents  a debt  equalization  note  payable to Thomas by GTG  related to the
formation of the Joint  Venture.  Interest on the principal  amount  outstanding
under the note accrues at a variable  rate based on LIBOR plus the Offshore Rate
Margin and is payable on a quarterly  basis. The principal amount of the note is
due on  August  29,  2003,  and may be  prepaid  in whole or in part at any time
without premium or penalty.

















                                       6


<PAGE>


Note F - Segment Disclosures
----------------------------

                                                       3/31/99          3/31/98
                                                       -------          -------
Revenues

Total net sales including intercompany sales
  Compressors & Vacuum Pumps                           $50,294          $53,138
  Lighting                                                 --               --
                                                        ------            -----
                                                       $50,294          $53,138
                                                        ======           ======

Intercompany sales
  Compressors & Vacuum Pumps                           $(3,993)         $(4,929)
  Lighting                                                  --               --
                                                         -----            -----
                                                       $(3,993)         $(4,929)

Net sales to unaffiliated customers
  Compressors & Vacuum Pumps                           $46,301          $48,209
  Lighting                                                  --               --
                                                         -----           ------
                                                       $46,301          $48,209
                                                        ======           ======

Operating Income
  Compressors & Vacuum Pumps                           $ 7,765           $8,654
  Lighting*                                              4,985            3,111
  Corporate                                             (2,209)          (2,134)
                                                        -------           ------
                                                       $10,541           $9,631
                                                        ======            =====

*Represents 32% of GTG net income less amortization of excess investment.



Item 2.  Management's   Discussion  and  Analysis   of  Financial  Position  and
         Results of Operations.

Results of Operations
---------------------

Net sales  during the first  quarter  ended March 31, 1999,  were $46.3  million
compared  to $48.2  million  for the first  quarter of 1998.  The 1998 net sales
reflect  the  application  of the equity  method with  respect to the  Company's
lighting  business,  which was  contributed  to GTG  effective  August 30, 1998,
retroactive  to January 1, 1998,  and  therefore  include only net sales for the
Compressor  & Vacuum Pump  Segment.  The  majority of the  decrease  came in the
European  Compressor & Vacuum Pump Segment where sales dropped $1.5 million from
prior-year  levels.  The  decrease in net sales was caused by some of our larger
OEMs and distributors being overstocked in late 1998 and early 1999.

Operating  income for the first quarter ended March 31, 1999, was $10.5 million,
or 9.4% higher than the  prior-year  amount of $9.6  million,  primarily  due to
increased  profitability from GTG. Net equity earnings increased to $5.0 million
in the first  quarter of 1999,  compared to $3.1 million in the same period last
year. The 1998 operating  income  reflects the  application of the equity method
for the  Lighting  Segment  retroactive  to January 1,  1998.  The GTG  earnings
increase  more than  offset the lower  first  quarter  operating  income for the
Compressor & Vacuum Pump Segment, which was attributable to lower sales.


                                       7


<PAGE>


Item 2.  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis - Continued

Net income for the 1999 first  quarter of $5.9 million was 11.3% higher than the
$5.3 million for the comparable 1998 period.  It was also a record for any first
quarter in the  Company's  history.  The increase over 1998 was due primarily to
the increase in GTG's earnings and to lower interest expense as noted below.

Interest  expense for the 1999 first  quarter was $1.2  million,  or 20.0% lower
than  the  prior-year  amount  of $1.5  million.  The  decrease  was  attributed
primarily to a significant reduction in short-term debt, which was higher in the
first  quarter  of 1998  due to the  funding  of  working  capital  needs of the
Lighting  business.  Also,  long-term  debt of $7.7 was paid down on January 31,
1999, which reduced interest expense over the prior-year amount.

Included  in Other  Long-Term  Assets at March  31,  1999,is  $22,287,000  which
represents  the debt  equalization  note payable to Thomas by GTG related to the
formation of the Joint  Venture.  Interest on the principal  amount  outstanding
under the note accrues at a variable  rate based on LIBOR plus the Offshore Rate
Margin and is payable on a quarterly  basis. The principal amount of the note is
due on  August  29,  2003,  and may be  prepaid  in whole or in part at any time
without premium or penalty.

Working  capital of $22.5  million at March 31, 1999, is $7.3 million lower than
the amount at December 31, 1998,  primarily  resulting  from the long-term  debt
payment on  January  31,  1999.  Accounts  receivable  at March 31,  1999,  have
increased  by 19.3% since  December 31, 1998,  due to higher sales  volume.  The
number of days sales in receivables at March 31, 1999,  compared to December 31,
1998,  has  decreased  to 44.3 days from 49.1.  Inventory  turnover at March 31,
1999, of 5.1 times per year improved  significantly  from the December 31, 1998,
level of 4.5.

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 $56.0 million are not restricted at March 31, 1999.

As of March 31, 1999,  the Company had  available  credit of $12.5  million with
banks  under  short-term  borrowing  arrangements  which was  unused,  and a $30
million  revolving  line of credit  that  expires  in 2002,  which  was  unused.
Anticipated funds from operations,  along with available  short-term credit, 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  investment
grade, short-term securities.

Year 2000 Issue
---------------

In the third quarter of 1996, the Company recognized the need to ensure that its
operations  would not be adversely  affected by Year 2000 computer  hardware and
software  failures.  Certain systems would fail,  unless  modified,  to properly
handle date-sensitive calculations for dates that


                                       8


<PAGE>


Item 2.  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis - Continued

crossed the century.  Such  systems  could fail because the systems use only two
digits rather than four to define a specific  year.  These  failures  would pose
known risks to the future  integrity of the Company's  financial  reports and to
virtually  all aspects of the  Company's  operations,  including  the  Company's
ability to process sales transactions,  fulfill customer orders, and receive and
manage inventories and other assets.

Plans for achieving internal Year 2000 compliance were finalized during 1996 and
included  a  goal  to be  complete  by  the  end  of  the  third  quarter  1998.
Accordingly,  the Company  completed  a high level  analysis of the scope of the
issues to be addressed,  created a team of IT resources,  and contracted  with a
major software  consulting firm to assist in the Year 2000 remediation  efforts.
The discovery phase of the problems and the plan for remediation  were completed
in 1997.  Remediation  and testing have been  completed  on most systems  during
1998. The objective of these efforts is to achieve Year 2000  compliance  with a
minimal effect on customer  service or other disruption to, or loss of integrity
in, business or financial operations. At this date, sources of potential failure
have been  identified,  and we believe  that they have all been  remediated.  We
believe that all critical software is now compliant.

The  Company  has  performed  a  preliminary  assessment  of its  material  non-
Information  Technology systems such as CAD systems, PBX systems,  Environmental
Control systems,  Elevator Control systems,  and NC devices and, based upon this
preliminary assessment, believes that these systems are Year 2000 compliant.

The Company has initiated  communications with its major suppliers and customers
to  determine  their Year 2000  compliant  status and to identify  any issues or
problems  with  respect to their  Year 2000  preparedness  that might  adversely
affect their  companies.  The Company is  continuing  its efforts to obtain such
assurances  from all critical  suppliers.  Failure of these third  parties could
have a material  impact on operations  and/or the  Company's  ability to deliver
products.  Contingency  planning is being established and will be implemented in
an effort to minimize any impact from Year 2000 related failures.

Through  March 31, 1999,  approximately  $2.4 million in costs,  which  includes
Compressors  &  Vacuum  Pumps  and  Lighting  costs,  has been  incurred  in the
Company's efforts to achieve Year 2000 compliant systems.  These costs have been
incurred  over the 1996-1999  time frame and have not been,  nor are expected to
be, a material  incremental  cost having an impact on the Company's  operations,
financial condition, or liquidity and include the costs for both its Vacuum Pump
& Compressor  business and the Company's former Lighting  business.  These costs
consist  primarily  of  outsourced   consulting  and  remediation  efforts.  Any
remaining costs for the Company are expected to be less than $25,000. There have
been no major system projects  cancelled or delayed as a result of the Company's
Year 2000 costs.

The above expectations are subject to uncertainties. For example, if the Company
is  unsuccessful in identifying or fixing all Year 2000 problems in our critical
operations,  or if we are affected by the  inability  of our  suppliers or major
customers to continue operations due to such problems,


                                       9


<PAGE>

Item 2.  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis - Continued

our results of operations or financial condition could be materially affected.

The Company has a minority  interest in GTG,  which has advised the Company that
it is  currently in the process of  identifying  and  remediating  its Year 2000
issues as well as  conducting a review to gain  reasonable  assurances  that its
business  partners are addressing  Year 2000 issues.  If GTG is  unsuccessful in
identifying or remediating all Year 2000 problems in its critical operations, or
if it is  affected by the  inability  of its  suppliers  or major  customers  to
continue  operations  due to such  problems,  this  could  have an impact on the
Company's financial results and condition.

New European Currency
---------------------

Eleven  European  countries  (The European  Monetary  Union) have  implemented a
single  currency  zone as of January  1,  1999.  The new  currency  (Euro)  will
eventually replace the existing currencies of the participating countries. It is
expected that this transition from the various currencies to the Euro will occur
over a three-year period.  Since the Company's  European  Operations may have to
accommodate dual currencies during this period, modifications to our third-party
software at our European  locations may be necessary.  A team has been formed to
monitor EMU developments,  evaluate the requirements, develop and execute action
plans and work with our third party software providers to address this issue.

While management  currently believes the Company will be able to accommodate any
required changes in its operations  without  significant  costs, there can be no
assurance that the Company,  its customers,  suppliers and service  providers or
government  agencies  will all meet the Euro currency  requirements  in a timely
manner.  Such  failure to complete  the  necessary  work on a timely basis could
result in material financial risk.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The  Company's  long-term  debt bears  interest at fixed rates;  therefore,  the
Company's  results of operations would only be affected by interest rate changes
to the extent that variable rate,  short-term notes payable are outstanding.  At
March 31, 1999, short-term notes payable are not significant.

The Company has  significant  operations  consisting of sales and  manufacturing
activities in foreign countries.  As a result,  the Company's  financial results
could be  significantly  affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency
exchange rates or weak economic  conditions in the foreign  markets in which the
Company  manufactures  or  distributes  its  products.  Currency  exposures  are
concentrated  in Germany but exist to a lesser  extent in other parts of Western
Europe and Asia.





                                       10


<PAGE>


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
-------- -----------------

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

            (a)  Exhibits

                          10(h)      1995  Incentive  Stock Plan as Amended  and
                                     Restated  as  of  April  15,   1999,  filed
                                     herewith.

                          27         Financial Data Schedule.

(b)      No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the 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      May 12, 1999      
     -----------------------















                                       11