UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

   Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) if the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 21, 2003

                        L. B. FOSTER COMPANY (Exact name
                     of registrant as specified in charter)

  Pennsylvania                      000-10436                    25-1324733
(State of Incorporation)       (Commission File Number)      (I. R. S. Employer
                                                             Identification No.)

      415 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania                  15220
       (Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

        Registrants telephone number, including area code: (412) 928-3417



Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition On October 21, 2003, L. B. Foster Company (the "Company") issued a press release announcing the Company's results of operations for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003. A copy of that press release is furnished with this report as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The information furnished in this item 12 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. INDEX TO EXHIBITS 99.1 Press release dated October 21, 2003. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. L. B. Foster Company (Registrant) Date: October 21, 2003 By: /s/ David J. Russo --------------------------- David J. Russo Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

          L. B. Foster Company Reports Improved Third Quarter Results



    PITTSBURGH, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- L.B. Foster Company
(Nasdaq: FSTR), a manufacturer, fabricator, and distributor of rail,
construction, and tubular products, today reported net income from continuing
operations of $1.4 million ($0.14 per share) in 2003 versus a net loss from
continuing operations of $2.4 million ($0.26 per share) in the third quarter
of 2002.

    Net income for the third quarter of 2003 was $2.9 million ($0.30 per
share) versus a net loss of $2.7 million ($0.29 per share) for the third
quarter of 2002. Net income for the third quarter of 2003 includes $1.5
million in net income from discontinued operations (related to the Company's
Foster Technologies subsidiary), versus a net loss from discontinued
operations of $0.3 million in 2002. The income from discontinued operations
for the current quarter of 2003 comes primarily from the release of a $1.6
million valuation allowance against foreign net operating losses that are
expected to be utilized as a result of the imminent dissolution of this
subsidiary.

    Net sales for the third quarter of 2003 were $75.8 million compared to
$67.0 million in 2002, an increase of 13%. Gross margins improved slightly by
0.1 percentage point to 12.6%. Selling and administrative expenses increased
$0.4 million or 5% over the same prior year period, primarily due to personnel
related costs accrued in the current quarter. Other (income) expense improved
by $4.2 million compared to the prior year third quarter due primarily to last
year's adjustments which included a $2.3 million charge related to mark-to-
market accounting for derivative instruments and a $1.8 million charge related
to the impairment of the Company's equity investment in a specialty trackwork
supplier. Third quarter interest expense declined 14% from the prior year due
to a $5.5 million reduction in debt.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company reported net
income from continuing operations of $2.6 million ($0.27 per share) versus a
net loss from continuing operations of $1.4 million ($0.14 per share) for the
same period a year ago.

    Including net income from discontinued operations of $1.3 million ($0.13
per share), the Company reported net income of $3.8 million ($0.40 per share)
for the first nine months of 2003. This compares to the first nine months of
2002 net loss of $6.7 million ($0.71 per share) which included a loss from
discontinued operations of $1.0 million ($0.10 per share) and a non-cash
charge of $4.4 million ($0.46 per share) from the cumulative effect of a
change in accounting principle as a result of the adoption of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 142 "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets".

    Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $211.1 million
compared to $200.9 million in 2002, an increase of 5% resulting from increases
in the Rail and Pipe Products segments. Gross margins improved by 0.3
percentage points to 12.2%, while selling and administrative expenses
increased $0.9 million or 4% over the same prior year period. The gross profit
margin improvement was due to improved margins in both the Rail and Pipe
Products segments. The increase in selling and administrative costs was due to
additions to the sales force and personnel related costs, as well as increased
risk management costs. Other (income) expense improved by $4.1 million over
the same prior year period primarily as a result of the previously mentioned
prior year $2.3 million charge related to mark-to-market accounting for
derivative instruments and a $1.8 million charge related to the impairment of
the Company's equity investment in a specialty trackwork supplier. Interest
expense declined 12% as a result of the previously mentioned reduction in
corporate borrowings.

    Cash flow from operations was slightly negative for the nine months ended
September 30, 2003 primarily due to increased accounts receivable balances
from the higher sales activity and increased inventory over prior year end
levels. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were
$2.0 million as compared to $3.9 million for capital improvements and $2.2
million for the Greulich acquisition in the same period of 2002. Additionally,
the Company reduced its corporate borrowings by approximately $1.3 million
during the first nine months of 2003.

    "We are extremely pleased with our operating performance in the third
quarter despite the continued weak industrial and uncertain public works
markets," stated Stan Hasselbusch, President and Chief Executive Officer.

    "Consistent with the first two quarters, rail distribution and tubular
products led the way in the third quarter.  Rail distribution revenue
increased 20% and tubular sales were up 48% over the same period in 2002.  The
profitability from increased sales in these two areas, combined with improved
plant contributions, fueled our operating profit improvement.

    On a concerning note, we are disappointed in the federal government's
delay in reauthorizing a meaningful highway and transit bill.  The current
bill, TEA-21, which expired September 30th, has been extended five months.
Since public funding under this legislation impacts over 40% of our business,
passage of a new, improved bill is vital for growth and improved profitability
in the future, and we expect Washington to press diligently for successor
legislation."

    The Company wishes to caution readers that various factors could cause the
actual results of the Company to differ materially from those indicated by
forward-looking statements in news releases, and other communications,
including oral statements, such as references to future profitability, made
from time to time by representatives of the Company. Specific risks and
uncertainties that could affect the Company's profitability include, but are
not limited to, general economic conditions, adequate funding for
infrastructure projects, the Company's ability to obtain special trackwork
products and continued availability of existing and new piling products.
Matters discussed in such communications are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties.  Sentences containing words such as
"anticipates," "expects," or "will," generally should be considered forward-
looking statements.



               CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
                    L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

                                        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                            September 30,      September 30,
                                            2003     2002     2003      2002
                                            (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)

          NET SALES                      $75,802  $66,965  $211,117  $200,944

          COSTS AND EXPENSES:
           Cost of goods sold             66,261   58,621   185,447   177,104
           Selling and administrative
             expenses                      7,096    6,732    20,493    19,624
           Interest expense                  576      669     1,733     1,976
           Other (income) expense           (381)   3,834      (755)    3,324
                                          73,552   69,856   206,918   202,028

          INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING
           OPERATIONS
          BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
           CUMULATIVE EFFECT
           OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING
           PRINCIPLE                       2,250   (2,891)    4,199    (1,084)

          INCOME TAXES                       871     (446)    1,633       270

          INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING
           OPERATIONS BEFORE CUMULATIVE
           EFFECT OF CHANGE IN
           ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE            1,379   (2,445)    2,566    (1,354)

          DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
          LOSS FROM OPERATIONS OF FOSTER
           TECHNOLOGIES                      (70)    (302)     (510)     (951)
          INCOME TAX BENEFIT              (1,616)       0    (1,789)        0
          INCOME (LOSS) ON DISCONTINUED
           OPERATIONS                      1,546     (302)    1,279      (951)
          CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN
           ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE, NET OF
           TAX                                 0        0         0    (4,390)

          NET INCOME (LOSS)               $2,925  ($2,747)   $3,845   ($6,695)

          BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS
           (LOSS) PER SHARE:
             FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
              BEFORE CUMULATIVE
              EFFECT OF CHANGE IN
              ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE         $0.14   ($0.26)    $0.27    ($0.14)
             FROM DISCONTINUED
              OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX        0.16    (0.03)    $0.13    ($0.10)
             CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE
              IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE,
              NET OF TAX                    0.00     0.00      0.00    ($0.46)
          BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS
           (LOSS) PER SHARE                $0.30   ($0.29)    $0.40    ($0.71)

          AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
           SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC      9,593    9,519     9,562     9,485

          AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
           SHARES OUTSTANDING - DILUTED    9,774    9,526     9,682     9,500


          *  Since the Company incurred losses applicable to common
             stockholders in all 2002 periods presented, the inclusion of
             dilutive securities in the calculation of weighted average common
             shares is anti-dilutive and therefore, there is no difference
             between basic and diluted earnings per share.

                      L. B. Foster Company and Subsidiaries
                            Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                     ($ 000's)


                                              September 30,      December 31,
                                                   2003              2002
      ASSETS                                   (Unaudited)

      CURRENT ASSETS:
         Cash and cash items                           $17            $3,653
         Accounts and notes receivable:
            Trade                                   49,741            39,294
            Other                                      144                69
         Inventories                                36,910            32,925
         Current deferred tax assets                 1,494             1,494
         Other current assets                        1,044               696
         Property held for resale                      446                 -
         Current assets of discontinued
          operations                                     -               138
             Total Current Assets                   89,796            78,269

      OTHER ASSETS:
         Property, plant & equipment-net            33,924            36,083
         Goodwill                                      350               350
         Other intangibles - net                       625               739
         Investments                                13,460            12,718
         Deferred tax assets                         6,021             4,454
         Other non-current assets                      979             1,175
         Assets of discontinued
          operations                                     1               196
              Total Other Assets                    55,360            55,715

                                                  $145,156          $133,984

      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
       EQUITY

      CURRENT LIABILITIES:
         Current maturities of long-term
          debt                                        $724              $825
         Short-term borrowings                       1,172                 -
         Accounts payable-trade and other           30,490            24,094
         Accrued payroll and employee
          benefits                                   3,172             2,413
         Current deferred tax liabilities            1,474             1,474
         Other accrued liabilities                   4,146             2,695
         Liabilities of discontinued
          operations                                   148                74
             Total Current Liabilities              41,326            31,575

      LONG-TERM BORROWINGS                          21,000            23,000
      OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT                           3,615             3,991
      DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES                       4,195             4,195
      OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES                    4,762             5,210

      STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
         Class A Common stock                          102               102
         Paid-in Capital                            34,972            35,143
         Retained Earnings                          39,053            35,208
         Treasury Stock                             (3,155)           (3,629)
         Accumulated Other Comprehensive
          Loss                                        (714)             (811)
             Total Stockholders' Equity             70,258            66,013

                                                  $145,156          $133,984



SOURCE  L. B. Foster Company
    -0-                             10/21/2003
    /CONTACT: / Stan L. Hasselbusch of LB Foster Company, +1-412-928-3417, or
fax, +1-412-928-7891, or email, investors@LBFosterCo.com /
    (FSTR)

CO:  L. B. Foster Company
ST:  Pennsylvania
IN:  CST TRN
SU:  ERN SLS