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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

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

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 30, 2004

                         FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC.
                         ------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

      Delaware                       0-30753                37-1397683
      --------                      ------------            ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of     (Commission             (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)     File Number)            Identification No.)

                109 East Depot Street, Colchester, Illinois 62326
                -------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                                 (309) 776-3225
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not Applicable
                                 --------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


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ITEM 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
          ---------------------------------

      Exhibit 99.1      Press Release Dated July 30, 2004.

ITEM 12.  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
          ---------------------------------------------

      On July 30, 2004, First Federal Bancshares, Inc. announced its financial
results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. The press release announcing
financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 is filed as Exhibit 99.1
and incorporated herein by reference.


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                                    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.

                                       FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC.




Date: July 30, 2004                    By: /s/ James J. Stebor
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           James J. Stebor
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

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EXHIBIT 99.1      PRESS RELEASE