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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 COdMI4zQsWQFqVa8wJypMea0Vl/vI2YK2V4jAIUFoKfgVIUIw/Gfv5yXTn8cgUOt
 BM1nPS06LyzgDo7edqGEUw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-04-003545.txt : 20041001
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-04-003545.hdr.sgml : 20041001
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041001145813
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-04-003545
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041001
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041001

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ASTA FUNDING INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001001258
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6153]
		IRS NUMBER:				223388607
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		210 SYLVAN AVE
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07632
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2015675648

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		210 SYLVAN AVE
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07632

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COHEN MITCHELL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001271000

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26906
		FILM NUMBER:		041058195

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		49 ANDOVER RD
		CITY:			ROSLYN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11577
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5164840823

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		49 ANDOVER RD
		CITY:			ROSLYN
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11577
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001001258</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ASTA FUNDING INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ASFI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001271000</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COHEN MITCHELL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ASTA FUNDING, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>210 SYLVAN AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07632</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Financial Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Mitchell Cohen</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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