-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PsIHdFRP0phah9uKkG316BSCb22NoKoxJDUsAxteSXQYLz8fhI71QZAnZe+DyCg3
 uPAFyI83+97JUirW8gPpmQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-050511.txt : 20041101
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-050511.hdr.sgml : 20041101
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041101210350
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-050511
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040802
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041101
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041101

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MELLON FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000064782
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10165
		FILM NUMBER:		041111499

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MELLON BANK CTR
		STREET 2:		500 GRANT ST
		CITY:			PITTSBURGH
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15258-0001
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4122345000

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MELLON BANK CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MELLON NATIONAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19841014

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SEITEL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000750813
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OIL AND GAS FIELD EXPLORATION SERVICES [1382]
		IRS NUMBER:				760025431
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10811 S. WESTVIEW CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		BUILDING C, SUITE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77043
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7138818900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10811 S. WESTVIEW CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		BUILDING C, SUITE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77043

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SEISMIC ENTERPRISES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870814

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MELLON HBV ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001218315
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10165
		FILM NUMBER:		041111500

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 PARK AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166-3399
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2128083941

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 PARK AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166-3399

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Mellon HBV Alternative Strategies Holdings LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001297477
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10165
		FILM NUMBER:		041111498

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166-3399
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(212) 808-3950

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166-3399

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Mellon HBV CO Ltd.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001297476
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10165
		FILM NUMBER:		041111497

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166-3399
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(212) 808-3950

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166-3399
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bny68243mellon.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000750813</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SEITEL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SELA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000064782</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MELLON FINANCIAL CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE MELLON CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PITTSBURGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15258</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Adviser can designate 2 Dirs</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001297477</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Mellon HBV Alternative Strategies Holdings LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE MELLON CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PITTSBURGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15258</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001297476</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Mellon HBV CO Ltd.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE MELLON CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PITTSBURGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15258</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001218315</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MELLON HBV ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE MELLON CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PITTSBURGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15258</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>X</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1138000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>.85</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15100438</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes (1),(2)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As indicated in its amended Schedule 13D filing, each of the joint filers, Mellon Financial Corporation (&quot;MFC&quot;), Mellon HBV Alternative Strategies Holdings LLC (&quot;Holdings&quot;), Mellon HBV Alternative Strategies LLC (the &quot;Adviser&quot;), Mellon HBV Company, Ltd. (the &quot;GP&quot;) and Mellon HBV Master Multi-Strategy Fund L.P. (the &quot;Fund&quot;), beneficially owns, as defined in Rules 16a-1(a)(1) and 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, more than 10% of the outstanding Common Stock of Seitel, Inc.  The Fund has direct ownership interests, and the other joint filers have indirect ownership interests.  The &quot;Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned&quot; in Table I is applicable for each of MFC, Holdings and the Adviser.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Beneficial ownership as defined in Rule 16a-1(a)(2) for each of the filers is limited to their respective pecuniary interests, if any, in the funds which hold the Common Stock of Seitel, Inc.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Carl Krasik, Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Carl Krasik, Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Carl Krasik, Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Carl Krasik, Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----