-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LR2WZ8xjCDJ6qsadzN21VQyssGNfX4/SrSQGXTjvbSq7qYzeElxWGrrOx3mrP642
 o6ZoqUW0DsnzWR5GvBzd0w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000921895-04-001081.txt : 20040802
<SEC-HEADER>0000921895-04-001081.hdr.sgml : 20040802
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040802131627
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000921895-04-001081
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040729
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040802

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LAYNE CHRISTENSEN CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000888504
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CONSTRUCTION SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS [1700]
		IRS NUMBER:				480920712
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 SHAWNEE MISSION PKWY
		CITY:			MISSION WOODS
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66205-2001
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9133620510

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 SHAWNEE MISSION PKWY
		CITY:			MISSION WOODS
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66205-2001

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	LAYNE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930328

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STEEL PARTNERS II LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000915653

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20578
		FILM NUMBER:		04944455

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		590 MADISON AVENUE
		STREET 2:		32ND FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-758-3232

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		590 MADISON AVENUE, 32ND FLOOR
		CITY:			NY
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	STEEL PARTNERS II L P
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950627

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LICHTENSTEIN WARREN G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001005784
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20578
		FILM NUMBER:		04944456

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O STEEL PARTNERS L P
		STREET 2:		32ND FLOOR 590 MADISON AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127583232

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O STEEL PARTNERS L P
		STREET 2:		750 LEXINGTON AVENUE 27TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STEEL PARTNERS LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001262861

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20578
		FILM NUMBER:		04944454

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 MADISON AVE
		STREET 2:		32ND FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127583232

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 MADISON AVE
		STREET 2:		32ND FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>ste52.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000888504</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LAYNE CHRISTENSEN CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LAYN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000915653</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STEEL PARTNERS II LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>590 MADISON AVENUE, 32ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001262861</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STEEL PARTNERS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>590 MADISON AVENUE, 32ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001005784</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LICHTENSTEIN WARREN G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>590 MADISON AVENUE, 32ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15100</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.9900</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1433818</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.9985</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1435818</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This Form 4 is filed jointly by Warren G. Lichtenstein, Steel Partners, L.L.C. (&quot;Steel LLC&quot;) and Steel Partners II, L.P. (&quot;Steel LP&quot;). Mr. Lichtenstein is a director of the Issuer. Mr. Lichtenstein and Steel LLC are deemed to be 10% owners of the Issuer and Steel LP is a 10% owner of the Issuer. The securities reported in this Form 4 are owned directly by Steel LP, and owned indirectly by Steel LLC by virtue of it being the general partner of Steel LP and by Mr. Lichtenstein by virtue of his position as the sole executive officer and managing member of Steel LLC. Steel LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares owned by Steel LP except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Steel Partners II, L.P., By: Steel Partners, L.L.C., general partner, By: /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein, Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Steel Partners, L.L.C., By: /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein, Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lichtenstein, Warren G.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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