SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                ----------------
                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                                 (Rule 13d-101)

             INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
            TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
                                  RULE 13d-2(a)
                                (Amendment No. 1)

                                 Friedman's Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                              Class A Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    358438109
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                  Joel Piassick
                         555 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor
                            New York, New York 10022
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                 April 15, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of This Statement)

     If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the
following box [ ].

          Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original
     and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for
     other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

----------
(1)  The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
     person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
     securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
     would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).



CUSIP No. 358438109
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                                 (a) [_]
                                                                 (b) [x]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     WC

5.   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
     2(d) OR 2(e) [_]

6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     6,249,225

9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     6,249,225

11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     6,249,225

12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*


13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     25.0%

14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

     CO



CUSIP No. 358438109
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                                 (a) [_] 
                                                                 (b) [x]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     AF

5.   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
     2(d) OR 2(e) [_]


6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     6,249,225

9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     6,249,225

11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     6,249,225

12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*


13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     25.0%

14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

     CO



CUSIP No. 358438109
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     HMC Investors, L.L.C.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                                 (a) [_] 
                                                                 (b) [x]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     AF

5.   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
     2(d) OR 2(e) [_]


6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     6,409,100

9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     6,409,100

11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     6,409,100

12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*


13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     25.6%

14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

     CO




CUSIP No. 358438109
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Philip Falcone

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                                 (a) [_] 
                                                                 (b) [x]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     AF

5.   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
     2(d) OR 2(e) [_]

6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     6,409,100

9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     6,409,100

11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     6,409,100

12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*


13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     25.6%

14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

     IN



CUSIP No. 358438109
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Raymond J. Harbert

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                                 (a) [_]
                                                                 (b) [x]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     AF

5.   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
     2(d) OR 2(e) [_]

6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     6,409,100

9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     6,409,100

11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     6,409,100

12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*


13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     25.6%

14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

     IN



CUSIP No. 358438109
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Michael D. Luce

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                                 (a) [_]
                                                                 (b) [x]

3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   SOURCE OF FUNDS*

     AF

5.   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
     2(d) OR 2(e) [_]

6.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

7.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

8.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     6,409,100

9.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     6,409,100

11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     6,409,100

12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*


13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

     25.6%

14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

     IN



CUSIP No. 358438109
          ---------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 1.  Security and Issuer.

     Friedman's Inc. (the "Issuer"), Class A Common Stock (the "Shares")

     The address of the issuer is 171 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, Georgia
31422.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 2.  Identity and Background.

(a-c,f) This Schedule 13D is being filed by Harbert Distressed Investment Master
Fund, Ltd. (the "Master Fund"), HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager,
L.L.C., ("HMC Management"), the sole investment manager of the Master Fund, HMC
Investors, L.L.C., ("HMC Investors") the managing member of HMC Management,
Philip Falcone, a member of HMC Management who acts as the portfolio manager of
the Master Fund on behalf of HMC Management and is the portfolio manager of
Alpha US Sub Fund VI, LLC ("Alpha"), Raymond J. Harbert, a member of HMC
Investors, and Michael D. Luce, a member of HMC Investors (each of the Master
Fund, HMC Management, HMC Investors, Philip Falcone, Raymond J. Harbert and
Michael D. Luce may be referred to herein as a "Reporting Person" and
collectively may be referred to as "Reporting Persons").

The Master Fund is a Cayman Islands corporation with its principal business
address at c/o International Fund Services (Ireland) Limited, Third Floor,
Bishop's Square, Redmond's Hill, Dublin 2, Ireland. Each of HMC Management and
HMC Investors is a Delaware limited liability company. Each of Philip Falcone,
Raymond J. Harbert and Michael D. Luce is a United States citizen. The principal
business address for each of HMC Management, HMC Investors, Raymond J. Harbert
and Michael D. Luce is One Riverchase Parkway South, Birmingham, Alabama 35244.
The principal business address for Philip Falcone is 555 Madison Avenue, 16th
Floor, New York, New York 10022. Alpha is a Delaware limited liability company.
Alpha is a separately managed account.

     (d) None of Philip Falcone, Raymond J. Harbert or Michael D. Luce has,
during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding
traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

     (e) None of the Reporting Persons have, during the last five years, been a
party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding were or are subject to a
judgement, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting
or mandating activities subject to, Federal or state securities laws or finding
any violation with respect to such laws.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 3.  Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

As of the date hereof the Master Fund may be deemed to beneficially own
6,249,225 Shares.

As of the date hereof HMC Management may be deemed to beneficially own 6,249,225
Shares.

As of the date hereof HMC Investors may be deemed to beneficially own 6,409,100
Shares.

As of the date hereof Philip Falcone may be deemed to beneficially own 6,409,100
Shares.

As of the date hereof Raymond J. Harbert may be deemed to beneficially own
6,409,100 Shares.

As of the date hereof Michael D. Luce may be deemed to beneficially own
6,409,100 Shares.

No borrowed funds were used to purchase the Shares, other than any borrowed
funds used for working capital purposes in the ordinary course of business.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 4.  Purpose of Transaction.

The Shares held by the Reporting Persons were acquired for, and are being held
for, investment purposes only. The acquisitions of the Shares were made in the
ordinary course of the Reporting Persons' business or investment activities, as
the case may be.

The Reporting Persons have no plan or proposal which relates to, or would result
in, any of the actions enumerated in Item 4 of the instructions to Schedule 13D.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 5.  Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

(a, b) As of the date hereof, the Master Fund may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of 6,249,225 Shares, constituting 25.0% of the Shares of the Issuer, based
upon 24,960,547* Shares outstanding as of the date of this filing.

     The Master Fund has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares;
has the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 6,249,225 Shares; has sole
power to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to
dispose or direct the disposition of 6,249,225 Shares.

     (a, b) As of the date hereof, HMC Management may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of 6,249,225 Shares, constituting 25.0% of the Shares of the
Issuer, based upon 24,960,547* Shares outstanding as of the date of this filing.

     HMC Management has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares;
has the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 6,249,225 Shares; has sole
power to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to
dispose or direct the disposition of 6,249,225 Shares.

HMC Management specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares
reported herein except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein.

----------
* The number of outstanding shares is based on 22,035,547 shares outstanding,
adjusted for warrants held by the Reporting Persons.




(a, b) As of the date hereof, HMC Investors may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of 6,409,100 Shares, constituting 25.6% of the Shares of the Issuer, based
upon 25,035,547* Shares outstanding as of the date of this filing.

     HMC Investors has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares;
has the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 6,409,100 Shares; has sole
power to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to
dispose or direct the disposition of 6,409,100 Shares.

HMC Investors specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported
herein except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein.

(a, b) As of the date hereof, Philip Falcone may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of 6,409,100 Shares, constituting 25.6% of the Shares of the Issuer, based
upon 25,035,547* Shares outstanding as of the date of this filing.

     Mr. Falcone has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares; has
the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 6,409,100 Shares; has sole power
to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to
dispose or direct the disposition of 6,409,100 Shares.

Mr. Falcone specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported
herein except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(a, b) As of the date hereof, Raymond J. Harbert may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of 6,409,100 Shares, constituting 25.6% of the Shares of the
Issuer, based upon 25,035,547* Shares outstanding as of the date of this filing.

     Mr. Harbert has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares; has
the shared power to vote or direct the vote of 6,409,100 Shares; has sole power
to dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to
dispose or direct the disposition of 6,409,100 Shares.

Mr. Harbert specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported
herein except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(a, b) As of the date hereof, Michael D. Luce may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of 6,409,100 Shares, constituting 25.6% of the Shares of the Issuer, based
upon 25,035,547* Shares outstanding as of the date of this filing.

     Mr. Luce has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 Shares; has the
shared power to vote or direct the vote of 6,409,100 Shares; has sole power to
dispose or direct the disposition of 0 Shares; and has shared power to dispose
or direct the disposition of 6,409,100 Shares.

Mr. Luce specifically disclaims beneficial ownership in the Shares reported
herein except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(c) The trading dates, number of Shares purchased and sold and price per share
for all transactions in the Shares by the Reporting Persons are set forth in
Exhibit B.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 6.  Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect
         to Securities of the Issuer.

         N/A.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 7.  Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

Exhibit A: Agreement between the Reporting Persons to file jointly
Exhibit B: Schedule of Transactions in the Shares of the Issuer





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                    SIGNATURE


     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd.
By: HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

HMC Investors, L.L.C.

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------


/s/ Philip Falcone
---------------------
Philip Falcone

/s/ Raymond J. Harbert
---------------------
Raymond J. Harbert

/s/ Michael D. Luce
---------------------
Michael D. Luce

April 25, 2005



Attention. Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute federal
criminal violations (see 18 U.S.C. 1001).






                                                                       Exhibit A


                                    AGREEMENT

The undersigned agree that this Schedule 13D dated April 25, 2005 relating to
the Class A Common Stock of Friedman's Inc. shall be filed on behalf of the
undersigned.


Harbert Distressed Investment Master Fund, Ltd.
By: HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
-------------------------

HMC Distressed Investment Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
-------------------------

HMC Investors, L.L.C.

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
-------------------------


/s/ Philip Falcone
---------------------
Philip Falcone

/s/ Raymond J. Harbert
---------------------
Raymond J. Harbert

/s/ Michael D. Luce
---------------------
Michael D. Luce

April 25, 2005






                                                                       Exhibit B

                        Transactions in the Common Stock

            TRANSACTIONS BY HARBERT DISTRESSED INVESTMENT MASTER FUND

                          Transactions in Common Stock

  Date of               Number of Shares              
Transaction             Purchase/(Sold)                    Price of Shares
-----------             ---------------                    ---------------

     2/15/05                       24,435                      $1.38
     2/17/05                       53,760                      $1.44
     2/18/05                       50,730                      $1.64
     2/22/05                       21,505                      $1.57
     2/23/05                      132,450                      $1.61
     2/25/05                        5,865                      $1.64
     2/28/05                       33,725                      $1.65
      3/1/05                       95,110                      $1.66
      3/3/05                       74,000                      $1.67
      3/4/05                       11,440                      $1.67
      3/7/05                       29,200                      $1.66
      3/8/05                       97,500                      $1.70
      3/9/05                       13,940                      $1.66
     3/14/05                      142,050                      $1.66**
     3/14/05                       14,625                      $1.69
      4/8/05                      102,375                      $1.25
     4/12/05                       24,500                      $1.20
     4/14/05                      130,650                      $1.24
     4/15/05                       48,750                      $1.19
     4/20/05                      292,500                      $1.19
     4/20/05                       48,000                      $1.13
     4/20/05                      120,400                      $1.10
     4/21/05                      219,400                      $1.00


                            Transactions in Warrants

  Date of                  Number of Shares              
Transaction                 Purchase/(Sold)                 Price of Shares
-----------                 ---------------                 ---------------

     3/14/05                    2,925,000                       $0.70**






                    TRANSACTIONS BY ALPHA US SUB FUND VI, LLC

                          Transactions in Common Stock

  Date of                          Number of Shares                          
Transaction                        Purchase/(Sold)          Price of Shares
-----------                        ---------------          ---------------

     2/15/05                          565                       $1.38
     2/17/05                        1,240                       $1.44
     2/18/05                        1,170                       $1.64
     2/22/05                          495                       $1.57
     2/23/05                        3,050                       $1.61
     2/25/05                          135                       $1.64
     2/28/05                          775                       $1.65
      3/1/05                        2,190                       $1.66
      3/3/05                        6,000                       $1.67
      3/4/05                          260                       $1.67
      3/7/05                          800                       $1.66
      3/8/05                        2,500                       $1.70
      3/9/05                          360                       $1.66
     3/14/05                        3,650                       $1.66**
     3/14/05                          375                       $1.69
      4/8/05                        2,625                       $1.25
     4/12/05                          500                       $1.20
     4/14/05                        3,350                       $1.24
     4/15/05                        1,250                       $1.19
     4/20/05                        7,500                       $1.19
     4/20/05                        2,000                       $1.13
     4/20/05                        3,100                       $1.10
     4/21/05                        5,600                       $1.00



                            Transactions in Warrants

  Date of                    Number of Shares                           
Transaction                  Purchase/(Sold)                 Price of Shares
-----------                  ---------------                 ---------------

     3/14/05                       75,000                       $0.70**



** Purchased in private transaction.





03773.0003 #566124