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SEC 1344          PERSONS WHO ARE TO RESPOND TO THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
(07-03)           CONTAINED IN THIS FORM ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND UNLESS THE
                  FORM DISPLAYS A CURRENTLY VALID OMB CONTROL NUMBER.
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                    UNITED STATES                            OMB APPROVAL
          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION          --------------------------
                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549                OMB Number:      3235-0058
                                                      Expires:  March 31, 2006
                     FORM 12b-25                      Estimated average burden
                                                      hours per response....2.50
             NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING              --------------------------
                                                      SEC FILE NUMBER 1-5663
                                                      --------------------------
                                                      CUSIP NUMBER 029174-10-9
                                                      --------------------------

(Check One): /X/ Form 10-K  / / Form 20-F  / / Form 11-K  / / Form 10-Q
/ /  Form N-SAR  / /  Form N-CSR

For Period Ended:  December 31, 2003
                 ------------------------
/  /  Transition Report on Form 10-K
/  /  Transition Report on Form 20-F
/  /  Transition Report on Form 11-K
/  /  Transition Report on Form 10-Q
/  /  Transition Report on Form N-SAR
For the Transition Period Ended:
                                --------------------------------------

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  Read Instruction (on back page) Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.
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    NOTHING IN THIS FORM SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THE COMMISSION HAS
                   VERIFIED ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
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If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

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PART I -- REGISTRANT INFORMATION

American Realty Investors, Inc.
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Full Name of Registrant


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Former Name if Applicable

1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
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Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

Dallas, Texas 75234
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City, State and Zip Code

PART II -- RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

     (a)  The reason described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
          could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense
/X/  (b)  The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
          Form 10-K, Form 20-F, Form 11-K, Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR, or portion
          thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day
          following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or
          transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof, will be filed on
          or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date;
          and
     (c)  The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c)
          has been attached if applicable.

PART III -- NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q, N-SAR, N-CSR,
or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the
prescribed time period.

                        (Attach extra Sheets if Needed)


PART IV -- OTHER INFORMATION


(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification

Ronald E. Kimbrough                     469             522-4200
-----------------------------------  -----------  ------------------------------
               (Name)                (Area Code)       (Telephone Number)


(2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of
1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no,
identify report(s).                                         Yes /X/ No /  /

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(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?
                                                            Yes /X/ No /  /

If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and
quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate
of the results cannot be made.

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                        American Realty Investors, Inc.
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                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.


Date   March 30, 2004                      By  /s/ Ronald E. Kimbrough
    ------------------------------------     -----------------------------------



INSTRUCTION:  The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant
or by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the
statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative
(other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to
sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.

                                  ATTENTION

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INTENTIONAL MISSTATEMENTS OR OMISSIONS OF FACT CONSTITUTE FEDERAL CRIMINAL
VIOLATIONS (SEE 18 U.S.C. 1001).
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                            GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.    This form is required by Rule 12b-25 (17 CFR 240.12b-25) of the General
      Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

2.    One signed original and four conformed copies of this form and amendments
      thereto must be completed and filed with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, in accordance with Rule 0-3 of the
      General Rules and Regulations under the Act. The information contained in
      or filed with the form will be made a matter of public record in the
      Commission files.

3.    A manually signed copy of the form and amendments thereto shall be filed
      with each national securities exchange on which any class of securities of
      the registrant is registered.

4.    Amendments to the notifications must also be filed on Form 12b-25 but need
      not restate information that has been correctly furnished. The form shall
      be clearly identified as an amended notification.

5.    Electronic Filers: This form shall not be used by electronic filers
      unable to timely file a report solely due to electronic difficulties.
      Filers unable to submit reports within the time period prescribed due to
      difficulties in electronic filing should comply with either Rule 201 or
      Rule 202 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.201 or Section 232.202 of this
      chapter) or apply for an adjustment in filing date pursuant to Rule 13(b)
      of Regulation S-T (Section 232.13(b) of this chapter).




                         AMERICAN REALTY INVESTORS, INC.

             FORM 12B-25 NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING WITH RESPECT TO
          FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

                               SEC FILE NO. 1-9240


PART III - NARRATIVE

         American Realty Investors, Inc. ("ARI") is unable to file its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 without unreasonable
effort and expense due to incomplete data from its 80%-owned subsidiary,
Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. ("TCI").

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

         (3) For the year ended December 31, 2002, ARI had a net loss of
approximately $10.9 million. For the current period ended December 31, 2003, ARI
is currently estimated to have approximately "break even" results.