SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549
                           ----------------------
                                Amendment No. 4
                                 SCHEDULE 13G*
                                (Rule 13d-102)

            INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
           TO RULES 13d-1(b), (c) AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
                              PURSUANT TO 13d-2(b)

                         Firstfed America Bancorp, Inc.
                               (Name of Issuer)

                                 Common Stock
                        (Title of Class of Securities)

                                  337929103
                                (CUSIP Number)

                                December 31, 2000
            (Date of event which requires filing of this statement)



     Check the  appropriate  box to  designate  the rule  pursuant to which this
Schedule 13G is filed:


     [ ]  Rule 13d-1(b)
     [X]  Rule 13d-1(c)
     [ ]  Rule 13d-1(d)





                           (Page 1 of 12 Pages)
----------------
     *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 the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The  information  required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange Act
of 1934 ("Act") 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. 337929103                 13G                    Page 2 of 12 Pages

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                           Tontine Partners, L.P.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [X]
                                                                  (b)  [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                                                 Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                 65,000
OWNED BY       ______________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 65,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
             BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                 65,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)    CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
             IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)    PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
             BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 1.0%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)    TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                 PN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                    Page 3 of 12 Pages

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                           Tontine Financial Partners, L.P.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [X]
                                                                  (b)  [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                                                 Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                 414,700
OWNED BY       ______________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 414,700
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
             BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                 414,700
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)    CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
             IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)    PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
             BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 6.5%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)    TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                 PN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                    Page 4 of 12 Pages

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                                  Tontine Associates, L.L.C.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [X]
                                                                  (b)  [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                                                 Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                 10,000
OWNED BY       ______________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 10,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
             BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                 10,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)    CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
             IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)    PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
             BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 0.2%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)    TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                 PN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                    Page 5 of 12 Pages

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                           Tontine Management, L.L.C.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [X]
                                                                  (b)  [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                                                 Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                 489,700
OWNED BY       ______________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 489,700
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (9)     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
             BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                 489,700
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)    CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
             IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)    PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
             BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 7.7%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)    TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                 OO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                    Page 6 of 12 Pages

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                           Tontine Overseas Associates, LLC.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [X]
                                                                  (b)  [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                                                 Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 -0-
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                 90,000
OWNED BY       ______________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 -0-
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 90,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
             BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                 90,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)    CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
             IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)    PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
             BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 1.4%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)    TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                 IA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!






CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                    Page 7 of 12 Pages

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
            OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
                                                 Jeffrey L. Gendell
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
                                                                  (a)  [X]
                                                                  (b)  [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)    SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
                                                 United States
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF      (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                 2,500
SHARES         ______________________________________________________________

BENEFICIALLY   (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
                                                 579,700
OWNED BY       ______________________________________________________________

EACH           (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 2,500
REPORTING      ______________________________________________________________

PERSON WITH    (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                 579,700
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (9)     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
             BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                 582,200
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (10)    CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
             IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES **                       [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (11)    PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
             BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
                                                 9.1%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (12)    TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
                                                 IN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    ** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





 CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                   Page 8 of 12 Pages

     This  Schedule  13G is filed as  Amendment  No. 4 to Schedule  13G that was
previously filed by the Reporting Persons on November 4, 1998.

Item 1(a).  Name of Issuer:

     The name of the issuer is Firstfed America Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company").

Item 1(b).  Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:

     The Company's principal executive offices are located at One Firstfed Park,
Swansea, Massachusetts 02777.

Item 2(a).  Name of Person Filing:

     This statement is filed by:

          (i) Tontine Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("TP")
              with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly owned by it.
         (ii) Tontine Financial Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
              ("TFP"), with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly
              owned by it;
        (iii) Tontine Associates, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
              ("TA"), with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly
              owned by it;
         (iv) Tontine Management, L.L.C., a limited liability company
              organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("TM"),
              with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly owned by
              TP, TFP and TA;
          (v) Tontine Overseas Associates, L.L.C., a limited liability company
              organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("TOA"), which
              serves as investment manager to Tontine Overseas Fund, Ltd.
              ("TOF") and TFP Overseas Fund, Ltd. ("TFPO"), both companies
              organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and certain
              managed accounts, with respect to the shares of Common Stock
              directly owned by TOF, TFPO and certain managed accounts; and (vi)
              Jeffrey L. Gendell ("Mr. Gendell"), with respect to the shares of
              Common Stock directly owned by each of TP, TFP, TA, TOF and TFPO;
              and

               The foregoing persons are hereinafter sometimes collectively
          referred to as the "Reporting Persons."  Any disclosures herein with
          respect to persons other than the Reporting Persons are made on
          information and belief after making inquiry to the appropriate party.

Item 2(b).  Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence:

     The address of the business office of each of the Reporting  Persons is 200
Park Avenue, Suite 3900, New York, New York 10166.






CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                   Page 9 of 12 Pages

Item 2(c).  Citizenship:

     TFP and TP are limited  partnerships  organized under the laws of the State
of Delaware.  TA, TM and TOA are limited liability companies organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware.  Mr. Gendell is a United States citizen.


Item 2(d).  Title of Class of Securities:

     Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the "Common Stock")

Item 2(e).  CUSIP Number:

     337929103


Item 3.     If this  statement is filed  pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b) or 13d-2(b)
or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

          (a) [ ]   Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act,

          (b) [ ]   Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act,

          (c) [ ]   Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of
                    the Act,

          (d) [ ]   Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the
                    Investment Company Act of 1940,

          (e) [ ]   Investment Adviser in accordance with Rule
                    13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(E),

          (f) [ ]   Employee Benefit Plan or Endowment Fund in accordance
                    with 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(F),

          (g) [ ]   Parent Holding Company or control person in accordance
                    with Rule 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(G),

          (h) [ ]   Savings Association as defined in Section 3(b) of the
                    Federal Deposit Insurance Act,

          (i) [ ]  Church Plan that is excluded  from the  definition of an
                    investment  company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment
                    Company Act of 1940,

          (j) [ ]   Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

     Not applicable.





CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                   Page 10 of 12 Pages

Item 4.     Ownership.

         A. Tontine Partners, L.P.
              (a) Amount beneficially owned: 65,000
              (b) Percent of class:  1.0%  The percentages used herein and in
the rest of Item 4 are calculated based upon the 6,400,557 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding as of November 3, 2000 as reflected in the
Company's form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending September 30, 2000.
              (c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
                (ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 65,000
               (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
                (iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 65,000

         B. Tontine Financial Partners, L.P.
              (a) Amount beneficially owned: 414,700
              (b) Percent of class: 6.5%
              (c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
                (ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 414,700
               (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
                (iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 414,700

         C. Tontine Associates, L.L.C.
              (a) Amount beneficially owned: 10,000
              (b) Percent of class: 0.2%
              (c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
                (ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 10,000
               (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
                (iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 10,000

         D. Tontine Management, L.L.C.
              (a) Amount beneficially owned: 489,700
              (b) Percent of class: 7.7%
              (c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
                (ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 489,700
               (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
                (iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 489,700

         E. Tontine Overseas Associates, L.L.C.
              (a) Amount beneficially owned: 90,000
              (b) Percent of class: 1.4%
              (c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
                (ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 90,000
               (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
                (iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 90,000

         F. Jeffrey L. Gendell
              (a) Amount beneficially owned: 582,200
              (b) Percent of class: 9.1%
              (c)(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 2,500
                (ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 579,700
               (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 2,500
                (iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 579,700






CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                   Page 11 of 12 Pages

Item 5.     Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

     Not applicable.


Item 6.     Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

     TM, the general  partner of TP and TFP and the  managing  member of TA, has
the  power  to  direct  the  affairs  of TP,  TFP  and TA,  including  decisions
respecting  the  disposition  of the proceeds  from the sale of the shares.  Mr.
Gendell  is  the  Managing  Member  of TM,  and in  that  capacity  directs  its
operations.  TOF and TFPO have the power to direct the receipt of dividends from
or the proceeds of sale of their shares.


Item 7.     Identification  and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired
the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.

     Not applicable.

Item 8.  Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

     See Item 2.

Item 9.  Notice of Dissolution of Group.

     Not applicable.


Item 10.  Certification.

     Each of the Reporting Persons hereby makes the following certification:

          By  signing  below I certify  that,  to the best of my  knowledge  and
belief, the securities  referred to above were not acquired and are not held for
the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing  the control of the
issuer of the  securities  and were not acquired and are not held in  connection
with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.






CUSIP No. 337929103                 13G                   Page 12 of 12 Pages

                                   SIGNATURES

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


DATED:  February 14, 2001

                                    /s/ JEFFREY L. GENDELL
                                    Jeffrey L. Gendell, individually, and as
                                    managing member of
                                    Tontine Management, L.L.C.,
                                    general partner of
                                    Tontine Partners, L.P. and
                                    Tontine Financial Partners, L.P.,


                                    and as managing member of
                                    Tontine Overseas Associates, L.L.C.