UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 SCHEDULE 13G/A
                                 (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 RULE 13D-2
                               (AMENDMENT NO. 3)*

                            Sterling Chemicals, Inc.
                               (NAME OF ISSUER)

                          Common Stock $0.01 par value
                         (TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)

                                   859166100
                                 (CUSIP NUMBER)

                               December 31, 2008
            (DATE OF EVENT WHICH REQUIRES FILING OF THIS STATEMENT)

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

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

*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 the purpose 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. 85916600             13G                     PAGE 1 OF  6  PAGES

1.    NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
            Avenue Capital Management II, L.P.

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

3.    SEC USE ONLY

4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

      Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:


5.     SOLE VOTING POWER

      None

6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

      428,471

7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

      None.

8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

      428,471

9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      428,471

10.   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES:
      [  ]

11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

      15.2%

12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

      IA


CUSIP NO. 85916600             13G                     PAGE 2 OF  6  PAGES

1.    NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
            Avenue Capital Management II GenPar, LLC

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

3.    SEC USE ONLY

4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

      Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:


5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

      None

6.     SHARED VOTING POWER

      428,471

7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

      None.


8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

      428,471

9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      428,471

10.   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES:
       [  ]

11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

      15.2%

12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

      OO


CUSIP NO. 85916600             13G                     PAGE 3 OF  6  PAGES

1.    NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
            Marc Lasry

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

3.    SEC USE ONLY

4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

      U.S.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:


5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

      None

6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

      428,471

7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

      None.


8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

      428,471

9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      428,471


10.   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES:
      [  ]

11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

      15.2%

12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

      HC/IN


CUSIP NO. 85916600             13G                     PAGE 4 OF  6  PAGES

1.    NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
            Avenue Special Situations Fund V, L.P.

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

3.    SEC USE ONLY

4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

      Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:


5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

      None

6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

      216,618

7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

      None.


8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

      216,618

9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      216,618

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

      PN


CUSIP NO. 85916600             13G                     PAGE 5 OF  6  PAGES

1.    NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
            Avenue Capital Partners V, LLC

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

3.    SEC USE ONLY

4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

      Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:


5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

      None

6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

      216,618

7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

      None.


8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

      216,618

9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      216,618


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



CUSIP NO. 85916600             13G                     PAGE 6 OF  6  PAGES

1.    NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
            GL Partners V, LLC

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

3.    SEC USE ONLY

4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:


5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

      None

6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

      216,618

7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

      None.


8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

      216,618

9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

      216,618

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


ITEM 1.

(A)   NAME OF ISSUER:   Sterling Chemicals, Inc.

(B)   ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:

      333 Clay Street, Suite 3600
      Houston, Texas 77002-4109

ITEM 2.

(A)   NAMES OF PERSONS FILING:  See Cover Pages, Item 1.

(B)   ADDRESS OR PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE:

      c/o Avenue Capital Management II, L.P.
      535 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor
      New York, NY 10022

(C)   CITIZENSHIP:  See Cover Pages, Item 4

(D)   TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES:   Common Stock, par value $0.01.

(E)   CUSIP NO.:   859166100

ITEM 3. STATEMENT FILED PURSUANT TO RULES 13D-1(B), OR 13D-2(B) OR (C):

Not applicable

ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP

See Cover Pages, Items 5 through 11.

The approximate percentages of shares of Common Stock reported as beneficially
owned by the Reporting Persons (as defined below) are based upon 2,828,460
shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 31, 2008, as reported by the
Issuer in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 12, 2008.

Collectively, the securities reported in this Schedule 13G are held by Avenue
Investments, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Avenue Special Situations
Fund V, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Avenue Special Situations Fund IV,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Avenue Special Situations Fund II, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership, Avenue-CDP Global Opportunities Fund, L.P. a
Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and Avenue International Master,
L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (collectively, the "Avenue
Entities").  Avenue Special Situations Fund V, L.P. is the only one of the
Avenue Entities that holds more than 5% of the Common Stock.  Avenue Capital
Partners V, LLC is the General Partner of Avenue Special Situations Fund V, L.P.
GL Partners V, LLC is the Managing Member of Avenue Capital Partners V, LLC and
Marc Lasry is the Managing Member of GL Partners V, LLC.  Avenue Capital
Management II, L.P. is an investment adviser to each of the Avenue Entities.
Avenue Capital Management II GenPar, LLC is the General Partner of Avenue
Capital Management II, L.P. and Marc Lasry is the Managing Member of Avenue
Capital Management II GenPar, LLC.  Avenue Capital Management II, L.P., Avenue
Capital Management II GenPar, LLC, Avenue Special Situations Fund V, L.P. and
Marc Lasry are collectively referred to as the "Reporting Persons" in this
Schedule 13G.

ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT (5%) OR LESS OF A CLASS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT (5%) ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.



The Avenue Entities have the right to receive dividends in connection with their
ownership  of, and the proceeds of the sale of, the subject securities of Issuer
as owned by  such  entities.  None of the Avenue Entities beneficially owns more
than five percent (5%)  of  the  class  except Avenue Special Situations Fund V,
L.P.

ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED THE
SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY OR CONTROL PERSON.

Collectively, the securities reported in this Schedule 13G are held by Avenue
Investments, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Avenue Special Situations
Fund V, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Avenue Special Situations Fund IV,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Avenue Special Situations Fund II, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership, Avenue-CDP Global Opportunities Fund, L.P. a
Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and Avenue International Master,
L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (collectively, the "Avenue
Entities").  Avenue Capital Partners V, LLC is the General Partner of Avenue
Special Situations Fund V, L.P.  GL Partners V, LLC is the Managing Member of
Avenue Capital Partners V, LLC and Marc Lasry is the Managing Member of GL
Partners V, LLC.  Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. is an investment adviser to
each of the Avenue Entities.  Avenue Capital Management II GenPar, LLC is the
General Partner of Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. and Marc Lasry is the
Managing Member of Avenue Capital Management II GenPar, LLC.

ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.

Not applicable.

ITEM 10. CERTIFICATIONS.

By signing below, each of the undersigned certifies that, to the best of his or
its individual knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were
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.




                                   SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best  of  the  knowledge  and  belief of the
undersigned, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in
this  statement with respect to such entity or individual is true, complete  and
correct.


Dated: February 12, 2009


                                           AVENUE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT II, L.P.


                                           By:   Avenue Capital Management II
                                                 GenPar, LLC, its General
                                                 Partner


                                                 /s/Marc Lasry
                                           By:   Marc Lasry
                                           Its:  Managing Member



                                           AVENUE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT II GENPAR,
                                           LLC


                                                 /s/Marc Lasry
                                           By:   Marc Lasry
                                           Its:  Managing Member





                                                       /s/Marc Lasry
                                           Name:       Marc Lasry
                                           Capacity:   Individually



                                           AVENUE SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND V,
                                           L.P.

                                           By:   Avenue Capital Partners V, LLC,
                                                 its General Partner

                                           By:   GL Partners V, LLC,
                                                 its Managing Member


                                                 /s/Marc Lasry
                                           By:   Marc Lasry
                                           Its:  Managing Member





                                           AVENUE CAPITAL PARTNERS V, LLC

                                           By:   GL Partners V, LLC,
                                                 its Managing Member


                                                 /s/Marc Lasry
                                           By:   Marc Lasry
                                           Its:  Managing Member




                                           GL PARTNERS V, LLC


                                                 /s/Marc Lasry
                                           By:   Marc Lasry
                                           Its:  Managing Member





                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS




EXHIBIT A    Agreement of Reporting Persons






                                   EXHIBIT A

                         AGREEMENT OF REPORTING PERSONS

Avenue  Capital  Management  II,  L.P.,  a  Delaware limited partnership, Avenue
Capital Management II GenPar, LLC, a Delaware  limited liability company, Avenue
Special Situations Fund V, L.P., a Delaware limited  partnership, Avenue Capital
Partners V, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company,  GL  Partners  V,  LLC, a
Delaware  limited  liability company and Marc Lasry, an individual, hereby agree
to file jointly the  statement  on  Schedule  13G/A  to  which this Agreement is
attached and any amendments thereto which may be deemed necessary,  pursuant  to
Regulation 13D-G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

It  is  understood and agreed that each of the parties hereto is responsible for
the timely  filing  of  such  statement  and any amendments thereto, and for the
completeness and accuracy of the information  concerning  such  party  contained
therein, but such party is not responsible for the completeness and accuracy  of
information  concerning any other party unless such party knows or has reason to
believe such information is inaccurate.

It is understood  and  agreed that a copy of this Agreement shall be attached as
an exhibit to the statement on Schedule 13G/A, and any amendments thereto, filed
on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

Dated:  February 12, 2009


                                          AVENUE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT II, L.P.


                                          By:   Avenue Capital Management II
                                                GenPar, LLC, its General
                                                Partner


                                                /s/Marc Lasry
                                          By:   Marc Lasry
                                          Its:  Managing Member



                                          AVENUE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT II GENPAR,
                                          LLC


                                                /s/Marc Lasry
                                          By:   Marc Lasry
                                          Its:  Managing Member





                                                      /s/Marc Lasry
                                          Name:       Marc Lasry
                                          Capacity:   Individually






                                          AVENUE SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND V, L.P.

                                          By:   Avenue Capital Partners V, LLC,
                                                its General Partner

                                          By:   GL Partners V, LLC,
                                                its Managing Member



                                                /s/Marc Lasry
                                          By:   Marc Lasry
                                          Its:  Managing Member



                                          AVENUE CAPITAL PARTNERS V, LLC

                                          By:   GL Partners V, LLC,
                                                its Managing Member


                                                /s/Marc Lasry
                                          By:   Marc Lasry
                                          Its:  Managing Member




                                          GL PARTNERS V, LLC


                                                /s/Marc Lasry
                                          By:   Marc Lasry
                                          Its:  Managing Member