================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                   ----------

                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A
                                 (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)

                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A

                  UNDER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                               (AMENDMENT NO. 15)*

                                   ----------

                              ISTAR FINANCIAL INC.
                                (Name of Issuer)
                         COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.001
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   85569R 104
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                   ----------

                                JEROME C. SILVEY
                         STARWOOD CAPITAL GROUP, L.L.C.
                              591 WEST PUTNAM AVE.
                               GREENWICH, CT 06830
                            TELEPHONE: (203) 422-7000

            (Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
                     to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                   ----------

                                    Copy to:
                            CARMEN J. ROMANO, ESQUIRE
                                     DECHERT
                            4000 BELL ATLANTIC TOWER
                                1717 ARCH STREET
                             PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103
                            TELEPHONE: (215) 994-4000


                                  MAY 31, 2002

                                   ----------

             (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 which 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(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

                  *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 ("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).

                                                  (Continued on following pages)


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CUSIP NO. 85569R 104                  1D                     PAGE 2 OF 16 PAGES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS/I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
    (ENTITIES ONLY)
    SOFI-IV SMT Holdings, L.L.C.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    (See Instructions)
                                                                         (a) [X]
                                                                         (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3   SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4   SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

    N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                7   SOLE VOTING POWER
  NUMBER OF
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
   SHARES      -----------------------------------------------------------------
                8   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
                    0
OWNED BY EACH  -----------------------------------------------------------------
                9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
  REPORTING
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
   PERSON      -----------------------------------------------------------------
               10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
    WITH
                    0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     23,585,538 (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)                                       [ ]

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

     26.6% (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     OO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CUSIP NO. 85569R 104                  13D                     PAGE 3 OF 16 PAGES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS/I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
    (ENTITIES ONLY)
    Starwood Opportunity Fund IV, L.P.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    (See Instructions)
                                                                         (a) [X]
                                                                         (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3   SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4   SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

    N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                7   SOLE VOTING POWER
  NUMBER OF
                    0
   SHARES      -----------------------------------------------------------------
                8   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
OWNED BY EACH  -----------------------------------------------------------------
                9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
  REPORTING
                    0
   PERSON      -----------------------------------------------------------------
               10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
    WITH
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     23,585,538 (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)                                       [ ]

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

     26.6% (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CUSIP NO. 85569R 104                  13D                     PAGE 4 OF 16 PAGES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS/I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
    (ENTITIES ONLY)
    SOFI-IV Management, L.L.C.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    (See Instructions)
                                                                         (a) [X]
                                                                         (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3   SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4   SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

    N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
    TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)                                                    [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    Connecticut
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                7   SOLE VOTING POWER
  NUMBER OF
                    0
   SHARES      -----------------------------------------------------------------
                8   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
OWNED BY EACH  -----------------------------------------------------------------
                9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
  REPORTING
                    0
   PERSON      -----------------------------------------------------------------
               10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
    WITH
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     23,585,538 (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)                                       [ ]

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

     26.6% (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     OO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CUSIP NO. 85569R 104                  13D                     PAGE 5 OF 16 PAGES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS/I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
    (ENTITIES ONLY)
    Starwood Capital Group, L.L.C.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    (See Instructions)
                                                                         (a) [X]
                                                                         (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3   SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4   SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

    N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
    TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)                                                    [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    Connecticut
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                7   SOLE VOTING POWER
  NUMBER OF
                    8,000
   SHARES      -----------------------------------------------------------------
                8   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
OWNED BY EACH  -----------------------------------------------------------------
                9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
  REPORTING
                    8,000
   PERSON      -----------------------------------------------------------------
               10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
    WITH
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     23,585,538 (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)                                       [ ]

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

     26.6% (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     OO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CUSIP NO. 85569R 104                  13D                     PAGE 6 OF 16 PAGES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS/I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
    (ENTITIES ONLY)
    Barry S. Sternlicht
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
    (See Instructions)
                                                                         (a) [X]
                                                                         (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3   SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4   SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)

    OO,PF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
    TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)                                                    [ ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    United States
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                7   SOLE VOTING POWER
  NUMBER OF
                    1,376,887
   SHARES      -----------------------------------------------------------------
                8   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
OWNED BY EACH  -----------------------------------------------------------------
                9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
  REPORTING
                    1,376,887
   PERSON      -----------------------------------------------------------------
               10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
    WITH
                    23,585,538 (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     24,970,425 (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)                                       [ ]

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

     28.2% (See Item 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)

     IN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                              PAGE 7 OF 16 PAGES

                        AMENDMENT NO. 15 TO SCHEDULE 13D

         This Amendment No. 15 to the Schedule 13D filed on November 29, 1993
(the "Schedule 13D"), as amended on January 13, 1994, February 9, 1994, March
15, 1994, March 22, 1996, September 26, 1996, January 22, 1997, March 18, 1998,
October 14, 1998, June 15, 1999, November 19, 1999, May 29, 2001, November 7,
2001, November 9, 2001 and on May 21, 2002 is on behalf of SOFI-IV SMT Holdings,
L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("SMT"), Starwood Opportunity Fund
IV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("SOFI IV"), SOFI IV Management,
L.L.C., a Connecticut limited liability company ("SOFI IV Management"), Starwood
Capital Group, L.L.C., a Connecticut limited liability company ("SCG") and Barry
S. Sternlicht.

         Unless specifically amended and/or restated herein, the disclosure set
forth in the Schedule 13D, as amended through Amendment No. 14, shall remain
unchanged.

ITEM 1.  SECURITY AND ISSUER.

         No amendment.

ITEM 2.  IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.

         No amendment.

ITEM 3.  SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

         No amendment.

ITEM 4.  PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.

         The information previously furnished in response to Item 4 is hereby
amended by adding at the end thereto the following:

         SMT has sold an aggregate of 802,800 Shares of the Issuer in connection
with the underwriter's option to acquire such Shares, pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement dated as of May 15, 2002 by and among the Issuer, SMT and Merrill
Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch , Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the
"Underwriter") as more fully described in Item 6. The Underwriter's
over-allotment option period expired on June 14, 2002.

ITEM 5.  INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

         The information previously furnished in response to Item 5 is hereby
amended and restated as follows:

         Based on information provided by the Issuer, the total number of Shares
outstanding as of May 10, 2002 for purposes of calculating the percentage
ownership of Shares for each Reporting Person equaled 88,624,542.

         (a) Aggregate Number and Percentage of the Class of Securities
Identified Pursuant to Item 1 Beneficially Owned by Each Person Named in Item 2:

         As of May 31, 2002, SMT beneficially owned approximately 26.6% of the
issued and outstanding Shares, or 23,585,538 Shares.

         As of May 31, 2002, SOFI IV may be deemed to have beneficially owned
approximately 26.6% of the issued and outstanding Shares, or 23,585,538 Shares,
by virtue of being the sole member and manager of SMT. This Reporting Person
disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of its
pecuniary interest therein.



                                                              PAGE 8 OF 16 PAGES

         As of May 31, 2002, SOFI IV Management may be deemed to have
beneficially owned approximately 26.6% of the issued and outstanding Shares, or
23,585,538 Shares, by virtue of being the general partner of SOFI IV, which is
the sole member and manager of SMT. This Reporting Person disclaims beneficial
ownership of these securities except to the extent of its pecuniary interest
therein.

         As of May 31, 2002, SCG may be deemed to have beneficially owned
approximately 26.6% of the issued and outstanding Shares, or 23,593,538 Shares
(which includes 8,000 Shares directly owned by this Reporting Person) by virtue
of being a general manager of SOFI IV Management, which is the general partner
of SOFI IV, which is the sole member and manager of SMT. This Reporting Person
disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of its
pecuniary interest therein.

         As of May 31, 2002, Barry S. Sternlicht may be deemed to have
beneficially owned approximately 26.6% of the issued and outstanding Shares, or
23,593,538 Shares (which excludes the number of Shares personally owned by Mr.
Sternlicht as indicated below), by virtue of his control of SCG, which is the
general manager of SOFI IV Management, which is the general partner of SOFI IV,
which is the sole member and manager of SMT. This Reporting Person disclaims
beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of his pecuniary
interest therein. Mr. Sternlicht also personally owns, either directly or
through a family foundation, approximately an additional 1.6% of the issued and
outstanding Shares or 1,376,887 Shares.

         (b) Number of Shares as to Which There is Sole Power to Vote or to
Direct the Vote, Shared Power to Vote or to Direct the Vote, and Sole or Shared
Power to Dispose or to Direct the Disposition:

         As of May 31, 2002:

         SMT has the sole power to vote and dispose of 23,585,538 Shares. SMT
does not share the power to vote or dispose of any Shares.

         By virtue of being the sole member and manager of SMT, SOFI IV shares
the power to vote and dispose of 23,585,538 Shares. SOFI IV does not have the
sole power to vote or dispose of any Shares.

         By virtue of being a general partner of SOFI IV, which is the sole
member and manager of SMT, SOFI IV Management shares the power to vote and
dispose of 23,585,538 Shares. SOFI IV Management does not have the sole power to
vote or dispose of any Shares.

         By virtue of being a general manager of SOFI IV Management, which is
the general partner of SOFI IV, which is the sole member and manager of SMT, SCG
shares the power to vote and dispose of 23,585,538 Shares. SCG has the sole
power to vote or dispose of 8,000 Shares.

         By virtue of being the general manager of SCG (which is the general
manager of SOFI IV Management, which is the general partner of SOFI IV, which is
the general manager of SMT), Barry S. Sternlicht shares the power to vote and
dispose of 23,593,538 Shares. Mr. Sternlicht has the sole power to vote or
dispose of 1,376,887 Shares held personally by him either directly or through a
family foundation.

         (c) Except as specified in Item 4 or Item 5, or as previously reported
in the Schedule 13D, no Reporting Person has effected any transactions in Shares
during the 60 day period preceding May 31, 2002.

ITEM 6.  CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT
         TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

         No amendment.



ITEM 7.  MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.


         Exhibit No.                    Description
         -----------                    -----------


                                                              PAGE 9 OF 16 PAGES


         1                              Joint Filing Agreement, dated as of
                                        June 18, 2002, by and among the
                                        Reporting Persons.





                                                             PAGE 10 OF 16 PAGES


                                   SIGNATURES

         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.

Dated as of June 18, 2002.            SOFI-IV SMT HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

                                      By:     Starwood Opportunity Fund IV, L.P.
                                      Its:    Sole Member and Manager

                                      By:     SOFI IV Management, L.L.C.
                                      Its:    General Partner

                                      By:     Starwood Capital Group, L.L.C.
                                      Its:    General Manager

                                      By:     /s/ Jerome C. Silvey
                                              ----------------------------------
                                      Name:   Jerome C. Silvey
                                      Its:    Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Financial Officer






                                                             PAGE 11 OF 16 PAGES


                                   SIGNATURES

         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.

Dated as of June 18, 2002.            STARWOOD OPPORTUNITY FUND IV,  L.P.

                                      By:     SOFI IV Management, L.L.C.
                                      Its:    General Partner

                                      By:     Starwood Capital Group, L.L.C.
                                      Its:    General Manager

                                      By:     /s/ Jerome C. Silvey
                                              ----------------------------------
                                      Name:   Jerome C. Silvey
                                      Its:    Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Financial Officer





                                                             PAGE 12 OF 16 PAGES


                                   SIGNATURES

         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.

Dated as of June 18, 2002.            SOFI IV MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

                                      By:     Starwood Capital Group, L.L.C.
                                      Its:    General Manager

                                      By:     /s/ Jerome C. Silvey
                                              ----------------------------------
                                      Name:   Jerome C. Silvey
                                      Its:    Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Financial Officer




                                                             PAGE 13 OF 16 PAGES


                                   SIGNATURES

         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.

Dated as of June 18, 2002.            STARWOOD CAPITAL GROUP, L.L.C.


                                      By:     /s/ Jerome C. Silvey
                                              ----------------------------------
                                      Name:   Jerome C. Silvey
                                      Its:    Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Financial Officer





                                                             PAGE 14 OF 16 PAGES

                                   SIGNATURES

         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.

Dated as of June 18, 2002.

                                      By:     /s/ Barry S. Sternlicht
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Name:   Barry S. Sternlicht