LAME MP3 Encoder by Open Source Developers

The LAME encoder really isn't aimed at being distributed, it is more of an intellectual and programming project.  If you go to the official site, the only form you will get LAME in is an uncompiled source code.  For a compiled version of the latest stable build, v.3.93, download here.  LAME is command line operated, meaning if you are a DOS fan, you are in luck.  There is a list of operating commands at the main site.  If DOS isn't your thing (don't feel bad, it isn't mine either), you can download a number of graphical frontends for the encoder.  They work a lot like any of your other programs, just point and click and away you go.  Some of the more popular frontends for the LAME encoder are:

aumpel
RazorLAME
ALF

If you don't want a front end, you can drag and drop files to be encoded right to the LAME.exe icon wherever you decided to put the program on your computer. Another way to do this is some programs allow you to simply "plug in" LAME as an encoder, requiring no front end.  My personal favorite is Exact Audio Copy.  EAC is a very high quality ripper that performs numerous error checks to ensure the highest quality audio extraction possible.  You can set the compression options to LAME and surf to where you have dowloaded the lame.exe and have EAC start the encoder once it is done ripping.  Another high quality ripper that supports LAME in this way is Audio Grabber.

Another way to get the LAME encoder is packaged with other software.  Some software authors are incorporating LAME as their primary encoder due to the high quality.  Here are a few of those programs:

MP3 to WAVE Converter PLUS
MP3 WAV Converter
Easy CD Ripper
Advanced MP3 Home Studio
Advanced Audio CD Ripper
X2CD
AltoMP3 Maker
Advanced Encode Decode Tools
CDex
dbPowerAmp
Easy CDDA Extractor
Waver
YAMP
MPAction Tools
Audio Companion
Rob Fantastic MP3 Encoder
CD Stripper
JukeItUP
FreeRip MP3
Media Jukebox
CD to MP3 Maker
CD-DA X-Tractor
CDnGo (supports LAME)
Audio Convert
CDMaster32