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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WeZub6BVuf0YjxqvQD7zRioV8txbJd99R1COKY5zy7W89Qbb/prKY+rJYfNrHf7K
 wRicQf9zF9isxzaPsa/ihA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000789863-08-000055.txt : 20081215
<SEC-HEADER>0000789863-08-000055.hdr.sgml : 20081215
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081215120021
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000789863-08-000055
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081210
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081215
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081215

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TESNEY BOBBY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001239079

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09792
		FILM NUMBER:		081249048

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5064 GREYSTONE WAY
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35242

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CAVALIER HOMES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000789863
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOBILE HOMES [2451]
		IRS NUMBER:				630949734
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		32 WILSON BLVD. 100
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 540
		CITY:			ADDISON
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35540
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2567479800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		32 WILSON BLVD. 100
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 540
		CITY:			ADDISON
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35540
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000789863</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CAVALIER HOMES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CAV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001239079</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TESNEY BOBBY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>32 WILSON BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ADDISON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>35540</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CEO and President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.94</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Michael R. Murphy, as Attorney-in-fact  For: Bobby Tesney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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