Exhibit 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   CONTACT: PAUL VITEK, CFO
                                                                  (972) 401-0090


                                                                 Release  #02-03



                    CARBO Ceramics Inc. Announces Adoption of
                             Shareholder Rights Plan

         IRVING, Texas, February 13, 2002--CARBO Ceramics Inc. (NYSE: CRR), a
manufacturer of ceramic proppants for use in the hydraulic fracturing of natural
gas and oil wells, announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a
Shareholder Rights Plan. The plan grants existing shareholders one right for
each outstanding share of CARBO Ceramics common stock. The rights become
exercisable only in the event that a tender offer for the Company is announced
or in the event that any person or group acquires beneficial ownership of at
least 15 percent of CARBO Ceramics common stock.

         Mark Pearson, President and Chief Executive Officer of CARBO Ceramics,
explained, "The Rights Plan is designed to protect the long-term value of our
shareholders' investments and help assure that all shareholders receive equal
treatment and the full value of their shares in any attempt to acquire the
Company. The Rights Plan will guard the shareholders against partial or
inadequate tender offers, open market accumulations and other abusive or
coercive takeover tactics. The Rights Plan was adopted as a protective measure
and not in response to any takeover attempt."

         Under the Rights Plan, if any person or group acquires beneficial
ownership of 15 percent or more of the Company's common stock, each holder of a
right, other than the 15 percent holder, may exercise that right at the exercise
price of $200 and buy CARBO Ceramics stock with a market value of twice the $200
exercise price. The Company may redeem the rights at any time before there is a
triggering 15 percent shareholder, for $0.01 per right.

         The rights will be distributed on February 25, 2002, to stockholders of
record on that date. The issuance of the rights has no dilutive effect, will not
affect reported earnings per share, and will not change the way in which
shareholders can presently trade common stock. Additional details of the
Shareholder Rights Plan will be distributed in a mailing to CARBO Ceramics
stockholders as of the record date.

         CARBO Ceramics Inc. is based in Irving, Texas.

         This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties including price volatility, operation and other risks
and other factors described in the Company's publicly available SEC reports,
which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in
the forward-looking statements.