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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 JTA+tbbBxcAjhTRQrfWQD0Nvkq2PELOFABXROfufLU8pbsoFTHBNzTRg4tNBO9LC
 GUF0SYZdZXyGvONQUnWpfw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000217346-07-000161.txt : 20071121
<SEC-HEADER>0000217346-07-000161.hdr.sgml : 20071121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071121143811
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000217346-07-000161
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20071114
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071121
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071121

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UNITED INDUSTRIAL CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000101271
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES [3690]
		IRS NUMBER:				952081809
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1214

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		124 INDUSTRY LANE
		CITY:			HUNT VALLEY
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21030
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(410) 628-3500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		124 INDUSTRY LANE
		CITY:			HUNT VALLEY
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21030

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TOPP INDUSTRIES CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710510

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HAYES MANUFACTURING CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19660911

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TEXTRON INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000217346
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AIRCRAFT & PARTS [3720]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04252
		FILM NUMBER:		071262857

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		40 WESTMINSTER ST
		CITY:			PROVIDENCE
		STATE:			RI
		ZIP:			02903
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4014212800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		40 WESTMINSTER ST
		CITY:			PROVIDENCE
		STATE:			RI
		ZIP:			02903

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICAN TEXTRON INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710510
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-11-14</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000101271</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNITED INDUSTRIAL CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>UIC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000217346</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TEXTRON INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>40 WESTMINSTER STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PROVIDENCE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>RI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02903</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8417623</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Marco Acquisition Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is the registered owner of these securities.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Ann T. Willaman, Assistant Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-11-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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