-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 ClKn+kr6nW77s3msp8wxX/eMq8xm1rsuHn6F2oN1ULG8fXk6MQjBkV9HUVxLiteu
 tBAgROWti4MS3833NP1x+A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-017902.txt : 20040910
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-017902.hdr.sgml : 20040910
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040910152726
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-017902
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040901
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040910
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040910

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Greenberg Jonathan A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001302375

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04252
		FILM NUMBER:		041025467

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(410)628-3500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O UNITED INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		124 INDUSTRY LANE
		CITY:			HUNT VALLEY
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21030

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:			1231

	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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001302375</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Greenberg Jonathan A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>124 INDUSTRY LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BALTIMORE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>21230</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, Gen. Counsel and Secretary</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jonathan A. Greenberg</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----