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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KS+majG85nNtRbNl72/Uy1hkoJPlkNbE4b2ylQBjMzHjxUtKZWpqc41JmDnZlzEM
 aOKfjMCvTaCpzEN6VLmLaw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000103973-03-000125.txt : 20030506
<SEC-HEADER>0000103973-03-000125.hdr.sgml : 20030506
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030506152804
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000103973-03-000125
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030502
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030506

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VULCAN MATERIALS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000103973
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MINING, QUARRYING OF NONMETALLIC MINERALS (NO FUELS) [1400]
		IRS NUMBER:				630366371
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1200 URBAN CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35242
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2052983000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 385014
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35238-5014

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WASON ROBERT A IV
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001204577

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04033
		FILM NUMBER:		03684215

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		VULCAN MATERIALS CO
		STREET 2:		1200 URBAN CENTER DR
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35242
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-05-02</periodOfReport>
<issuer><issuerCik>0000103973</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VULCAN MATERIALS CO</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>VMC</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001204577</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WASON ROBERT A IV</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Sr. VP, Corp Development</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock (Deferred Compensation)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-05-02</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>25</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>35.24</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></expirationDate><underl
yingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>25</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3124</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Convertible on a 1-for-1 basis.</footnote><footnote id="F2">The units are to be settled in Vulcan common stock commencing at the retirement of the reporting person.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Amy M. Tucker, attorney-in-fact for Robert A. Wason IV</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-05-06</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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