-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000025232-06-000081.txt : 20061116
<SEC-HEADER>0000025232-06-000081.hdr.sgml : 20061116
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061116170344
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000025232-06-000081
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061114
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061116
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061116

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COUSINS PROPERTIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000025232
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				580869052
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2500 WINDY RIDGE PKWY STE 1600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30339-5683
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7709552200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2500 WINDY RIDGE PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30339-5683

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MURPHY JOEL T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001232172

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11312
		FILM NUMBER:		061224002

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2500 WINDY RIDGE PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30339
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-11-14</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000025232</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COUSINS PROPERTIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CUZ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001232172</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MURPHY JOEL T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2500 WINDY RIDGE PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30339</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP-President Retail Division</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-11-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9514</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>35.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35790</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5497</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>In self-directed account</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares withheld from the vesting of restricted stock to pay the reporting person's tax liability as provided under the Cousins Properties Incorporated 1999 Incentive Stock Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents the shares held in the Company's Profit Sharing Plan in a self-directed account.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 17,441 shares of restricted stock awarded under the CPI 1999 Incentive Stock Plan.  These shares will vest 25% per year on each anniversary date of the grant, and CPI will hold these shares until such shares become vested.  While the shares are being held prior to vesting, the reporting person will have the right to receive all cash dividends and to vote the restricted shares.  All unvested shares will forfeit upon termination of employment.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Joel T. Murphy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-11-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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