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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,
 O5A+eL91zHMniklahjmcyWjB4LqLc8jcZ5ND8URWDDYi0LVKG7f+TmWn+VP1ib8l
 F/3wkEcb3wqcpB3AKnbPVA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-05-014317.txt : 20050303
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-05-014317.hdr.sgml : 20050303
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050303180031
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-05-014317
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050216
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050303
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050303

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000825692
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PAPERBOARD MILLS [2631]
		IRS NUMBER:				581388387
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3100 JOE JERKINS BLVD
		CITY:			AUSTELL
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30106
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7709483101

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 115
		CITY:			AUSTELL
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30168

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Zarnikow Eric Risser
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001318781

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20646
		FILM NUMBER:		05659096

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		630-663-2361

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3250 LACEY ROAD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			DOWNERS GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60515
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd71318.xml
<DESCRIPTION>INITIAL FILING FOR NEW BOARD MEMBER
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-02-16</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000825692</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CSAR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001318781</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Zarnikow Eric Risser</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3250 LACEY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DOWNERS GROVE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60515</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>No Initial Holdings</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lee Gentry, as attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-03-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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