
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT JUNE 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME OF CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES FOR THE SIX 
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           6,810
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   81,816<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     70,721
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               166,267
<PP&E>                                         509,612
<DEPRECIATION>                                (189,636)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 618,048
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          107,142
<BONDS>                                        232,061<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,542
<OTHER-SE>                                     232,691
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   618,048
<SALES>                                        366,529
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               366,529
<CGS>                                          265,545
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  265,545
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,689
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,722
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,656
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,508
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,508
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.04
<FN>
<F1>RECEIVABLES ARE PRESENTED NET OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS.
<F2>BONDS REPRESENT REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS AND LONG-TERM DEBT LESS CURRENT 
MATURITIES.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
