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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                              ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our reports dated
January 29, 1998 included in Caraustar Industries, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997, and all references to our firm included in or
made a part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
June 25, 1998

