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                                  EXHIBIT 5.01

                        ROBINSON, BRADSHAW & HINSON, P.A.

                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW


                                                        SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICE
101 NORTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 1900                      THE GUARDIAN BUILDING
  CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28246                     ONE LAW PLACE - SUITE 600
     TELEPHONE (704) 377-2536                             P.O. DRAWER 12070
        FAX (704) 378-4000                              ROCK HILL, S.C. 29731
                                                      TELEPHONE (803) 325-2900
                                                         FAX (803) 325-2929


                                November 6, 1998

Caraustar Industries, Inc.
3100 Washington Street
Austell, Georgia 30106

           Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

           We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed herewith
(the "Registration Statement") of Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North Carolina
corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), up to 2,000,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Shares"), for issuance
from time to time in connection with business acquisitions. We have examined the
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and the Second Amended and
Restated Bylaws, as amended, of the Company, records of proceedings of the Board
of Directors of the Company, and other Company records, together with applicable
certificates of public officials and other documents that we have deemed
relevant.

           Based upon the foregoing and subject to the conditions set forth
below, it is our opinion that the Shares, when issued and sold as contemplated
by the Registration Statement, will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

           The opinions expressed herein are contingent upon the Registration
Statement, as amended, becoming effective under the Securities Act and the
Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Second Amended and
Restated Bylaws not being further amended prior to the issuance of the Shares.

           We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to said
Registration Statement and to being named therein and in the prospectus that
constitutes a part thereof as attorneys who will pass upon certain legal matters
in connection with the validity of the Shares. In giving such consent, we do not
hereby admit we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    ROBINSON, BRADSHAW & HINSON, P.A.


                                    /s/  Patrick S. Bryant
                                    ----------------------------------
                                    Patrick S. Bryant


