<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001181431-03-034441
<TYPE>4
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20031204
<FILING-DATE>20031208
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>HOLT RALPH M JR
<CIK>0001219527
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>4
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-20646
<FILM-NUMBER>031041659
</FILING-VALUES>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>P O BOX 968
<CITY>BURLINGTON
<STATE>NC
<ZIP>27216
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES INC
<CIK>0000825692
<ASSIGNED-SIC>2631
<IRS-NUMBER>581388387
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>NC
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>3100 JOE JERKINS BLVD
<CITY>AUSTELL
<STATE>GA
<ZIP>30106
<PHONE>7709483101
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>P O BOX 115
<CITY>AUSTELL
<STATE>GA
<ZIP>30168
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd24855.xml
<DESCRIPTION>GIFT OF CARAUSTAR SHARES
<TEXT>
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        <issuerName>CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CSAR</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001219527</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOLT RALPH M JR</rptOwnerName>
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        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P.O. BOX 115</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AUSTELL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30168</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
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</SUBMISSION>
