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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 J0I4Ta1MPpkS0B8sV4kXI6xAX+r52h9O7CJF6mBWJTB9g+xXaRSaWPGlZBWHxlIn
 +Ldm0VPZygXe+GImbF9HEw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-011139.txt : 20031121
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-011139.hdr.sgml : 20031121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031121150047
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-011139
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031120
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MOUER VINCE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001262414

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14472
		FILM NUMBER:		031017891

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6318 CLAIRMONT DR
		CITY:			AUSTIN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78749
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5126955798

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CORNELL COMPANIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001016152
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-FACILITIES SUPPORT MANAGEMENT SERVICES [8744]
		IRS NUMBER:				760433642
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1700 WEST LOOP SOUTH
		STREET 2:		STE 1500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77027
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136230790

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1700 WEST LOOP SOUTH
		STREET 2:		STE 1500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77027

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CORNELL CORRECTIONS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960604
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-11-20</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001016152</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CORNELL COMPANIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRN</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001262414</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MOUER VINCE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1700 WEST LOOP SOUTH, #1500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77027</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Corp. Secretary&amp;Corp. Counsel</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to Buy)</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>11.55</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-11-20</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>15000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>11.55</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2004-11-20</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-11-20</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>15000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>15000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">(1) The options become exercisable in 5 equal annual installments beginning 1 year from the date of grant as follows; 3,000 shares exercisable on 11-20-04; 3,000 shares exercisable on 11-20-05; 3,000 shares exercisable on 11-20-06; 3,000 shares exercisable on 11-20-07; 3,000 shares exercisable on 11-20-08 </footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Vince Mouer</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-11-21</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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