-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AJrm/sISq7w2H/zX5rJV6Ky03GC9PyPG7Ym+c2XyQhi5fTg/Ey1RNvr6a9ibhpbi
 YzNEfEONMXNwVOkeYBfKew==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-09-000116.txt : 20090105
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-09-000116.hdr.sgml : 20090105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090105121523
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-09-000116
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090105
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090105
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090105

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Porter Cathryn L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001299360

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14472
		FILM NUMBER:		09503297

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		713-621-2245

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3040 POST OAK BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 675
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-05</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001016152</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CORNELL COMPANIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001299360</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Porter Cathryn L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1700 WEST LOOP SOUTH, SUITE 1500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77027</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText>General Counsel</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Patrick N. Perrin, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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