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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AlEMmI1q8p5BsRT96j09Q6aYjr6niZNGrMXIYaLuPAT62opQRWLOH3XJs6eUQ7Vs
 fjwQr17cA321OmfMzrMzQw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-005385.txt : 20030812
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-005385.hdr.sgml : 20030812
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030812121528
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-005385
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20020811
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030812

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SALOP STEVEN C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001079317

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24049
		FILM NUMBER:		03836600

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 13TH ST NW
		STREET 2:		STE 700
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20005

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		600 13TH ST NW
		STREET 2:		STE 700
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20005

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001053706
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-LEGAL SERVICES [8111]
		IRS NUMBER:				042372210
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 CLARENDON STREET
		STREET 2:		T-33
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6174253000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2002-08-11</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001053706</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRAI</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001079317</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SALOP STEVEN C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4636 BROAD BRANCH ROAD, N.W.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WASHINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>DE</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20008</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-08-11</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>96583</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>30.004</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>124340</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-08-11</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>24327</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>30.004</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>28080</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>By trust</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-08-11</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>24327</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>30.004</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>28080</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
<footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>By trust</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Represents the date of the closing of the public offering of shares of CRA's common stock pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement dated August 6, 2003 by and among CRA, the underwriters named therein, the reporting person, and the other selling stockholders named therein.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Represents a discount of $1.746 per share from the public offering price.</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">Represents shares held by the Salop Irrevocable GST-Taxable Trust 1998 u/i/d March 12, 1998 for the benefit of Dr. Salop and certain members of his immediate family.  Dr. Salop's wife is trustee of the trust.</footnote>
<footnote id="F4">Represents shares held by the Salop Irrevocable GST-Exempt Trust 1998 u/i/d March 12, 1998 for the benefit of Dr. Salop and certain members of his immediate family.  Dr. Salop's wife is trustee of the trust.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Delia J. Makhlouta, by power of attorney</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-08-12</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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