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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000025232-08-000048.txt : 20080911
<SEC-HEADER>0000025232-08-000048.hdr.sgml : 20080911
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080911143233
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000025232-08-000048
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080909
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080911
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080911

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COUSINS PROPERTIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000025232
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				580869052
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		191 PEACHTREE STREET N.E.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303-1740
		BUSINESS PHONE:		404-407-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		191 PEACHTREE STREET N.E.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303-1740

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Glover S Taylor
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001317320

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11312
		FILM NUMBER:		081067050

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		770-955-2200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2500 WINDY RIDGE PARKWAY, SUITE 1600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			2Q
		ZIP:			30339
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-09-09</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000025232</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COUSINS PROPERTIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CUZ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001317320</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Glover S Taylor</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>191 PEACHTREE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 3600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30303</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>2008-09-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1589</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>23.598</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>78112</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By STG Partners LP</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Wife</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F3">Shares held by STG Partners LP.  The reporting person serves as CEO of STG Partners LP's general partner, STG Management Co. LLC.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Shares held by the reporting person's wife.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 809 shares of restricted stock awarded under the Cousins Properties Incorporated (CPI) 1999 Incentive Stock Plan.  These shares will vest 25% per year on each anniversary date of the grant as previously disclosed, and CPI will hold these shares until such shares become vested.  While the shares are being held prior to vesting, the reporting person will have the right to receive all cash dividends and to vote the restricted shares.  All unvested shares will forfeit if the Director's service as a member of the CPI Board of Directors terminates, unless separation is due to death.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock granted in lieu of cash for director's fees under the Cousins Properties Incorporated 1999 Stock Plan</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kristin R. Myers, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-09-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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