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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 E6tU43hw6ALWDjDBUb7JrmKT+8HLucoErUdktys0gTTfihJ/eqNnRMc39VpVxr73
 t27jvs4nrFba+rGs6Gs0+g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000900421-04-000001.txt : 20040105
<SEC-HEADER>0000900421-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040105115528
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000900421-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040105

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAXXAM INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000063814
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM [3334]
		IRS NUMBER:				952078752
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5847 SAN FELIPE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7139757600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5847 SAN FELIPE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCO HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19881115

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCCULLOCH OIL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19800630

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCCULLOCH OIL CORP OF CALIFORNIA
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19691118

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEVIN EZRA G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001243062

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03924
		FILM NUMBER:		04502619

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5847 SAN FELIPE SUITE 2600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7139757600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5847 SAN FELIPE SUITE 2600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2004-01-02</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000063814</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MAXXAM INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MXM</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001243062</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEVIN EZRA G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>KRAMER LEVIN NAFTALIS &amp; FRANKEL LLP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>919 THIRD AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><footnoteId id="F1"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2004-01-02</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>253</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>18.95</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F2"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F2"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyi
ngSecurityShares><value>253</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>6603</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The phantom stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote><footnote id="F2">The phantom stock units were accrued under a deferred fee agreement between MAXXAM Inc. and Mr. Levin and are to be settled in cash in installments beginning as soon as practicable following the date Mr. Levin ceases for any reason to be a member of the board of directors of MAXXAM Inc.  These phantom stock units relate to the fourth calendar quarter of 2003.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Ezra G. Levin</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-05
</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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