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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,
 QQDJhCD6y3r+wZVJKv5iKPiG/NOM//7exUx9bbb9xvVQr8Rvun2BPMgfnmk+cZ9h
 Ro/tFC5J393Fd7uE05DE3w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000926236-04-000013.txt : 20040126
<SEC-HEADER>0000926236-04-000013.hdr.sgml : 20040126
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040126160059
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000926236-04-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040122
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040126

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MARQUEZ THOMAS J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001212115

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10862
		FILM NUMBER:		04543486

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CARRINGTON LABORATORIES INC
		STREET 2:		2001 WALNUT HILL LANE
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9725181300

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CARRINGTON LABORATORIES INC /TX/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000718007
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				751435663
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2001 WALNUT HILL LANE
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038
		BUSINESS PHONE:		972-518-1300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 168128
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75016-8128

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AVACARE INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19860521
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000718007</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CARRINGTON LABORATORIES INC /TX/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CARN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001212115</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MAQUEZ THOMAS J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2001 WALNUT HILL LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVING</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75038</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Director Right to Buy Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.98</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.98</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-01-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-01-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>130100</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert W. Schnitzius, POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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