-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000926236-04-000018.txt : 20040206
<SEC-HEADER>0000926236-04-000018.hdr.sgml : 20040206
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040206144728
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000926236-04-000018
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040206

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JONES SR  WALTER  C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001212120

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10862
		FILM NUMBER:		04573690

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

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2001 WALNUT HILL LANE
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	JONES WALT C
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20021227
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001212120</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JONES SR  WALTER  C</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>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP -  Business Development</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13712</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 8,850 shares of common stock acquired pursuant to the Issuer's Stock Purchase Plan in exempt transactions pursuant to Rule 16(b)-3(c) acquired in monthly intervals in fiscal year 2003.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Walt C. Jones, Sr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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