<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-10-20</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000799088</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CARMIKE CINEMAS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CKEC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001375905</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Katari Kevin D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O WATERSHED ASSET MANAGEMENT L.L.C.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE MARITIME PLAZA, SUITE 1525</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Kevin D. Katari is a managing member of WS Partners, L.L.C. (&quot;WSLLC&quot;) and Watershed Asset Management, L.L.C. (&quot;WAMLLC&quot;).  WSLLC, WAMLLC, their senior managing member Meridee A. Moore, and certain affiliated entities (together &quot;Watershed&quot;) are filing a Form 3 on or about the date hereof to report their deemed beneficial ownership of the Issuer's securities (the &quot;Watershed Form 3&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Some of the Watershed entities or persons disclaims beneficial ownership of the Issuer's securities, as reported in the Watershed Form 3. The filing of the Watershed Form 3 and any statements included therein shall not be deemed to be an admission that such entities and individuals are members of such group.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kevin D. Katari</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-10-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
