  The influence of a circumbinary (CB) disk on the evolution of cataclysmic
variable (CV) binary systems is investigated. We show that CB mass surface
densities sufficient to influence the evolution rate are plausibly provided by
the outflows observed in CVs, if the net effect of these winds is to deliver
$10^{-4}$--$10^{-3}$ of the mass transfer rate to the CB disk. The torque
exerted by the CB disk provides a positive feedback between mass transfer rate
and CB disk mass which can lead to mass transfer rates of $\sim 10^{-8}
-10^{-7} \mpy$. This mechanism may be responsible for causing the range of
variation of mass transfer rates in CV's. In particular, it may explain rates
inferred for the novalike variables and the supersoft X-ray binary systems
observed near the upper edge of the period gap ($P \sim 3 - 4$ hr), as well as
the spread in mass transfer rates above and below the period gap. Consquences
and the possible observability of such disks are discussed.
