<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAY 27, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000034408
<NAME> FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-26-2000
<PERIOD-START> AUG-29-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAY-27-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 81,524,983
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 574,338,550
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 716,700,709
<PP&E> 680,241,374
<DEPRECIATION> 229,533,272
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,174,650,638
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 367,434,828
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 18,361,548
<OTHER-SE> 759,374,909
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,174,650,638
<SALES> 2,342,796,717
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,342,796,717
<CGS> 1,538,887,161
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,119,636,462
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 223,160,255
<INCOME-TAX> 81,465,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 141,695,055
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 141,695,055
<EPS-BASIC> .82
<EPS-DILUTED> .82
</TABLE>