<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 26, 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> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-26-2000
<PERIOD-START> AUG-29-1999
<PERIOD-END> AUG-26-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 43,558,010
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 644,614,067
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 750,672,692
<PP&E> 729,705,421
<DEPRECIATION> 242,120,125
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,243,714,351
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 412,017,119
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 18,363,670
<OTHER-SE> 779,600,809
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,243,714,351
<SALES> 3,132,639,132
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,132,639,132
<CGS> 2,076,916,042
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,861,727,685
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 270,911,447
<INCOME-TAX> 98,894,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 172,017,247
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 172,017,247
<EPS-BASIC> 1.00
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.00
</TABLE>