<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS OF FASTENAL
COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF, AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED, JUNE 30, 2000 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 28,574,000
<SECURITIES> 0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES> 107,597,000
<ALLOWANCES> 1,988,000
<INVENTORY> 126,128,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 271,577,000
<PP&E> 143,766,000
<DEPRECIATION> 47,247,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 371,552,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,832,000
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 379,000
<OTHER-SE> 319,341,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 371,552,000
<SALES> 364,857,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 364,857,000
<CGS> 175,008,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 175,008,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 2,172,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 66,758,000
<INCOME-TAX> 25,737,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 41,021,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 41,021,000
<EPS-BASIC> 1.08
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.08
<FN>
<F1>Marketable securities in the amount of $143,000 have been classified as
non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of Fastenal Company and
subsidiaries as of June 30, 2000.
</FN>
</TABLE>
