FORM 10-Q

                           UNITED STATES
                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                      Washington, D.C. 20549


        Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

               For the Quarter ended October 1, 2003

                    Commission File No. 0-10943


                 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        South Carolina                No. 57-0657895
 (State or other jurisdiction        (I.R.S. Employer
      of incorporation)            Identification No.)


                   405 Lancaster Avenue (29650)
                           P. O. Box 100
                    Greer, South Carolina 29652
                  (Address of principal executive
                   offices, including zip code)

                           864-879-1000
       (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

  --------------------------------------------------------------
                             ---------

Indicate  by check mark whether the registrant (1)  has  filed
all  reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or  15(d)  of
the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the  preceding  12
months  (or  for  such shorter period that the registrant  was
required  to file such reports), and (2) has been  subject  to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
     Yes     X                               No ________

Indicate   by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant   is   an
accelerated  filer (as defined in Rule12b-2 of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934).
     Yes     X                               No ________

At  October  1, 2003, there were 42,280,000 shares outstanding
of the registrant's common stock, par value $1.00 per share.


                 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.

                       TABLE OF CONTENTS                 PAGE NO.


PART I ---     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.        Financial Statements:
                                                        
       Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) -
       Quarters Ended October 1, 2003 and October 2, 2002     3

       Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) -
       Nine Months Ended October 1, 2003 and October 2, 2002  4

       Consolidated Balance Sheets -
       October 1, 2003 (Unaudited) and January 1, 2003        5

       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) -
       Nine Months Ended October 1, 2003 and October 2, 2002  6

       Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity
       (Unaudited) -
       Nine Months Ended October 1, 2003                      7

       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
                                                            8 - 10

Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
       Condition
       and Results of Operations                           11 - 14

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
       Risk                                                   14

Item 4.Controls and Procedures                                15

Forward-Looking Information                                   15

PART II --  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings                                 16

Item 5.     Other Information                                 16

Item 6.     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                  16

SIGNATURES                                                    17


                  PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

                 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                            (Unaudited)

               (In thousands, except per share data)

                                         Quarter Ended
                                    October 1,     October 2,
                                       2003           2002
                                               
Restaurant sales                     $205,686        194,115

Cost of sales:
 Food and beverage                     73,185         69,152
 Payroll and benefits                  64,899         61,636
 Depreciation                           8,049          7,586
 Other restaurant expenses             29,820         26,551
   Total cost of sales                175,953        164,925

General and administrative expenses    10,429          9,650
Interest expense                        2,764          2,297
Revenues from franchised restaurants    (358)          (399)
Other income, net                       (339)          (427)
Earnings before income taxes           17,237         18,069
Income taxes                            6,240          6,542

   Net earnings                      $ 10,997         11,527

Net earnings per common share:
 Basic                               $    .26            .27
 Diluted                                  .25            .26

Weighted-average shares:
 Basic                                 42,210         43,264
 Diluted                               43,881         44,778


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                            (Unaudited)

               (In thousands, except per share data)

                                       Nine Months Ended
                                    October 1,     October 2,
                                       2003           2002
                                               
Restaurant sales                     $607,382        588,712

Cost of sales:
 Food and beverage                    214,991        211,354
 Payroll and benefits                 189,456        181,263
 Depreciation                          24,046         22,289
 Other restaurant expenses             85,124         78,579
   Total cost of sales                513,617        493,485

General and administrative expenses    30,542         28,437
Interest expense                        7,492          6,898
Revenues from franchised restaurants  (1,165)        (1,294)
Other income, net                     (1,763)        (2,098)
Earnings before income taxes           58,659         63,284
Income taxes                           21,235         22,910

   Net earnings                      $ 37,424         40,374

Net earnings per common share:
 Basic                               $    .89            .92
 Diluted                                  .86            .88

Weighted-average shares:
 Basic                                 42,279         43,944
 Diluted                               43,752         45,964


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.
                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          (In thousands)

                                    October 1,     January 1,
                                       2003           2003
ASSETS                             (Unaudited)
Current assets:
                                               
 Cash and cash equivalents           $ 20,144          2,654
 Receivables                            4,916          5,010
 Inventories                            5,698          5,119
 Prepaid expenses                       1,604          1,266
 Income taxes receivable                  -            2,739
 Deferred income taxes                  4,676          4,676
   Total current assets                37,038         21,464
Property and equipment:
 Land and improvements                152,989        144,859
 Buildings                            443,104        413,700
 Equipment                            248,758        231,244
 Construction in progress              22,699         29,245
                                      867,550        819,048
 Less accumulated depreciation        257,228        234,627
   Net property and equipment         610,322        584,421
Other assets                            7,885          7,194
                                     $655,245        613,079

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable                       8,466         10,896
 Income taxes payable                   6,167            -
 Accrued liabilities                   41,352         35,748
   Total current liabilities           55,985         46,644
Long-term debt                        202,000        202,000
Deferred income taxes                  39,588         39,375
Other long-term liabilities             5,293          4,579
   Total liabilities                  302,866        292,598

Shareholders' equity:
 Common stock of $1.00 par value;
 authorized 100,000,000 shares;
 issued 42,280,000 in 2003 and
 42,745,000 shares in 2002             42,280         42,745
 Additional paid-in capital             1,326          2,066
 Retained earnings                    308,773        275,670
   Total shareholders' equity         352,379        320,481
Commitments and contingencies
                                     $655,245        613,079


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (Unaudited)

                          (In thousands)

                                       Nine Months Ended
                                    October 1,     October 2,
                                       2003           2002
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                                
 Net earnings                        $ 37,424         40,374
 Adjustments to reconcile net
  earnings to net cash provided by
  operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization       25,538         23,363
     Gain on sale of property and
       equipment                         (110)           (10)
     Tax benefit from exercise of
       stock options                      631          1,090
   Deferred income taxes                  213            229
   Decrease (increase) in:
     Receivables                           94            223
     Inventories                         (579)            45
     Prepaid expenses                    (338)          (760)
     Income taxes receivable            2,739             -
     Other assets                        (893)          (599)
   Increase (decrease) in:
     Accounts payable                  (2,430)         2,421
     Income taxes payable               6,167          3,049
     Accrued liabilities                5,604           (609)
     Other long-term liabilities          714            751
Net cash provided by operating
   activities                          74,774         69,567

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from sale of property and
    equipment                           5,845          5,373
 Capital expenditures                 (56,814)       (56,607)
Net cash used in investing activities (50,969)       (51,234)

Cash flows from financing activities:
 Net proceeds from (repayment of)
  revolving credit facility          (100,000)        24,000
 Proceeds from issuance of
  senior notes                        100,000           -
 Debt issuance costs                     (158)          -
 Proceeds from stock options exercised  1,684          2,868
 Purchases of common stock             (7,841)       (45,980)
Net cash used in financing activities  (6,315)       (19,112)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and
  cash equivalents                     17,490           (779)

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning
  of period                             2,654         13,323

Cash and cash equivalents - end
  of period                          $ 20,144         12,544

Supplemental disclosures
Cash paid during the period for:
 Interest, net of amount capitalized $  8,870          8,441
 Income taxes                          12,084         19,089


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                            (Unaudited)

                          (In thousands)

             For the Nine Months ended October 1, 2003

                        $1 Par Value  Additional
                             Common   Paid-In   Retained
                             Stock    Capital   Earnings   Total
                                             
Balances at January 1, 2003  $42,745   2,066   275,670   320,481

  Net earnings                  -       -       37,424    37,424
  Issuance of common stock
   under stock option plans      291   1,393      -        1,684
  Tax benefit from exercise of
   non-qualified stock options  -        631      -          631
  Purchases of common stock     (756) (2,764)   (4,321)   (7,841)

Balances at October 1, 2003  $42,280   1,326   308,773   352,379


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          October 1, 2003
                            (Unaudited)

Note 1.  Description of Business

Ryan's  Family Steak Houses, Inc. operates a restaurant  chain
consisting  of 332 Company-owned and 19 franchised restaurants
located  principally  in the southern  and  midwestern  United
States.   Its  restaurants operate under the  Ryan's  or  Fire
Mountain brand names, but are viewed as a single business unit
for management and reporting purposes.  The Company, organized
in 1977, opened its first restaurant in 1978 and completed its
initial public offering in 1982.  The Company does not operate
or franchise any international units.

Note 2.  Basis of Presentation

The  consolidated financial statements include  the  financial
statements of Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. and its wholly-
owned    subsidiaries.    All   intercompany   balances    and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The  accompanying unaudited consolidated financial  statements
have  been  prepared in accordance with accounting  principles
generally accepted in the United States of America for interim
financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and do
not  include all of the information and footnotes required  by
accounting principles generally accepted in the United  States
of  America for complete financial statements.  In the opinion
of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals)  considered necessary for a fair  presentation  have
been  included.  Consolidated operating results for  the  nine
months ended October 1, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of
the  results  that may be expected for the fiscal year  ending
December  31,  2003.  For further information,  refer  to  the
consolidated  financial statements and footnotes  included  in
the  Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal  year
ended January 1, 2003.

Note 3.  Relevant New Accounting Pronouncements

The  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  ("FASB")  issued
Statement   of   Accounting  Standards   ("SFAS")   No.   143,
"Accounting  for Asset Retirement Obligations" in  June  2001.
SFAS  143  applies  to legal obligations associated  with  the
retirement  of  certain  tangible  long-lived  assets.    This
statement  is effective for fiscal years beginning after  June
15, 2002.  Accordingly, the Company adopted this statement  on
January  2,  2003.  The adoption of SFAS 143  has  not  had  a
material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In  July  2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting  for
Obligations   Associated  with  Disposal  Activities,"   which
addresses   financial  reporting  and  accounting  for   costs
associated  with  exit  or disposal activities  and  nullifies
Emerging  Issues  Task Force ("EITF") Issue  94-3,  "Liability
Recognition  for  Certain  Employee Termination  Benefits  and
Other  Costs  to  Exit  an Activity (including  Certain  Costs
Incurred  in  a  Restructuring)."  SFAS 146  requires  that  a
liability be recognized for such costs only when the liability
is incurred, which is in contrast to EITF 94-3, which requires
the  recognition of a liability upon the commitment to an exit
plan.   The  statement  is  effective  for  exit  or  disposal
activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002 and  has
not materially affected the Company's financial statements.

In  December  2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148,  "Accounting
for  Stock-Based  Compensation - Transition  and  Disclosure,"
which  amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No.  123  to
require  prominent  disclosures in  both  annual  and  interim
financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-
based employee compensation and the effect of the method  used
on  reported results.  The Company has adopted the  disclosure
provision of this statement (see
Note 4).

In  November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45 ("FIN
45"), "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements  for
Guarantees,  Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness  of
Others."   FIN  45  addresses the requirements  for  financial
statement  disclosures  to be made by a  guarantor  about  its
obligations  under  certain guarantees and  clarifies  that  a
guarantor is required to recognize a liability upon issuing  a
guarantee  for the fair value of the obligation.  The  Company
will  apply FIN 45 to any guarantees issued or modified  after
December  31,  2002.   The impact to the  Company's  financial
results  has  been immaterial.  The Company  had  no  material
guarantees at October 1, 2003.

In  January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46  ("FIN
46"),   "Consolidation  of  Variable  Interest  Entities,   an
Interpretation of ARB No. 51."  This interpretation  addresses
the consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest
entities,  as  defined in the interpretation, and  sets  forth
additional  disclosure  regarding  such  interests.   FIN   46
applies immediately to variable interest entities created,  or
in  which  the Company obtains an interest, after January  31,
2003,  and becomes effective as of December 31, 2003  for  all
variable interest entities held by the Company prior  to  that
date.   The  Company  is currently evaluating  the  impact  of
adopting  of FIN 46.  However, the Company does not expect  it
will  have  a  material  effect on the Company's  consolidated
financial statements.

On May 15, 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for
Certain  Financial  Instruments with Characteristics  of  Both
Liabilities  and Equity."  The Statement requires  issuers  to
classify  as  liabilities (or assets  in  some  circumstances)
three  classes  of  freestanding  financial  instruments  that
embody  obligations for the issuer.  Generally, the  Statement
is   effective  for  financial  instruments  entered  into  or
modified after May 31, 2003 and is otherwise effective at  the
beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15,
2003.  The Company adopted the provisions of the Statement  on
July  3,  2003.   The  Company  did  not  have  any  financial
instruments  within the scope of SFAS 150 at  either  July  2,
2003 or October 1, 2003 and therefore does not anticipate that
SFAS  150  will  have  a material effect on  its  consolidated
financial statements.

Note 4. Stock Options

As  allowed  by  SFAS  No.  123, "Accounting  for  Stock-Based
Compensation," the Company accounts for its stock option plans
in   accordance   with  the  intrinsic  value  provisions   of
Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 25,  "Accounting  for
Stock  Issued to Employees," and related interpretations.   As
such,  compensation expense is recorded on the date  of  grant
only  if  the  current  market price of the  underlying  stock
exceeds  the  exercise price.  No compensation cost  has  been
recognized  for  stock-based compensation in consolidated  net
earnings  for  the  periods presented as all  options  granted
under  the  Company's stock option plans had  exercise  prices
equal  to  the market value of the underlying common stock  on
the   date   of   the  grant.   Had  the  Company   determined
compensation   cost  based  on  the  fair  value   recognition
provisions  of  SFAS No. 123, the Company's net  earnings  and
earnings  per share would have been reduced to the  pro  forma
amounts indicated in the following table:


                     Quarter Ended        Nine Months Ended
(In  thousands,
 except earnings
 per share)
                                          
                     October 1, October 2, October 1, October 2,
                        2003       2002       2003       2002

Net earnings,
 as reported         $10,997    11,527     37,424     40,374
Less total stock-based
 compensation expense
 determined under fair
 value based method,
 net of related
 tax effects            (229)     (368)      (783)    (1,104)

Pro forma net
  earnings           $10,768    11,159     36,641     39,270
Earnings per share
 Basic:
  As reported            .26       .27        .89        .92
  Pro forma              .26       .26        .87        .89
 Diluted:
  As reported            .25       .26        .86        .88
  Pro forma              .25       .25        .84        .85


Note 5.  Earnings per Share

Basic  earnings  per share ("EPS") excludes  dilution  and  is
computed  by  dividing income available to common shareholders
by  the  weighted-average number of common shares  outstanding
for the period.  Diluted EPS includes common stock equivalents
that arise from the hypothetical exercise of outstanding stock
options  using the treasury stock method.  In order to prevent
antidilution,  outstanding stock options  to  purchase  40,500
shares of common stock at both October 1, 2003 and October  2,
2002 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS.

Note 6.  Legal Contingencies

From  time  to time, the Company is involved in various  legal
claims  and  litigation  arising  in  the  normal  course   of
business.   Based on currently-known legal actions, management
believes that, as a result of its legal defenses and insurance
arrangements,  none  of these actions, if  decided  adversely,
would  have  a  material effect on the Company's  business  or
financial condition, taken as a whole.
In  November  2002, a lawsuit was filed in the  United  States
District   Court,  Middle  District  of  Tennessee,  Nashville
Division,  on  behalf  of  three plaintiffs  alleging  various
violations by Ryan's of the Fair Labor Standards Act of  1938.
The plaintiffs' attorneys are seeking collective-action status
on  this  complaint.   In October 2003,  the  presiding  judge
denied  Ryan's  request to enforce the arbitration  agreements
signed by the plaintiffs and also ordered the Company to  turn
over  certain employee addresses to the plaintiffs' attorneys.
The  Company has appealed this decision.  Due to the  evolving
nature  of  this case, the potential financial impact  to  the
Company's financial results cannot be estimated at this  time.
Accordingly, no accrual for a loss contingency has  been  made
in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.


Item 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
           FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Quarter ended October 1, 2003 versus October 2, 2002

Restaurant sales during the third quarter of 2003 increased by
6.0%  over  the  comparable quarter  of  2002.   Average  unit
growth,  based  on  the  average  number  of  restaurants   in
operation,  amounted to 3.2% during the quarter.  The  Company
owned and operated 332 restaurants at October 1, 2003 and  320
restaurants  at October 2, 2002.  Average unit sales  ("AUS"),
or  average  weekly  sales volume per  unit,  for  all  stores
(including newly opened restaurants) increased by 2.6%  during
the third quarter of 2003.  Same-store sales increased by 1.2%
during  the  quarter  compared to a 1.6% decrease  during  the
third  quarter  of  2002.  The Company  calculates  same-store
sales  using AUS in units that have been open for at least  18
months  and  operating  during  comparable  weeks  during  the
current   and  prior  years.   Management  believes  that   an
improving  retail  environment, aided by the  Company's  local
marketing  program, favorably affected sales during the  third
quarter  of  2003.   The local marketing  program,  which  was
implemented  in  April  2003,  trains  and  encourages   store
managers  to  get  the  Ryan's  name  in  front  of  potential
customers  through the use of both external merchandising  and
community marketing.  Based on the positive feedback  received
from  store managers, management believes that over time  this
program  will  continue to favorably impact restaurant  sales.
Also,  the  Company is continuing its remodeling program  that
features  the  display  cooking  format  (see  "Liquidity  and
Capital Resources") and a new exterior lodge-look.  Management
has  been  encouraged by the sales results  at  the  remodeled
stores.   However, at October 1, 2003, only 22 restaurants  in
the  same-store  sales base were part of  the  new  remodeling
program,  and their impact on overall sales was limited.   The
Company plans to remodel an additional five stores during  the
fourth   quarter   of  2003.   Each  store   is   closed   for
approximately four to six weeks during the remodeling process.

Cost  of  sales  includes food and beverage, payroll,  payroll
taxes    and   employee   benefits,   depreciation,   repairs,
maintenance,  utilities,  supplies,  advertising,   insurance,
property  taxes  and  licenses at  Company-owned  restaurants.
Such  costs, as a percentage of sales, were 85.5%  during  the
third  quarter  of  2003 compared to 85.0%  during  the  third
quarter of 2002.  Food and beverage costs amounted to 35.6% of
sales  for  both 2003 and 2002.  However, due to  the  current
Canadian  beef  embargo,  higher-than-normal  beef  costs  are
projected  during at least the fourth quarter of  2003,  which
could  result in food costs for the fourth quarter of 2003  to
exceed  comparable 2002 levels by approximately 1.0% of sales.
Payroll and benefits decreased to 31.6% of sales in 2003  from
31.8%  of sales in 2002 due principally to lower hourly  labor
and  medical  costs.   All other restaurant  costs,  including
depreciation, increased to 18.3% of sales in 2003  from  17.6%
of  sales  in  2002.  This increase resulted principally  from
higher  natural gas costs, higher store opening costs for  new
and  remodeled stores and higher store-level advertising costs
associated with the local marketing program.  Based  on  these
factors,  the  Company's  margins  at  the  restaurant   level
decreased  by  0.5% of sales to 14.5% of sales  in  2003  from
15.0% of sales in 2002.

General and administrative expenses increased to 5.1% of sales
in  2003 from 5.0% of sales in 2002 due principally to  higher
store management performance bonuses.

Interest  expense  for  the third quarter  of  2003  and  2002
amounted  to  1.3%  and  1.2%  of  sales,  respectively.   The
effective  average interest rate increased to 5.8% during  the
third quarter of 2003 from 5.4% in 2002, resulting principally
from  the  refinancing on July 25, 2003  of  $100  million  of
variable-rate debt with 4.65% fixed-rate senior notes due July
25, 2013.

An  effective income tax rate of 36.2% was used for the  third
quarters of both 2003 and 2002.

Net  earnings for the third quarter amounted to $11.0  million
in  2003  compared to $11.5 million in 2002.  Weighted-average
shares (diluted) decreased 2.0% resulting principally from the
Company's stock repurchase program (see "Liquidity and Capital
Resources").   Accordingly, earnings per share (diluted)  were
25 cents for 2003 and 26 cents for 2002.

Nine months ended October 1, 2003 versus October 2, 2002

For  the  nine months ended October 1, 2003, restaurant  sales
were  up  3.2% compared to the same period in 2002.  Principal
factors  affecting  2003 sales growth include  the  2.9%  unit
growth of Company-owned restaurants and a 0.1% increase in all-
store AUS.  Same-store sales for the first nine months of 2003
decreased by 1.2%.

Cost of sales, as detailed above, for the first nine months of
2003   and  2002  amounted  to  84.6%  and  83.8%  of   sales,
respectively.  Food and beverage costs decreased  by  0.5%  of
sales  due  to  lower  poultry and seafood  prices,  partially
offset  by higher soybean oil product and beef costs.  Payroll
and  benefits increased by 0.4% of sales due to higher manager
pay  and  unemployment  taxes.  All  other  restaurant  costs,
including  depreciation, increased by 0.9%  of  sales  due  to
higher  depreciation, store opening, advertising,  maintenance
and  utility  costs, partially offset by lower  store  closing
costs.   Based on these factors, the Company's margins at  the
restaurant level amounted to 15.4% of sales for the first nine
months of 2003 compared to 16.2% of sales in 2002.

General and administrative expenses increased by 0.2% of sales
for  the  first nine months of 2003 due principally to  higher
store  manager  performance  bonuses  and  additional  manager
trainee and training team salaries.

An  effective income tax rate of 36.2% was used for the  first
nine months of both 2003 and 2002.

Net  earnings  for the first nine months of 2003  amounted  to
$37.4  million  compared to $40.4 million in 2002.   Weighted-
average  shares  (diluted) decreased 4.8% resulting  from  the
Company's stock repurchase program (see "Liquidity and Capital
Resources").    Accordingly,  earnings  per  share   (diluted)
amounted to 86 cents in 2003 compared to 88 cents in 2002.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's restaurant sales are primarily derived from cash
and  credit  card transactions.  Inventories are purchased  on
credit  and are rapidly converted to cash, generally prior  to
the  payment of the related vendors' invoices.  Therefore, the
Company   does   not  maintain  significant   receivables   or
inventories,  and  other  working  capital  requirements   for
operations  are not significant.  Cash balances in  excess  of
immediate disbursement requirements are typically used for non-
current items, such as capital expenditures, repayment of long-
term  debt  or  stock repurchases.  Accordingly,  the  Company
generally  operates with a working capital deficit,  which  is
managed  through  the utilization of a predictable  cash  flow
from  restaurant sales and available credit under a  revolving
credit facility.

At  October  1,  2003, the Company's working  capital  deficit
amounted to $18.9 million compared to a $25.2 million  deficit
at  January  1,  2003.   Management does  not  anticipate  any
adverse  effects from the current working capital deficit  due
to  (i)  cash  flow provided by operations, which amounted  to
$74.8  million  for the first nine months of  2003  and  $82.4
million  for  the  year  ended  January  1,  2003,  and   (ii)
approximately $63 million in funds available under a revolving
credit facility.

Total  capital expenditures for the first nine months of  2003
amounted  to $56.8 million. The Company opened 13  and  closed
five  restaurants during the first nine months of 2003.   This
activity  included  three  openings  and  three  closings  for
relocation  purposes.  Management defines a  relocation  as  a
restaurant  opened  within six months  after  closing  another
restaurant   in  the  same  marketing  area.    A   relocation
represents a redeployment of assets within a market.  For  the
remainder of 2003, the Company plans to build and open two new
restaurants.   All  new  restaurants  open  with  the  display
cooking and lodge-look format.  This format was introduced  in
2000 and involves a glass-enclosed grill and cooking area that
extends  into  the  dining  room and  an  exterior  remodeling
package  that gives the building a new lodge-look.  A  variety
of  meats are grilled daily and available to customers as part
of  the buffet price.  Customers go the grill and can get hot,
cooked-to-order steak, chicken or other grilled  items  placed
directly   from  the  grill  onto  their  plates.   Management
believes   that   the   exterior  package  favorably   impacts
restaurant  sales  by  signaling to potential  customers  that
changes  have  taken place inside the restaurant.   Management
also  intends to convert approximately five restaurants during
the  fourth quarter of 2003 to the display cooking, lodge-look
format.   In  certain markets, restaurants  with  the  display
cooking,  lodge-look  format, whether new  or  remodeled,  are
given the "Fire Mountain" brand name in order to differentiate
them  from the older Ryan's and other family steakhouses  that
have   a   more   traditional  format.   Total  2003   capital
expenditures  are estimated at $74 million.   The  Company  is
currently  concentrating its efforts on  Company-owned  Ryan's
restaurants  and  is  not  actively  pursuing  any  additional
franchised locations, either domestically or internationally.

The Company began a stock repurchase program in March 1996 and
is  currently authorized to repurchase up to 55 million shares
of   the   Company's  common  stock  through  December   2004.
Repurchases  may be made from time to time on the open  market
or  in  privately  negotiated transactions in accordance  with
applicable   securities  regulations,  depending   on   market
conditions, share price and other factors.  During  the  first
nine  months of 2003, the Company purchased 756,300 shares  at
an  aggregate cost of $7.8 million.  Through October 1,  2003,
approximately  42.4  million shares, or 53%  of  total  shares
available at the beginning of the repurchase program, had been
purchased at an aggregate cost of $304.0 million.  The Company
has  purchased an additional 570,500 shares since  October  1,
2003  at  an  aggregate  cost  of  $7.9  million.   Management
currently  plans to additionally purchase up to  approximately
$9  million of its common stock during the remainder  of  2003
if,  in  management's  opinion,  the  share  price  is  at  an
attractive  level,  subject to the continued  availability  of
capital,  the  limitations imposed  by  the  Company's  credit
agreements,  applicable securities regulations and  the  other
factors described in "Forward-Looking Information."

At  October 1, 2003, the Company's outstanding debt  consisted
of  $75  million of 9.02% senior notes, $100 million of  4.65%
senior  notes and a $100 million revolving credit facility  of
which  $27  million was outstanding at that  date.   As  noted
above, after allowances for letters of credit and other items,
there  were approximately $63 million in funds available under
the  revolving credit facility.  The Company's ability to draw
on   these  funds  may  be  limited  by  restrictions  in  the
agreements  governing both the senior notes and the  revolving
credit  facility.   Management believes  that,  based  on  its
current   plans,  these  restrictions  will  not  impair   the
Company's operations during 2003 or 2004.

Management  believes  that its current  capital  structure  is
sufficient  to meet its 2003 and 2004 cash requirements.   The
Company has entered into interest rate hedging transactions in
the  past,  and  although  no such  agreements  are  currently
outstanding,  management  intends to continue  monitoring  the
interest rate environment and may enter into such transactions
in the future if deemed advantageous.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Critical   accounting   policies  are  those   policies   that
significantly  impact the Company's financial  statements  and
involve difficult or subjective estimates of future events  by
management.  Management's estimates could differ significantly
from   actual   results,   leading  to  possible   significant
adjustments  to  future  financial  results.   The   following
policies  are  considered by management to  involve  estimates
that most critically impact reported financial results.

Asset Lives  Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less
accumulated depreciation.  Buildings and land improvements are
depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from 25 to  39
years,  and  equipment  is depreciated over  estimated  useful
lives  ranging from 3 to 20 years.  Depreciation  expense  for
financial statement purposes is calculated using the straight-
line  method.   Management is responsible for  estimating  the
initial  useful lives and any revisions thereafter  and  bases
its  estimates principally on historical usage patterns of the
assets.   Material  differences  in  the  amount  of  reported
depreciation could result if different assumptions were used.

Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets  Long-lived  assets,  which
consist principally of restaurant properties, are reviewed for
impairment   whenever  events  or  changes  in   circumstances
indicate  that  the carrying amount of an  asset  may  not  be
recoverable.   For  restaurants  that  will  continue  to   be
operated,  the carrying amount is compared to the undiscounted
future  cash  flows, including proceeds from future  disposal,
over  the  remaining  useful  life  of  the  restaurant.   The
estimate of future cash flows is based on management's  review
of  historical and current sales and cost trends of  both  the
subject  and  similar restaurants.  The estimate  of  proceeds
from  future  disposal is based on management's  knowledge  of
current  and planned development near the restaurant site  and
on  current  market  transactions.   If  the  carrying  amount
exceeds  the  sum of the undiscounted future cash  flows,  the
carrying  value  is reduced to the restaurant's  current  fair
value.   If  the decision has been made to close  and  sell  a
restaurant, the carrying value of that restaurant  is  reduced
to  its current fair value less costs to sell and is no longer
depreciated.

Self-Insurance   Liabilities   The  Company   self-insures   a
significant  portion  of  expected losses  from  its  workers'
compensation,  general  liability  and  team  member   medical
programs.   For  workers' compensation and  general  liability
claims,  individual amounts in excess of $250,000 are  covered
by  insurance  purchased by the Company.  Accrued  liabilities
are  recorded  for  the  estimated,  undiscounted  future  net
payments,  or  ultimate costs, to settle both reported  claims
and  claims  that have been incurred but not reported.   On  a
quarterly  basis, management reviews claim values as estimated
by a third-party claims administrator ("TPA") and then adjusts
these values for estimated future increases in order to record
ultimate  costs.   Both current and prior  years'  claims  are
reviewed as estimated claim values are frequently adjusted  by
the TPA as new information, such as updated medical reports or
settlements, is received.  Management reviews the relationship
between   historical  claim  estimates  and  payment  history,
overall  number of accidents and historical claims  experience
in  order to make an ultimate cost estimate.  For team  member
medical  claims, individual amounts in excess of $300,000  are
covered  by insurance purchased by the Company.  Accruals  are
based  on  management's review of historical claim experience.
Unexpected  changes in any of these factors  could  result  in
costs that are materially different than initially reported.

IMPACT OF INFLATION

The  Company's  operating  costs  that  may  be  affected   by
inflation  consist  principally of food, payroll  and  utility
costs.  A significant number of the Company's restaurant  team
members  are paid at the Federal minimum wage and accordingly,
legislated  changes to the minimum wage affect  the  Company's
payroll  costs.  Although no minimum wage increases have  been
signed into law, legislation proposing to increase the minimum
wage  by  $1.50  to $6.65 per hour over a 14-month  period  is
currently  under  consideration by  the  U.S.  Congress.   The
Company  is  typically able to increase menu prices  to  cover
most of the payroll rate increases.

The  Company considers its current price structure to be  very
competitive.  This factor, among others, is considered by  the
Company  when  passing  cost increases on  to  its  customers.
Annual  menu price increases during the last five  years  have
generally ranged from 2% to 4%.


Item 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
                     ABOUT MARKET RISK

The  Company's  exposure to market risk relates  primarily  to
changes in interest rates.  Foreign currencies are not used in
the   Company's  operations,  and  approximately  90%  of  the
products  used  in  the preparation of food at  the  Company's
restaurants are not under purchase contract for more than  one
year in advance.

The  Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its variable-
rate  debt,  which  is composed entirely of  outstanding  debt
under  the Company's revolving credit facility (see "Liquidity
and  Capital Resources").  At October 1, 2003, there  was  $27
million  in  outstanding debt under this  facility.   Interest
rates  for the facility generally change in response to LIBOR.
Management  estimates that a one-percent  change  in  interest
rates throughout the quarter ended October 1, 2003 would  have
impacted  interest expense by approximately  $58,000  and  net
earnings by $37,000.

While  the  Company has entered into interest rate  derivative
agreements   in  the  past,  there  were  no  such  agreements
outstanding  during the three months ended  October  1,  2003.
The   Company   does  not  enter  into  financial   instrument
agreements for trading or speculative purposes.


Item 4.           CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As  required by Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) of the Securities
Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended,  the  Company's   Chief
Executive  Officer and Chief Financial Officer  have  reviewed
and evaluated the Company's disclosure controls and procedures
(as  defined  in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the  Exchange
Act)  as of the end of the period covered by this report,  and
have  concluded  that  the Company's disclosure  controls  and
procedures   were  adequate  and  effective  to  ensure   that
information  required to be disclosed is recorded,  processed,
summarized, and reported in a timely manner.

                    FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

In  accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the  Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company cautions
that  the  statements in this quarterly report  and  elsewhere
that  are forward-looking involve risks and uncertainties that
may  impact  the Company's actual results of operations.   All
statements  other  than  statements of  historical  fact  that
address  activities, events or developments that  the  Company
expects  or  anticipates  will or may  occur  in  the  future,
including  such  things as deadlines for completing  projects,
expected  financial  results, expected regulatory  environment
and  other such matters, are forward-looking statements.   The
words    "estimates",   "plans",   "anticipates",   "expects",
"intends", "believes" and similar expressions are intended  to
identify   forward-looking  statements.   All  forward-looking
information  reflects  the Company's best  judgment  based  on
current information.  However, there can be no assurance  that
other   factors   will  not  affect  the  accuracy   of   such
information.   While  it  is  not  possible  to  identify  all
factors,  the following could cause actual results  to  differ
materially  from  expectations:  general  economic  conditions
including    consumer    confidence    levels;    competition;
developments affecting the public's perception of buffet-style
restaurants;  real estate availability; food and labor  supply
costs;  food  and  labor  availability; weather  fluctuations;
interest rate fluctuations; stock market conditions; political
environment (including acts of terrorism and wars); and  other
risks and factors described from time to time in the Company's
reports  filed  with  the Securities and Exchange  Commission,
including  the Company's annual report on Form  10-K  for  the
fiscal year ended January 1, 2003.  The ability of the Company
to  open  new  restaurants depends upon a number  of  factors,
including its ability to find suitable locations and negotiate
acceptable  land acquisition and construction  contracts,  its
ability to attract and retain sufficient numbers of restaurant
managers  and team members and the availability of  reasonably
priced  capital.  The extent of the Company's stock repurchase
program  during  2003  and  future  years  depends  upon   the
financial  performance  of  the  Company's  restaurants,   the
investment required to open new restaurants, share price,  the
availability  of  reasonably  priced  capital,  the  financial
covenants  contained  in the Company's  loan  agreements  that
govern the senior notes and the revolving credit facility, and
the maximum debt and share repurchase levels authorized by the
Company's Board of Directors.

                    PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings.

       In  November  2002, a lawsuit was filed in  the  United
       States  District Court, Middle District  of  Tennessee,
       Nashville  Division,  on  behalf  of  three  plaintiffs
       alleging  various  violations by  Ryan's  of  the  Fair
       Labor   Standards   Act  of  1938.    The   plaintiffs'
       attorneys are seeking collective-action status on  this
       complaint.   In  October  2003,  the  presiding   judge
       denied   Ryan's  request  to  enforce  the  arbitration
       agreements  signed by the plaintiffs and  also  ordered
       the Company to turn over certain employee addresses  to
       the  plaintiffs' attorneys.  The Company  has  appealed
       this  decision.   Due to the evolving  nature  of  this
       case,  the  potential financial impact to the Company's
       financial  results cannot be estimated  at  this  time.
       Accordingly,  no  accrual for a  loss  contingency  has
       been  made  in the accompanying consolidated  financial
       statements.

Item 5.   Other Information.

       Consistent  with  Section 10A(i)(2) of  the  Securities
       Exchange  Act  of  1934,  the Company  is  required  to
       disclose all non-audit services approved in the  second
       quarter of 2003 by the Company's Audit Committee to  be
       performed by KPMG LLP, the Company's external  auditor.
       During  the  quarterly period covered by  this  filing,
       the  Audit Committee did not approve the engagement  of
       KPMG  LLP for any non-audit services, and KPMG LLP  did
       not perform any such services.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

       (a)  Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601
              of Regulation S-K):

          Exhibit # Description
          31.1    Section 302 Certification of Chief
                  Executive Officer

          31.2    Section 302 Certification of Chief
                  Financial Officer

          32.1    Section 906 Certification of Chief
                  Executive Officer

          31.2    Section 906 Certification of Chief
                  Financial Officer

       (b)  Reports on Form 8-K:

          On July 23, 2003, the Company filed a report on Form
          8-K  regarding  the press release on  the  Company's
          financial results as of and for the quarter and  six
          months ended July 2, 2003.

          On  October 22, 2003, the Company filed a report  on
          Form   8-K  regarding  the  press  release  on   the
          Company's  financial  results  as  of  and  for  the
          quarter and nine months ended October 1, 2003.
                            SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to  be
signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned  thereunto  duly
authorized.

                 RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.
                           (Registrant)



November 17, 2003        /s/Charles D. Way
                         Charles D. Way
                         Chairman, President and
                         Chief Executive Officer



November 17, 2003        /s/Fred T. Grant, Jr.
                         Fred T. Grant, Jr.
                         Senior Vice President-Finance and
                         Treasurer and Assistant Secretary



November 17, 2003        /s/Richard D. Sieradzki
                         Richard D. Sieradzki
                         Vice President-Accounting and
                         Corporate Controller