SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 FORM 10-K

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 2003
                                    or
[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ____ TO ____

Commission File Number 0-10943

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

             South Carolina                       57-0657895
    (State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. employer
     incorporation or organization)          identification no.)

405 Lancaster Avenue, Greer, South Carolina         29650
(Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip code)

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                  None                               None
            (Title of class)                (Name of each exchange
                                             on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                       Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value
                             (Title of class)

   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all  reports
required to be filed by Section 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant  to
Item  405  of  Regulation  S-K is not contained herein,  and  will  not  be
contained,  to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive  proxy
or  information statements incorporated by reference in Part  III  of  this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]

   Indicate  by  check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated  filer
(as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2.  Yes [ X ]  No [    ]

   The  aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates
(shareholders  holding  less  than 20% of  the  outstanding  common  stock,
excluding  directors and officers), computed by reference  to  the  average
high and low prices of such stock, as of July 3, 2002, was $558,016,000.

   The  number  of  shares  outstanding of the registrant's  Common  Stock,
$1.00 Par Value, was 42,284,000 at March 5, 2003.

                     DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    Incorporated Document                    Location in Form 10-K

Portions of 2002 Annual Report of Shareholders   Parts I and II
Portions of Proxy Statement dated March 31, 2003    Part III
                                PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

General

  Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc., the registrant (together with  its
subsidiaries,  referred  to hereafter as the "Company"),  is  a  South
Carolina  corporation  that operates a chain  of  restaurants  located
principally in the southern and midwestern United States.  At  January
1,  2003, 322 Company-owned and 22 franchised Ryan's Family Steakhouse
restaurants were in operation.  In addition, the Company operated  two
Fire  Mountain restaurants.  The Fire Mountain concept has essentially
the  same format as a Ryan's Family Steakhouse restaurant with display
cooking  and  is used in certain locations.  Therefore, in  total,  at
January 1, 2003, the Company owned and operated 324 and franchised  22
restaurants,  all of which are referred to hereafter  as  "Ryan's"  or
"Ryan's  restaurant(s)".  System-wide sales, which  include  sales  by
franchised  restaurants, were approximately $816 million in  2002  and
$787 million in 2001.  Sales by Company-owned restaurants amounted  to
approximately  $774  million in 2002 and $745 million  in  2001.   The
Company,  headquartered  in Greer, South Carolina,  was  organized  in
1977,  opened its first restaurant in 1978 and completed  its  initial
public  offering  in 1982.  It has no revenues or assets  outside  the
U.S.

  The  Company  maintains  an  Internet website  at  www.ryansinc.com.
This  website  offers free access to the Company's press releases  and
filings  with  the Securities and Exchange Commission,  including  its
annual  report  on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,  current
reports  on  Form  8-K  and amendments to those reports,  as  soon  as
reasonably practicable after these reports are filed with the SEC.

  The   following   table  indicates  the  number   of   Company-owned
restaurants opened each year, net of closings, and the total number of
Company-owned  restaurants  open at each year-end  during  the  5-year
period ending January 1, 2003:

                          Restaurant          Total Open
                Year      Openings, Net        at Year-End
                                              
                1998             10                 280
                1999              9                 289
                2000             12                 301
                2001             12                 313
                2002             11                 324


Restaurant Operations

  General.   A  Ryan's  restaurant  is  a  family-oriented  restaurant
serving  a  wide  variety of foods from its centrally located  scatter
bars  known  collectively as the Mega Barr buffet, as well as  grilled
entrees  such as charbroiled steaks, hamburgers, chicken and  seafood.
The Mega Barr includes fresh and pre-made salad items, soups, cheeses,
a  variety  of hot meats and vegetables, and hot yeast rolls  prepared
and  baked  daily on site.  All entree purchases include a trip  to  a
bakery  bar.  Bakery bars feature hot and fresh-from-the-oven cookies,
brownies  and  other  bakery  products  as  well  as  various  dessert
selections,  such  as  ice cream, frozen yogurt, fresh  fruit,  cakes,
cobblers  and  several  dessert toppings.  All  Ryan's  also  offer  a
variety  of non-alcoholic beverages.  All restaurants have their  Mega
Barsr in a scatter bar format.  This format breaks the Mega Barr  into
island bars for easier customer access and more food variety.

  The  newest Ryan's design features a display-style cooking area that
is  in  the  dining  room and very visible and  easily  accessible  to
customers.   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 plate.  This  format  was  first
implemented  during  2000,  and  at  the  end  of  2002,  123   Ryan's
restaurants  operated  with  the  display  cooking  format.   All  new
restaurants open with display cooking, and current plans call for  the
conversion  of 30 to 40 restaurants to the display cooking  format  in
2003.

  Most  Ryan's  are  open  seven days a week  with  typical  hours  of
operation  being 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through  Thursday  and
11:00  a.m.  to  10:30  p.m.  Friday and  Saturday.   The  Company  is
implementing  a program in which some of its restaurants, particularly
new  restaurants  and  restaurants that have  been  converted  to  the
display  cooking format, are closed on Mondays.  All  other  hours  of
operation  remain  consistent with all other Ryan's.   At  January  1,
2003,  approximately  46% of the Company's restaurants  were  on  this
program.  Management believes that the Monday-closing program  results
in  less manager turnover, better overall restaurant operations and no
significant loss of restaurant sales.

  The   average  customer  count  per  restaurant  during   2002   was
approximately  6,300 per week, and the average meal price  per  person
was  $7.45, including beverage.  Management believes that the  average
table turns over every 30 to 45 minutes.

  Each  Company-owned  Ryan's is located in  a  free-standing  masonry
building that is typically about 10,000 square feet.  The interior  of
most  restaurants  generally contains two or three dining  rooms  with
seating  for  approximately 400 customers  in  total,  an  area  where
customers both order and pay for their meals and a kitchen area.   The
focal  points of the main dining room are the Mega Barr and  a  bakery
bar.  In restaurants with display cooking, the display-style grill  is
prominently   visible  from  where  customers  enter  the  restaurant.
Parking  lots at the restaurants vary in size, with available  parking
ranging from 125 to 200 cars.

  Restaurant  Management  and  Supervision.   The  Company  emphasizes
standardized operating and control systems together with comprehensive
recruiting and training programs in order to maintain food and service
quality.   In  each Ryan's restaurant, the management  team  typically
consists  of  a  general  manager  or  operating  partner  (under  the
Operating  Partner Program described below), a manager,  an  assistant
manager   and  an  associate  manager.   Management  personnel   begin
employment  at the manager trainee level and complete a  formal  four-
week  training program at the Company's management training center  in
Greer,  South  Carolina  prior to being placed  in  associate  manager
positions.   All  restaurant managers continue their training  through
various training manuals and classes developed by the Company.

  Each  restaurant  management team reports to a district  manager  or
district partner (under the District Partner Program described below).
Individuals in these positions normally oversee the operations of four
to  eight restaurants and report to one of eight regional directors or
regional  partners  (under  the  Regional  Partner  Program  described
below),  positions  that may be at the Vice President  level  and,  in
every   case,   report   to   the  Senior  Vice  President-Operations.
Communication  and support from all corporate office  departments  are
designed  to assist all restaurant supervisory personnel (collectively
referred  to  as "Restaurant Supervision") in responding  promptly  to
local concerns.

  All  Restaurant  Supervision as well as general managers,  operating
partners   and  managers  participate  in  incentive  bonus  programs.
Bonuses paid to general managers and managers are based on the monthly
sales volume of their individual restaurant with deductions for excess
spending  in  key expense items, such as food cost, payroll  and  cash
shortages.   The  bonus  program for district  managers  and  regional
directors  is  based  principally on same-store sales,  profitability,
"hidden  shopper"  (service feedback) scores and  certain  qualitative
factors.

  In  1997,  the  Company initiated an Operating  Partner  Program  in
order  to provide general managers with an additional career path  and
an  opportunity to share in the profitability of their stores.   After
being selected and upon a $10,000 investment in Ryan's common stock, a
general  manager is promoted to Operating Partner and then  shares  in
any  profit  improvement and overall profitability of the  restaurant.
At  January 1, 2003, Operating Partners were managing 173 restaurants.
The  Company's  long-term  goal  is  to  have  Operating  Partners  in
approximately two-thirds of its restaurants.

  In  1999, the Company initiated a District Partner Program in  order
to  reward  top-performing district managers who were ready to  assume
additional responsibilities.  After being selected and upon a  $15,000
investment  in Ryan's common stock, a district manager is promoted  to
District Partner and then shares in any profit improvement and overall
profitability  of  the restaurants under his or her  supervision.   At
January  1,  2003,  there  were 21 District Partners  supervising  154
restaurants.   The  Company's goal is to have an  additional  five  to
seven District Partners in place at the end of 2003.

  In  2000, the Company initiated a Regional Partner Program in  order
to  reward top-performing regional directors who had demonstrated  the
ability  to assume additional responsibilities.  After being  selected
and  upon  a  $20,000 investment in Ryan's common  stock,  a  regional
director  is  promoted  to Regional Partner and  then  shares  in  the
overall profitability of the restaurants under his or her supervision.
A  Regional  Partner's  compensation is also  affected  by  same-store
sales,   "hidden  shopper"  scores,  profit  improvement  and  certain
qualitative  factors.   At January 1, 2003, there  were  two  Regional
Partners supervising 111 restaurants.  The Company's goal is  to  have
another Regional Partner in place at the end of 2003.

  Advertising.   The Company does not rely extensively on advertising,
spending less than one percent of restaurant sales during each of  the
years  2002,  2001  and 2000 on advertising.  In 2002  and  2001,  the
Company's  advertising  efforts  consisted  principally  of  billboard
advertising,  newspaper  ads  and  local  marketing  efforts.    Local
marketing focuses on building customer relationships through community
involvement  and  may include activities such as  sponsoring  a  youth
sports  team, providing a meeting place for organizations or providing
food  for  a  special community event.  The emphasis  is  on  building
relationships  at  the  restaurant level that  lead  to  word-of-mouth
advertising and, in turn, to increased restaurant sales.  In 2000, the
Company ran media advertising campaigns, using spot television,  cable
television  and  radio, in 20 markets covering 89 Ryan's  restaurants.
Newspaper ads and billboards were used in various other markets.

  In  2003,  current  plans  are to continue  to  emphasize  billboard
advertising,  newspaper  ads and local marketing  efforts  within  the
Company's  advertising  strategy.  The  Company  reviews  its  overall
advertising  plans annually and may or may not utilize  television  or
radio  advertising in the future depending on various factors such  as
historical  sales  results  from  advertising,  current  and   planned
restaurant  programs,  current  advertising  cost  levels  and  market
penetration.

Expansion of Company-Owned Restaurants

  General.   At  January 1, 2003, the Company owned and  operated  324
Ryan's restaurants.  During 2003, the Company plans to open 15  to  17
new   Company-owned  Ryan's,  including  four  potential  relocations.
Target sites for these new restaurants are within or contiguous to the
Company's  current  23-state  operating area.   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.  The  following
table  summarizes  the  Company's openings, closings  and  relocations
during 2002, 2001 and 2000:

                                   2002      2001      2000
                                                
          Beginning of year          313       301       289
          New restaurants             13        11        13
          Relocations - opened         7         5         4
          Relocations - closed        (7)       (4)       (5)
          Closings                    (2)        -         -
          End of year                 324       313       301

  Site  Selection.  The Company employs a real estate manager and uses
in-house real estate representatives to locate potential new sites and
to perform all preliminary site investigative work.  Final approval is
made by the Company's executive management.  Important factors in site
selection include population, demographics, proximity to both business
and  residential areas, traffic count and site accessibility.  Another
factor  in site selection for a Ryan's restaurant is its proximity  to
other   Ryan's   restaurants  because  this  proximity  improves   the
efficiency   of  the  Company's  Restaurant  Supervision,  advertising
programs and distribution network.

  Construction.  The Company presently acts as the general  contractor
for  the  construction of all of its restaurants.  The  Company's  in-
house  architectural  staff draws up the detailed  construction  plans
that  are used by subcontractors selected by a Ryan's project  manager
to perform the actual construction work.  In addition to selecting and
scheduling  subcontractors,  a Ryan's project  manager  also  procures
materials,  if  necessary,  and  provides  general  oversight  of  the
construction project.  A Ryan's construction superintendent is on site
during the construction of each restaurant and closely supervises  the
progress  and  workmanship  of  the  project.   New  restaurants   are
generally  completed  approximately  four  to  five  months  from  the
commencement  of  construction.  The average  cost  of  a  new  Ryan's
restaurant  (land,  building and equipment) constructed  in  2002  was
approximately $2.8 million.

  Restaurant  Opening.  When a new Ryan's restaurant  is  opened,  all
restaurant  management positions are staffed with personnel  who  have
had   prior   management  experience  in  another  of  the   Company's
restaurants.   Prior  to  opening, all  staff  personnel  at  the  new
location  undergo one week of intensive training conducted  by  a  new
store opening team.

  Franchising.  While the Company has granted Ryan's franchises in the
past,  management has not actively pursued new franchisees  in  recent
years  in  order  to concentrate on the operation and  development  of
Company-owned restaurants.  Future consideration may be given  to  new
franchisees proposing to operate in regions significantly  outside  of
the Company's existing or contemplated operating areas.

  The  following table indicates the number of franchised  restaurants
opened  each year, net of closings, and the total number of franchised
restaurants  open  at  each year-end during the 5-year  period  ending
January 1, 2003:

                                Net
                            Restaurants          Total Open
                Year      Opened (Closed)       at Year-End
                                              
               1998              1                  26
               1999             (3)                 23
               2000              -                  23
               2001              -                  23
               2002             (1)                 22


  At  January 1, 2003, the Company's sole franchise agreement was with
Family  Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. ("Family") which, at that  date,
operated  22 Ryan's restaurants in central and northern Florida.   The
present  franchise  agreement  expires  in  2010.   If  Family  is  in
compliance  with the franchise agreement at that time  and  agrees  to
certain remodeling requirements, Family then has the option to  extend
the  agreement  for up to two 10-year renewal periods.  The  agreement
provides  that the Company will furnish Family with all the  necessary
information to construct, equip, manage and operate restaurants  under
the  Ryan's Family Steakhouse name or derivative thereof.  It  further
provides  for  exclusive  territorial protection  in  certain  Florida
counties  as  long  as Family operates a specified  number  of  Ryan's
restaurants.

  The  franchise agreement with Family was amended in August  1999  in
order  to  revise the number of Ryan's restaurants required to  be  in
operation by Family.  A comparison of the old and current requirements
follows:

                                Restaurants in Operation
                                Old               Current
              Year-End      Requirement         Requirement
                                               
                2001             29                  25
                2002             30                  27
                2003             31                  29
                2004             32                  31
          Subsequent years    +1/year             +2/year


  At  January 2, 2002 (year-end 2001), Family was required to have  25
restaurants in operation, but operated only 23 restaurants.  Under the
terms  of  the  agreement, this noncompliance  did  not  constitute  a
default,  but  did  result in Family losing its exclusive  territorial
protection  at  that date.  Family still has the right  to  build  and
operate  additional restaurants in its franchise area.   However,  the
Company  also  has  the  right  to either  sell  franchises  to  other
franchisees or operate Company-owned Ryan's restaurants in that  area.
The  Company  has  explored real estate options in  Family's  area  of
operation  and  may  open Company-owned restaurants  there  in  future
years.

  Also,  in accordance with an October 1996 amendment to the franchise
agreement, the royalty rate charged to Family by the Company increased
to  4%  of sales from 3%, effective January 3, 2002.  The 4%  rate  is
consistent with the rate prior to the rate reduction stated in  a  May
1992 amendment to the franchise agreement.  If the franchise agreement
had  never been amended, Family's royalty rate would have been 5%  for
all of its franchised Ryan's restaurants for 1991 and onward.

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

  The  Company has a centralized purchasing program which is  designed
to  provide  uniform  product quality in all restaurants  as  well  as
reduced  food,  beverage and supply costs.  The  Company's  management
establishes  contracts for approximately 90% of  its  food  and  other
products  from  a variety of major suppliers under competitive  terms.
Purchases  under  these  contracts  are  delivered  to  one  of  three
warehouses  operated by the Company's principal distributor  and  then
delivered to the restaurants by the distributor.  The remaining 10% of
the  Company's  products  (principally fresh  produce)  are  purchased
locally  by  restaurant management.  The beef used by the  Company  is
obtained  from four western suppliers based on price and  availability
of  product.   To  ensure against interruption in  the  flow  of  beef
supplies  due  to  unforeseen or catastrophic events, the  distributor
maintains  up  to  eight weeks supply of beef at its warehouses.   The
Company  believes  that satisfactory sources of supply  are  generally
available for all the items used regularly in its operations.

Working Capital Requirements

  Working  capital  requirements  for continuing  operations  are  not
significant.   The  Company's restaurant sales are  primarily  derived
from  cash  sales,  and inventories are purchased on  credit  and  are
rapidly  converted to cash.  Therefore, the Company does not  maintain
significant receivables or inventories.

Trademarks and Service Marks

  The  Company  has registered various trademarks and  service  marks,
including  "Ryan'sr", "Ryan's Family Steak Houser",  "Mega  Barr"  and
"Fire  Mountainr",  and their related designs with the  United  States
Patent  and  Trademark Office.  All trademarks and service marks  have
stated  expiration  dates ranging from September 2007  to  June  2012.
However, they are renewable for an unlimited number of additional  10-
year terms at the option of the Company.

Competition

  The  food  service  business  is highly  competitive  and  is  often
impacted  by  changes in the taste and eating habits  of  the  public,
economic   and   political  conditions  affecting   spending   habits,
population  and traffic patterns.  The principal bases of  competition
in  the  industry  are  the quality and price  of  the  food  products
offered.   Location, speed of service and attractiveness of facilities
are  also  important factors.  Ryan's restaurants  compete  with  many
units   operated  or  franchised  by  national,  regional  and   local
restaurant companies that offer steak or buffet-style meals.  Although
the  Company believes that its price/value to its customers places  it
in  an excellent competitive position, during the last few years  many
operators  have upgraded their restaurants to more closely  match  the
Ryan's  format, particularly the Mega Barr and, most recently, display
cooking.   The Company also competes with many specialty food  outlets
and other food vendors.

Seasonality

  The  Company's operations are subject to some seasonal fluctuations.
Average  sales  per  restaurant run approximately  5%  less  than  the
company-wide annual per-restaurant average during the first and fourth
quarters  and 5% more than the company-wide annual average during  the
second and third quarters.

Research

  The  Company  maintains ongoing research programs  relating  to  the
development  of  new products and evaluation of marketing  activities.
The  Company's  management staff includes a Director of  Research  and
Development, whose responsibilities include enhancing and updating the
Mega  Barr  and  grill  selections.  While  research  and  development
activities  are important to the Company, past expenditures  have  not
been  and future expenditures are not expected to be material  to  the
Company's financial results.

Customers

  No  material  part  of the Company's business is  dependent  upon  a
single customer or a specific group of customers.

Regulation

  The  Company  is  subject  to licensing and  regulation  by  health,
sanitation,   safety   and  fire  agencies  in   the   states   and/or
municipalities  in which its restaurants are located.   The  Company's
restaurants  are  constructed to meet local and  state  building  code
requirements  and are operated in material accordance with  state  and
local  regulations relating to the preparation and  service  of  food.
Generally  the  Company has not encountered significant  obstacles  to
opening  new  restaurants as a result of difficulties or  failures  in
obtaining  the required licenses or approvals. However, more stringent
or  varied  requirements of local and state governmental bodies  could
delay   or  prevent  development  of  new  restaurants  in  particular
locations.

  The  Company  is  subject  to the Fair Labor  Standards  Act,  which
regulates  matters  such  as minimum wage requirements,  overtime  and
other  working conditions, along with the Americans with  Disabilities
Act  and various family leave mandates.  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 was introduced in the U.S. Senate  in
May  2002.  Although the proposed legislation was not passed in  2002,
it is likely that Congress will again consider the issue in 2003.  The
Company has typically been able to increase menu prices to cover  most
of the payroll rate increases.

Environmental Matters

  While  the  Company  is  not aware of any federal,  state  or  local
environmental regulations that will materially affect its  operations,
earnings  or  competitive  position  or  result  in  material  capital
expenditures,  it  cannot  predict  the  impact  of  possible   future
legislation or regulation on its operations.

Employees

  At   March  5,  2003,  the  Company  employed  approximately  21,200
persons, of whom approximately 20,800 were restaurant personnel.   The
Company  strives  to maintain low turnover by offering  all  full-time
employees  (defined  as  working  at  least  30  hours  per  week)   a
competitive  benefit package, which includes several health  insurance
plans,  life  insurance,  vacation  pay  and  a  defined  contribution
retirement  plan.  All part-time employees are eligible to participate
in certain health insurance plans and also receive vacation pay.

  None  of  the Company's employees are represented by a  union.   The
Company  has  experienced  no  work stoppages  attributable  to  labor
disputes and considers its employee relations to be good.

Information as to Classes of Similar Products or Services

  The  Company operates in only one industry segment.  All significant
revenues  and  pre-tax earnings relate to retail  sales  of  food  and
beverages  to  the  general public through either Company-operated  or
franchised  restaurants.   At January 1,  2003,  the  Company  had  no
operations outside the continental United States.

  Information regarding the Company's restaurant sales and  assets  is
included in the Company's financial statements, which are incorporated
by reference into Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

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 annual 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 Company plans or strategies,  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
this  Form  10-K.  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.


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

  The  Company  owns  substantially all of its restaurant  properties,
each  of  which  is a free-standing masonry building of  approximately
8,000 to 12,500 square feet, with seating for approximately 300 to 500
persons  and  parking for approximately 125 to 200 cars  on  sites  of
approximately 75,000 to 130,000 square feet.  At January 1, 2003,  all
restaurant  sites,  except 16 properties under  land  leases  and  one
restaurant  under  an  operating  lease  for  the  building  and   its
underlying land, were owned by the Company.

  A  listing of the number of Ryan's restaurant locations by state  as
of  January  1,  2003 appears on page 5 of the Company's  2002  Annual
Report  to Shareholders and is incorporated by reference.  A  detailed
listing of Ryan's restaurant locations may be obtained without  charge
by  writing  to  the Company's Corporate Secretary  at  its  corporate
office.

  The  Company's  corporate office consists of  two  office  buildings
(30,000  square feet and 16,000 square feet) and a 10,000 square  foot
warehouse facility, all of which are located in Greer, South Carolina.
The  office  buildings (land and building) are owned by  the  Company.
The  warehouse facility is leased with annual renewal terms ending  in
October 2005.

  From time to time, the Company offers for sale excess land that  was
acquired  in  connection  with its restaurant  properties.   Also,  at
January  1,  2003, six closed restaurant properties were  offered  for
sale.   The  Company  believes that the eventual disposition  or  non-
disposition  of  all  such properties will not materially  affect  its
business or financial condition, taken as a whole.


ITEM 3. 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 the  Company  of  the
Fair  Labor  Standards  Act of 1938.  The plaintiffs'  attorneys  have
indicated  that  they  intend  to seek  class-action  status  on  this
complaint.  The Company intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit  and
has  retained  two firms to serve as co-lead counsel for the  Company.
Any potential financial impact to the Company cannot be determined  at
this time.

  In  addition,  from time to time, the Company is involved  in  other
litigation arising in the normal course of business.  Based  on  those
legal  actions currently known to its management, the Company 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 its business or financial condition, taken as a whole.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

  None.


                                PART II


ITEM 5. MARKET  FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
        MATTERS.

  The  information  regarding trading of the Company's  common  stock,
quarterly  market  prices and dividends appears  under  "Common  Stock
Data"  and  "Market Price of Common Stock" on page 25 of the Company's
2002 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated by reference.

  At   March  5,  2003,  the  Company's  common  stock  was  held   by
approximately 10,400 stockholders of record including holdings through
nominee or street name accounts with brokers.

  As  further  described in Item 7A, the Company is party to  a  long-
term  credit agreement involving a revolving credit facility, expiring
in  January  2005,  that prohibits the payment of cash  dividends  but
permits the payment of dividends solely in the Company's common stock.

  The   following  table  provides  information  on  the   number   of
securities  to  be  issued upon the exercise of  outstanding  options,
warrants  and rights and the number of securities remaining  available
for future issuance.


     Equity Compensation Plan Information at Last Fiscal Year-End

                                                      (c)
                     (a)                           Number of
                  Number of          (b)           Securities
                  Securities      Weighted-        Remaining
                 To Be Issued      Average       Available for
                     upon          Exercise         Issuance
                 Exercise of       Price of       under Equity
		  Outstanding     Outstanding      Compensation
                   Options,        Options,          Plans
                 Warrants and    Warrants and      (Excluding
                  Rights            Rights       Securities
 Plan Category       (#)           ($/Sh)        Reflected in
                                                  Column (a))
                                                      (#)
                                           
Equity            4,592,000             8.10        3,641,000
compensation
plans
approved by
security
holders

Equity                  --               --     -             --
compensation
plans not
approved by
security
holders

Total            4,592,000             8.10        3,641,000


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

  Selected financial data for the last five years is included  in  the
"Five-Year Financial Summary" on page 13 of the Company's 2002  Annual
Report  to Shareholders and is incorporated by reference.  The Company
has  never paid cash dividends on its common stock and does not expect
to pay such dividends in the foreseeable future.


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
        AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and
Results  of  Operations" is included on pages  7  through  12  of  the
Company's  2002  Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated  by
reference.


ITEM 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE 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  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's long-term debt  was  funded  on
January  28, 2000 as a result of two loan transactions that refinanced
all   existing  debt  balances  and  added  to  the  Company's  credit
availability.  The first transaction involved a $200 million revolving
credit  facility with several banks due in 2005, bearing  interest  at
various  floating interest rates plus a variable spread currently  set
at 1.375%.  The second transaction involved the private placement with
several insurance companies of $75 million of senior notes due in 2008
with principal payments commencing in 2005, bearing interest at 9.02%.
Both  loans  are  secured  by the stock of the Company's  wholly-owned
subsidiaries and affiliates.

  While  the  Company has entered into derivative financial instrument
agreements  in  the  past, there were no such  agreements  outstanding
during  the year ended January 1, 2003.  The Company has never entered
into  financial  instrument  agreements  for  trading  or  speculative
purposes.

  The  following  table presents information regarding  the  Company's
outstanding long-term debt based on total outstanding debt balances as
of  January  1, 2003.  The contractually required principal repayments
and  their  related  average  interest  rates  by  maturity  date  are
presented in the table.  For the variable rate debt, average  interest
rate is based on the two-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR")
at  January 1, 2003 plus the current applicable margin of 1.375%.  The
applicable margin is subject to increase up to a maximum of 1.675%  or
decrease to a minimum of 0.875% in future years depending upon changes
to  the  Company's ratio of funded debt to EBITDA.  The fair value  of
the variable rate debt approximates its carrying amount at January  1,
2003  due  to  the  variable  rate  provisions  of  the  related  debt
instruments.   During  2002, the variable rate  debt  had  an  average
interest rate of 3.3%.  The fair value of the fixed rate debt is based
on  borrowing  rates available to the Company for notes  with  similar
terms and average maturities at January 1, 2003.

                           As of January 1, 2003
                         Expected Maturity Dates
                                       
                                                   There-      Fair
                     2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  after Total Value
Liabilities
  (in millions)
Long-term debt -
  Variable rate       -      -  $127.0   -     -     -   127.0 127.0
     Average interest
       rate          2.8%   2.8%   2.8% 2.8%   -     -     2.8%
  Fixed rate          -      -   $18.8 18.8  18.8  18.8   75.0  86.1
     Average interest
        rate         9.0%   9.0%   9.0% 9.0%  9.0%  9.0%   9.0%


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

  The  Company's  financial statements, unaudited quarterly  financial
information and the independent auditors' report are included on pages
14  through 23 of the Company's 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders and
are incorporated by reference.


ITEM 9. CHANGES  IN  AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON  ACCOUNTING
        AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

  None.


                               PART III


ITEM 10.DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

  The  information  required  under  this  item  is  incorporated   by
reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement  for
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 30, 2003 under the
headings  "Election of Directors", "Executive Officers"  and  "Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."


ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

  The information required under this item is incorporated by
reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement for
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 30, 2003 under the
headings "Election of Directors - Compensation of Directors",
"Executive Compensation and Other Information", "Report of the
Compensation Committee" and "Performance Graph."


ITEM 12.SECURITY   OWNERSHIP   OF   CERTAIN  BENEFICIAL   OWNERS   AND
        MANAGEMENT.

  The information required under this item is incorporated by
reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement for
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 30, 2003 under the
headings "Election of Directors", "Certain Beneficial Owners of Common
Stock" and "Executive Officers."


ITEM 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

  The  information  required  under  this  item  is  incorporated   by
reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement  for
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 30, 2003 under the
headings "Election of Directors" and "Executive Compensation and Other
Information - Deferred Compensation - Salary Continuation Agreement."


                                PART IV


ITEM 14.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
reviewed   and   evaluated  the  Company's  disclosure  controls   and
procedures  within  90  days of the filing of 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.

There  were no significant changes in the Company's internal  controls
or  in  other  factors that could significantly affect these  controls
subsequent  to  the  date  of the Chief Executive  Officer  and  Chief
Financial   Officer's  evaluation,  nor  were  there  any  significant
deficiencies  or  material weaknesses in the controls  which  required
corrective action.


ITEM 15.EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-
        K.

  (a)1-2Financial  statements  filed as part of  this  Form  10-K  are
        listed in the "Index to Financial Statements", at page 19.

  (a)3  Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation
        S-K):

      Exhibit #                    Description

                3.1        Articles of Incorporation of the Company,
                as amended through April 24, 1986:  Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Registration
                Statement of the Company filed with the SEC on Form S-
                3 (Commission file no. 33-7245) (the "Form S-3").

                3.1.1      Articles of Amendment to the Articles of
                Incorporation, dated April 22, 1987:  Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Annual Report on Form
                10-K for the period ended January 1, 1992 (Commission
                file no. 0-10943) (the "1991 10-K").

                3.1.2      Articles of Amendment to the Articles of
                Incorporation, dated May 25, 1989:  Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration
                Statement of the Company filed with the SEC on Form S-
                8 (Commission file no. 33-53834).

                3.2  Bylaws of the Company:  Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 4(b) to the Form S-3.

                3.2.1     Amendment to By-Laws of the Company, dated
                October 25, 1990:  Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 3.3 to the 1991 10-K.

                3.2.2     Amendment to By-Laws of the Company, dated
                January 28, 1999:  Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 3.2.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                the period ended December 29, 1999 (Commission file
                no. 0-10943) (the "1999 10-K").

                4.1        Specimen of Company common stock
                certificate:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                4.1 to the 1991 10-K.

                4.2         See Exhibits 3.1, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2, 3.2.1
                and 3.2.2.

                4.3         See  Exhibit  10.22,  10.23,  10.23.1  and
                10.24.

                *10.1      Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. 1987
                Stock Option Plan:  Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 4 to the Registration Statement of the
                Company filed with the SEC on Form S-8 (Commission
                file no. 33-15924).

                *10.2      Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. 1991
                Stock Option Plan:  Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement of the
                Company filed with the SEC on Form S-8 (Commission
                file no. 33-53834).

                *10.3      Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. 1998
                Stock Option Plan:  Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 99.1 to the Registration Statement of the
                Company filed with the SEC on Form S-8 (Commission
                file no. 333-67165).

                *10.4+     Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. 2002
                Stock Option Plan, as approved at the Special Meeting
                of Shareholders held on July 22, 2002.

                *10.5      Ryan's Employee Retirement Savings Plan,
                dated March 1, 1992:  Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 10.4 to the 1991 10-K.

                *10.6      Salary Continuation Agreement, dated April
                22, 1987, between the Company and Alvin A. McCall,
                Jr.; as amended on October 26, 1989:  Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the 1991 10-K.

                *10.7      Deferred Compensation - Salary
                Continuation Agreement, dated April 22, 1987, between
                the Company and Charles D. Way:  Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the 1991 10-K.

                10.8       Agreement and Plan of Restructuring:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Proxy
                Statement of the Company, dated March 25, 1993, filed
                with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to
                be held on April 28, 1993 (Commission file no. 0-
                10943).

                *10.9      Split Dollar Agreement by and between the
                Company and Charles D. Way dated September 1, 1993:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the
                Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                December 29, 1993 (Commission file no. 0-10943) (the
                "1993 10-K").

                *10.10     Split Dollar Agreement by and between the
                Company and G. Edwin McCranie dated November 12,
                1993:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to
                the 1993 10-K.

                *10.11     Split Dollar Agreement by and between the
                Company and James R. Hart dated August 8, 1993:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the
                1993 10-K.

                *10.12     Split Dollar Agreement by and between the
                Company and Fred T. Grant, Jr. dated November 12,
                1993:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to
                the 1993 10-K.

                *10.13     Split Dollar Agreement by and between the
                Company and Alan E. Shaw dated November 12, 1993:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the
                1993 10-K.

                *10.14     Split Dollar Agreement by and between the
                Company and Morgan A. Graham dated November 12, 1993:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the
                Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                December 31, 1997 (Commission file no. 0-10943) (the
                "1997 10-K").

                *10.15     Split Dollar Agreement by and between the
                Company and Janet J. Gleitz dated November 12, 1993:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the
                1997 10-K.

                *10.16     Split Dollar Agreement by and between the
                Company and Ilene T. Turbow dated November 12, 1995:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the
                1997 10-K.

                *10.17     Deferred Compensation Plan by and between
                the Company and Morgan A. Graham dated November 1,
                1997:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to
                the 1997 10-K.

                *10.18     Deferred Compensation Plan by and between
                the Company and Janet J. Gleitz dated November 1,
                1997:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to
                the 1997 10-K.

                *10.19     Deferred Compensation Plan by and between
                the Company and Ilene T. Turbow dated November 1,
                1997:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to
                the 1997 10-K.

                *10.20     Executive Bonus Plan, commencing in fiscal
                year 1998:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                10.23 to the 1997 10-K.

                10.21      Franchise Agreement between Ryan's Family
                Steak Houses, Inc. (later assigned to Ryan's
                Properties, Inc.) and Family Steak Houses of Florida,
                Inc. dated September 16, 1987:  Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Annual Report on
                Form 10-K for the period ended January 2, 2002
                (Commission file no. 0-10943) (the "2001 10-K").

                10.21.1   Amendment dated as of May 29, 1992 to the
                Franchise Agreement referred to at Exhibit 10.21:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21.1 to the
                2001 10-K.

                10.21.2    Agreement between Ryan's Properties, Inc.
                and Family Steak Houses of Florida, Inc.:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the
                Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                December 28, 1994 (Commission file no. 0-10943).

                10.21.3   Amendment dated as of October 3, 1996 to
                the Franchise Agreement referred to at Exhibit 10.21:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22.1 to the
                1999 10-K.

                10.21.4   Amendment dated as of August 31, 1999 to
                the Franchise Agreement referred to at Exhibit 10.21:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22.2 to the
                1999 10-K.

                10.21.5   Amendment dated as of January 30, 2002 to
                the Franchise Agreement referred to at Exhibit 10.21:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21.5 to the
                2001 10-K.

                10.22      Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. and
                Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A., as Rights
                Agent, Shareholder Rights Agreement dated as of
                January 26, 1995:  Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 2 to the report on Form 8-K filed with the
                Commission on February 9, 1995 (Commission file no. 0-
                10943).

                10.23     Credit Agreement dated as of January 28,
                2000 among Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. (the
                "Borrower"), the domestic subsidiaries of the
                Borrower, as Guarantors, Bank of America, N.A., as
                Administrative Agent, First Union National Bank, as
                Syndication Agent, Wachovia Bank, N.A., as
                Documentation Agent, SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, as
                Senior Managing Agent, and certain other banks
                signatory thereto:  Incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 10.24 to the 1999 10-K.

                10.23.1   First Amendment dated as of November 9,
                2001 to the Credit Agreement referred to at Exhibit
                10.23:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23.1
                to the 2001 10-K.

                10.23.2+  Second Amendment dated as of November 15,
                2002 to the Credit Agreement referred to at Exhibit
                10.23.

                10.24     Note Purchase Agreement between Ryan's
                Family Steak Houses, Inc. and various lenders for
                $75,000,000 of 9.02% Senior Notes due January 28,
                2008:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to
                the 1999 10-K.

                *10.25    Form of Split-Dollar Life Insurance
                Agreement by and between the Company and each of
                Messrs. Way, McCranie, Graham, Grant, Hart and Shaw
                and Ms. Gleitz and Ms. Turbow:  Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the 1999 10-K.

                *10.26    Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of
                August 1, 1999:  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                10.27 to the 1999 10-K.

                *10.27    Form of Employment, Noncompetition and
                Severance Agreement by and between the Company and
                each of Messrs. Way, McCranie, Grant, Graham, and
                Hart and Ms. Gleitz and Ms. Turbow:  Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Annual Report on
                Form 10-K for the period ended January 3, 2001
                (Commission file no. 0-10943).

                13.1+      Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. 2002
                Report to Shareholders (except for those portions
                that are expressly incorporated by reference in this
                Report on Form 10-K, this exhibit is furnished for
                the information of the Commission and is not deemed
                to be filed as a part hereof).

                21.1+      Subsidiaries of the Company.

                23.1+      Consent of Independent Auditors.

                99.1+      Section 906 Certification of Chief
                Executive Officer

                99.2+      Section 906 Certification of Chief
                Financial Officer

                *          This is a management contract or
                compensatory plan or arrangement.
                +          Filed with this Form 10-K.

  (b)   (i)   On November 18, 2002, the Company filed a report on Form
        8-K  that  included  the certifications  of  the  registrant's
        Chief  Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer  pursuant
        to  Section  906  of  the Sarbanes -  Oxley  Act  of  2002  in
        connection  with  Form 10-Q for the period  ended  October  2,
        2002.   (ii)  On December 12, 2002, the Company filed a report
        on  Form 8-K that described the litigation involving the  Fair
        Labor Standards Act of 1938 that is further discussed at  Item
        3 of this Form 10-K.

  (c)   The  response  to this portion of Item 15 is  submitted  as  a
        separate section of this report.

  (d)   The  response  to this portion of Item 15 is  submitted  as  a
        separate section of this report.


                              SIGNATURES


  Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  Section  13  or  15(d)  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.
March 31, 2003

                            By:/s/Fred T. Grant, Jr.
                            Fred T. Grant, Jr.
                            Senior Vice President -
                            Finance, Treasurer and
                            Assistant Secretary
                            (Principal Financial and
                            Accounting Officer)

  Pursuant  to  the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange  Act  of
1934,  this  report has been signed below by the following persons  on
behalf  of  the  registrant and in the capacities  and  on  the  dates
indicated.

Signature                 Title                   Date

/s/Charles D. Way        Chairman, President and  March 31, 2003
Charles D. Way           Chief Executive Officer

/s/G. Edwin McCranie     Director and Executive   March 31, 2003
G. Edwin McCranie        Vice President

/s/James D. Cockman      Director              March 31, 2003
James D. Cockman

/s/Barry L. Edwards      Director              March 31, 2003
Barry L. Edwards

/s/Brian S. MacKenzie    Director              March 31, 2003
Brian S. MacKenzie

/s/Harold K. Roberts, Jr.   Director           March 31, 2003
Harold K. Roberts, Jr.

/s/James M. Shoemaker, Jr.  Director           March 31, 2003
James M. Shoemaker, Jr.

/s/Fred T. Grant, Jr.    Senior Vice President
Fred T. Grant, Jr.         - Finance,          March 31, 2003
                         Treasurer and Assistant
                         Secretary (Principal
                         Financial and Accounting
                         Officer)

                   Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc.
                       Section 302 Certification

Chief Executive Officer


I, Charles D. Way, certify that:
1.   I  have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Ryan's Family
     Steak Houses, Inc.;
2.   Based  on  my knowledge, this annual report does not contain  any
     untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a  material
     fact  necessary  to make the statements made,  in  light  of  the
     circumstances  under  which  such  statements  were   made,   not
     misleading  with  respect to the period covered  by  this  annual
     report;
3.   Based  on  my  knowledge,  the financial  statements,  and  other
     financial  information  included in this  annual  report,  fairly
     present in all material respects the financial condition, results
     of  operations and cash flows of the registrant as of,  and  for,
     the periods presented in this annual report;
4.   The  registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible
     for   establishing  and  maintaining  disclosure   controls   and
     procedures  (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and  15d-14)
     for the registrant and we have:
     (a)  Designed  such disclosure controls and procedures to  ensure
          that   material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,
          including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us
          by  others  within those entities, particularly  during  the
          period in which this annual report is being prepared;
     (b)  Evaluated  the effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure
          controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
          the  filing  date  of  this annual report  (the  "Evaluation
          Date"); and
     (c)  Presented  in this annual report our conclusions  about  the
          effectiveness  of  the  disclosure controls  and  procedures
          based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5.   The  registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed,
     based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors
     and  the  audit committee of registrant's board of directors  (or
     persons performing the equivalent functions);
     (a)  All  significant deficiencies in the design or operation  of
          internal   controls   which  could  adversely   affect   the
          registrant's  ability  to  record,  process,  summarize  and
          report   financial   data  and  have  identified   for   the
          registrant's  auditors any material weaknesses  in  internal
          controls; and
     (b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
          or  other  employees  who  have a significant  role  in  the
          registrant's internal controls; and
6.   The  registrant's other certifying officers and I have  indicated
     in  this  annual  report  whether or not there  were  significant
     changes  in  internal  controls or in other  factors  that  could
     significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date  of
     our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
     regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date:     March 31, 2003

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


                 Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc.
                       Section 302 Certification
                        Chief Financial Officer


I, Fred T. Grant, Jr., certify that:
1.   I  have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Ryan's Family
     Steak Houses, Inc.;
2.   Based  on  my knowledge, this annual report does not contain  any
     untrue  statement of a material fact or omit to state a  material
     fact  necessary  to make the statements made,  in  light  of  the
     circumstances  under  which  such  statements  were   made,   not
     misleading  with  respect to the period covered  by  this  annual
     report;
3.   Based  on  my  knowledge,  the financial  statements,  and  other
     financial  information  included in this  annual  report,  fairly
     present in all material respects the financial condition, results
     of  operations and cash flows of the registrant as of,  and  for,
     the periods presented in this annual report;
4.   The  registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible
     for   establishing  and  maintaining  disclosure   controls   and
     procedures  (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and  15d-14)
     for the registrant and we have:
     (a)  Designed  such disclosure controls and procedures to  ensure
          that   material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,
          including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us
          by  others  within those entities, particularly  during  the
          period in which this annual report is being prepared;
     (b)  Evaluated  the effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure
          controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
          the  filing  date  of  this annual report  (the  "Evaluation
          Date"); and
     (c)  Presented  in this annual report our conclusions  about  the
          effectiveness  of  the  disclosure controls  and  procedures
          based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5.   The  registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed,
     based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors
     and  the  audit committee of registrant's board of directors  (or
     persons performing the equivalent functions);
     (a)  All  significant deficiencies in the design or operation  of
          internal   controls   which  could  adversely   affect   the
          registrant's  ability  to  record,  process,  summarize  and
          report   financial   data  and  have  identified   for   the
          registrant's  auditors any material weaknesses  in  internal
          controls; and
     (b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
          or  other  employees  who  have a significant  role  in  the
          registrant's internal controls; and
6.   The  registrant's other certifying officers and I have  indicated
     in  this  annual  report  whether or not there  were  significant
     changes  in  internal  controls or in other  factors  that  could
     significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date  of
     our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with
     regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date:     March 31, 2003

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


                   RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.

                     INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  The  following  financial statements of the Registrant  included  in
the  Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended January 1, 2003,
are incorporated herein by reference.  With the exception of the pages
listed below and other information incorporated in this report on Form
10-K, the 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders is not deemed "filed"  as
part of this report.

                                 Page Reference
                                in Annual Report

Independent Auditors' Report           23

Consolidated Statements of Earnings    14

Consolidated Balance Sheets            15

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  16

Notes to Financial Statements        17-23

  All  financial  statement  schedules have  been  omitted  since  the
required information is not applicable or the information required  is
included  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  or  the  notes
thereto.