UNITED STATES
                    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 2, 2002
                                    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 ]

   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 March 6, 2002, was $700,513,000.

   The  number  of  shares  outstanding of the registrant's  Common  Stock,
$1.00 Par Value, was 29,533,000 at March 6, 2002.
                    DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    Incorporated Document                    Location in Form 10-K

Portions of 2001 Annual Report of Shareholders   Parts I and II
Portions of Proxy Statement dated March 28, 2002    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
2,  2002, 312 Company-owned and 23 franchised Ryan's Family Steakhouse
restaurants were in operation.  In addition, the Company operates  one
Fire  Mountain restaurant.  Therefore, in total, at January  2,  2002,
the  Company owned and operated 313 and franchised 23 restaurants, all
of  which used the Ryan's Family Steakhouse format.  All Company-owned
and operated restaurants are referred to hereafter  as  "Ryan's"  or
"Ryan's restaurant(s)".  System-wide  sales, which include sales by
franchised restaurants, were approximately $787 million  in  2001 and
$745 million in 2000.  Sales  by  Company-owned restaurants  amounted
to approximately $745 million in 2001  and  $705 million in 2000. 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   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 2, 2002:

                            Restaurant          Total Open
                Year      Openings, Net        at Year-End
                                              
                1997              9                 270
                1998             10                 280
                1999              9                 289
                2000             12                 301
                2001             12                 313


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 grill and 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 2001, 60 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 2002.

  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 new restaurants, restaurants that have
been  converted  to  the  display cooking  format  and  certain  other
restaurants  are  closed  on Mondays.  All other  hours  of  operation
remain  consistent  with  all  other  Ryan's.   At  January  2,  2002,
approximately  30% 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   2001   was
approximately  6,500 per week, and the average meal price  per  person
was  $7.14, 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.  Certain  older
restaurants may have sizes ranging from approximately 8,000 to  12,500
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.  Certain older restaurants may seat up to 500 persons.
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 spaces.

  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 2, 2002, Operating Partners were managing 178 restaurants.
The Company's goal is to have Operating Partners in approximately two-
thirds of its restaurants at the end of 2002.

  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  2,  2002,  there  were 20 District Partners  supervising  132
restaurants.   The  Company's goal is to have an  additional  five  to
eight District Partners in place at the end of 2002.

  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 2, 2002,  there  was  one  Regional
Partner supervising 58 restaurants.  The Company's goal is to have one
or two additional Regional Partners in place at the end of 2002.

  Advertising.   The Company does not rely extensively on advertising,
spending less than one percent of restaurant sales during each of  the
years  2001,  2000  and 1999 on advertising.  In 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  2002, current plans call for the continued emphasis on billboard
advertising  and  local marketing efforts.  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 and current advertising cost levels.

Expansion of Company-Owned Restaurants

  General.   At  January 2, 2002, the Company owned and  operated  313
Ryan's restaurants.  During 2002, current plans call for 17 to 19  new
Company-owned Ryan's, including five or six relocations.  Target sites
for  these new restaurants are spread throughout or contiguous to  the
Company's  current  23-state  operating area.   Management  defines  a
relocation  as  a  restaurant opened within 12  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 2001, 2001 and 1999:

                                              
                                   2001      2000      1999
          Beginning of year         301       289       280
          New restaurants            11        13        12
          Relocations - opened        5         4         6
          Relocations - closed       (4)       (5)       (6)
          Closings                    -         -        (3)
          End of year               313       301       289


  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  2001  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 2, 2002:
                         Net
                            Restaurants          Total Open
                Year      Opened (Closed)       at Year-End
                                              
               1997              -                  25
               1998              1                  26
               1999             (3)                 23
               2000              -                  23
               2001              -                  23
 
  At  January 2, 2002, the Company's sole franchise agreement was with
Family  Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. ("Family") which, at that  date,
operated  23 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
follow:

                                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, Family was required to have 25 restaurants  in
operation, but operated only 23 restaurants at that date.   Under  the
terms  of  the  agreement, this noncompliance does  not  constitute  a
default,  but  does result in Family losing its exclusive  territorial
protection.   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
intends  to explore real estate options in Family's area of  operation
during 2002 and may open one or two Company-owned restaurants there in
2003.

  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 temporary 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" and "Mega Barr", and
their  related  designs with the United States  Patent  and  Trademark
Office.  All trademarks and service marks have stated expiration dates
ranging  from  August  2002  to  November  2008.   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.  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 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, various family leave mandates and other laws affecting
employment. 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 $6.55
per hour has recently been introduced  in  the U.S.  Congress.  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  6,  2002,  the  Company  employed  approximately  21,300
persons, of whom approximately 21,000 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.  Part-time employees who work at least 20  hours  per
week 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 2,  2002,  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 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;  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 2002 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 2, 2002,  all
restaurant  sites, except 16 properties under land leases, were  owned
by  the  Company.  The Company is also a party to one operating  lease
for a restaurant building and its underlying land.

  A  listing of the number of Ryan's restaurant locations by state  as
of  January  2,  2002 appears on page 5 of the Company's  2001  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 office, Attention: Secretary.

  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  2,  2002, five 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  September  2001 the Company received a proposed assessment  from
the  South  Carolina Department of Revenue ("DOR") in connection  with
the DOR's audits of the Company's state tax returns for the years 1994
through 1999.  The Company disagrees strongly with the DOR's findings,
intends  to  vigorously contest the assessment and has in  fact  filed
refund claims for substantially all of the years under audit.  The DOR
has  not  yet  issued a final determination.  Management  has  engaged
legal  counsel to represent the Company before the DOR and beyond,  if
necessary.  At this time, it is not possible to estimate the  ultimate
financial  outcome  to the Company.  In the event  of  an  unfavorable
outcome,  payment  of  the  assessment,  including  any  interest  and
penalties,  by  the Company to the DOR would not affect the  Company's
ability to meet its obligations or conduct its business.

  In  addition, from time to time, the Company is a defendant in legal
actions arising in the normal course of its 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
2001 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated by reference.

  At   March  6,  2002,  the  Company's  common  stock  was  held   by
approximately 12,000 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.
However, the payment of dividends solely in the Company's common stock
is permitted under the terms of the agreement.


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 2001  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  6  through  11  of  the
Company's  2001  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 commodities used in the preparation of  food  at  the
Company's  restaurants are not under purchase contract for  more  than
one  year in advance.  On January 28, 2000, the Company closed on  two
loan transactions that refinanced all existing debt balances and added
to  the Company's credit availability.  The first 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%.  The second 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%.  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  as
of  January  2,  2002.   The  Company does not  enter  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  2, 2002.  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")
as  of  January 2, 2002 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  2,  2002 due to the variable rate provisions of  the  related
debt  instruments.  During 2001, the variable rate debt had an average
interest rate of 6.1%.  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 2, 2002.

                           As of January 2, 2002
                         Expected Maturity Dates
                                                  There-       Fair
                    2002  2003  2004  2005   2006 after  Total Value
Liabilities (in millions)
Long-term debt -
 Variable rate       -      -     -   $103.0   -     -   103.0  103.0
  Average interest rate
                    3.2%   3.2%  3.2%    3.2%  -     -     3.2%
 Fixed rate          -      -     -    $18.8  18.8 37.4   75.0   79.7
  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 2001 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 May 1, 2002  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 May 1, 2002  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 May 1, 2002  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 May 1, 2002  under  the
headings "Election of Directors" and "Executive Compensation and Other
Information - Deferred Compensation - Salary Continuation Agreement."


                                PART IV


ITEM 14.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 16.

  (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.

                *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.

                10.21.1+  Amendment to the Franchise Agreement
                referred to at Exhibit 10.21, dated as of May 29,
                1992.

                10.21.2    Agreement between Ryan's Properties, Inc.
                and Family Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. dated July
		11, 1994: 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 October 3, 1996 to the
                Agreement between Ryan's Properties, Inc. and Family
                Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. dated July 11, 1994:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22.1 to the
                1999 10-K.

                10.21.4   Amendment dated August 31, 1999 to the
                Agreement between Ryan's Properties, Inc. and Family
                Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. dated July 11, 1994 and
                amended on October 17, 1994 and October 3, 1996:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22.2 to the
                1999 10-K.

                10.21.5+  Amendment to the Franchise Agreement
                referred to at Exhibit 10.21, dated as of January 30,
                2002.

                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 to the Credit Agreement
                referred to at Exhibit 10.23, dated as of November 9,
                2001.

                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. 2001
                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.

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

  (b)   On  October 9, 2001, November 13, 2001, December 10, 2001  and
        January  7,  2002,  the  Company filed  reports  on  Form  8-K
        regarding sales information for September 2001, October  2001,
        November 2001 and December 2001, respectively.

  (c)   The  response  to this portion of Item 14 is  submitted  as  a
        separate section of this report.

  (d)   The  response  to this portion of Item 14 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 28, 2002

                            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 28, 2002
Charles D. Way           Chief Executive Officer

/s/G. Edwin McCranie     Director and Executive   March 28, 2002
G. Edwin McCranie        Vice President

/s/James D. Cockman      Director              March 28, 2002
James D. Cockman

/s/Barry L. Edwards      Director              March 28, 2002
Barry L. Edwards

/s/Brian S. MacKenzie    Director              March 28, 2002
Brian S. MacKenzie

/s/Harold K. Roberts, Jr.   Director           March 28, 2002
Harold K. Roberts, Jr.

/s/James M. Shoemaker, Jr.  Director           March 28, 2002
James M. Shoemaker, Jr.

/s/Fred T. Grant, Jr.    Senior Vice President - Finance,   March 28,
2002
Fred T. Grant, Jr.       Treasurer and Assistant
                         Secretary (Principal Financial
                         and Accounting Officer)

                   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 2, 2002,
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 2001 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.