Exhibit 23.1






               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors
Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc.:

We  consent  to incorporation by reference in the  following
Registration  Statements  of our report  dated  January  30,
2002,  relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Ryan's
Family  Steak Houses, Inc. as of January 2, 2002 and January
3, 2001, and the related consolidated statements of earnings
and  cash  flows  for each of the years  in  the  three-year
period  ended  January 2, 2002, which report is incorporated
by  reference  in  the 2001 annual report on  Form  10-K  of
Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc.

Form S-8
No. 33-15924 - Ryan's Family Steak Houses,Inc.
               1987 Stock Option Plan

No. 33-53834 - Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc.
               1991 Stock Option Plan'

No. 333-67165- Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc.
                1998 Stock Option Plan



                          KPMG LLP


Greenville, South Carolina
March 28, 2002