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 1, 1997
                                  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  5%  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 5, 1997,
was $350,595,000.
   
   The  number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock,
$1.00 Par Value, was 47,538,336 at March 5, 1997.

                  DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    Incorporated Document                    Location in Form 10-K

Portions of 1996 Annual Report of Shareholders   Parts I and II
Portions of Proxy Statement dated March 28, 1997    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 March 5,
1997,  258  Company-owned and 26 franchised Ryan's  Family  Steakhouse
restaurants (restaurants using the Ryan's Family Steakhouse format are
referred  to  hereafter as "Ryan's" or "Ryan's  restaurant")  were  in
operation.    The   Company  also  operated  2  other   test-concepts,
consisting of 2 restaurants in total, at March 5, 1997.  However, both
restaurants  are expected to be closed by mid-1997 (see "Expansion  of
Company-Owned Restaurants - Test Concepts").  Systemwide sales,  which
include  sales  by  franchised restaurants,  were  approximately  $604
million and $560 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively.  Sales by all
Company-owned  restaurants amounted to approximately $565  million  in
1996  and $513 million in 1995.  The Company, headquartered in  Greer,
South Carolina, was organized in 1977 and completed its initial public
offering in 1982.

  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 1996:

                                 All Concepts
                            Restaurant   Total Open
                    Year  Openings, Net at Year-End
                   1992        23           165
                   1993        29           194
                   1994        18           212
                   1995        19           231
                   1996        30           261

Operations - Ryan's

  General.   A  Ryan's  restaurant  is  a  family-oriented  restaurant
serving  a  wide  variety  of foods from its  Mega  Bar*  as  well  as
traditional  "steak  house" entrees, such as charbroiled  USDA  Choice
steaks,  hamburgers, chicken and seafood.  The Mega Bar* includes,  in
addition to 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 Bars* in  a  scatter  bar
format.   This format breaks the Mega Bar* into five island  bars  for
easier  customer access and more food variety.  All new  Ryan's  since
mid-1993 have opened with scatter bars, and the conversion of existing
Ryan's to the scatter bar format was completed in early-1996.
  
  Each  Ryan's operates seven days a week.  Typical hours of operation
are 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 average  customer  count  per
restaurant  during  1996 was approximately 7,280  per  week,  and  the
average  meal  price  (per  person) was  $6.10  (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  brick
building  of approximately 10,000 to 11,500 square feet.   While  most
Ryan's  have  interior  brick  walls,  the  interiors  of  the   newer
restaurants, commencing in August 1991, utilize sheet rock,  wallpaper
and  oak paneling.  The interior of most restaurants contains  two  or
three dining rooms, seating approximately 300 to 500 persons in total,
a  customer  ordering  area and a kitchen.  The focal  points  of  the
dining room are the centrally located scatter bars (referred to in the
restaurants as the Mega Bar*) and bakery bar.  An average  Ryan's  has
parking for approximately 180 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 consists of a
general  manager,  a  manager and two assistant managers.   Management
personnel begin employment at the manager trainee level and complete a
formal five-week training program at the Company's management training
center  in  Greer, South Carolina, prior to being placed in  assistant
manager positions.

  Each  restaurant  management team reports  to  an  area  supervisor.
Area  supervisors  normally oversee the operations of  four  to  eight
restaurants and report to one of eight regional directors, a  position
that  may be at the Vice President level and, in any case, reports  to
the  Vice  President-Operations.  Communication and support  from  all
corporate  office  departments  are  designed  to  assist   the   area
supervisors  and  regional  directors to  respond  promptly  to  local
concerns.
  
  All  regional  directors,  area supervisors,  general  managers  and
managers  participate in incentive bonus programs.   Bonuses  paid  to
restaurant  management are based principally upon  the  monthly  sales
volume  of  their  individual restaurant with  deductions  for  excess
spending  of  key expense items, such as food cost, payroll  and  cash
shortages.   The  bonus  program  for area  supervisors  and  regional
directors  is  based principally upon same-store sales, profitability,
"hidden  shopper"  (service feedback) scores and  certain  qualitative
factors.
  
  Advertising.    The   Company   has  not   relied   extensively   on
advertising,  expending  less  than one percent  of  restaurant  sales
during   each  of  the  years  1996,  1995  and  1994.   Nevertheless,
advertising activities in 1996 were significantly increased  from  the
prior   years'  levels  as  the  Company  ran  advertising  campaigns,
consisting  of  both television and radio, in 11 markets  covering  67
Ryan's.   Newspaper  ads  and billboards were used  in  certain  other
markets.  Management believes that the restaurant industry has  become
increasingly  competitive  over  the  past  several  years  and   that
advertising  will  become an important factor in the  development  and
retention of market share.  Based on current budgets, an expansion  of
advertising  expenditures  in 1997 is expected  with  media  campaigns
planned  for  markets covering approximately 40% of all  Company-owned
Ryan's.

Expansion of Company-Owned Restaurants

  General.   At  March  5, 1997, the Company owned  and  operated  258
Ryan's  and  two  "test-concept"  restaurants  for  a  total  of   260
restaurants.  During the remainder of 1997, 12 additional  Ryan's  are
scheduled to open, resulting in 15 new Company-owned Ryan's  in  1997.
Target sites for these new restaurants are spread fairly evenly across
the Company's current 21-state operating area.  The Company opened  30
restaurants  during 1996 (all Ryan's), compared to 24 (21  Ryan's  and
three  test-concept)  and 22 (20 Ryan's and two  test-concept)  during
1995  and 1994, respectively.  During 1996, no restaurants were closed
compared to five and four closures during 1995 and 1994, respectively.
  
  Test  Concepts.   Throughout  all of 1996,  the  Company  owned  and
operated  three different casual-dining concepts, consisting  of  five
restaurants  in total.  During the fourth quarter of 1996,  management
decided to close all five restaurants over the next several months and
not expand the associated concepts due to  unsatisfactory financial
performance.  At March 5, 1997,  three  of  the
restaurants had been closed with the other two closings expected by no
later  than  mid-1997.   The anticipated losses resulting  from  their
future  disposal  were charged to 1996 results  as  part  of  a  $13.3
million asset valuation charge recognized in accordance with Statement
of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  121,  "Accounting  for  the
Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets and for  Long-Lived  Assets  to  Be
Disposed  of."   Considerable  management  judgment  is  necessary  to
estimate  proceeds  from  disposal and, accordingly,  actual  proceeds
could  vary  significantly from such estimates.  Management  plans  to
actively market the closed units, but currently cannot estimate  their
expected disposal dates.
  
  Site  Selection.  The Company employs a real estate manager and uses
independent real estate brokers 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.   In
addition, site selection for a Ryan's restaurant is also influenced by
the  general  proximity  to  other Ryan's  in  order  to  improve  the
efficiency of the Company's area supervisors, advertising programs and
distribution network.
  
  Construction.  The Company presently engages non-affiliated  general
contractors  to  construct  most  of its  restaurants  on  a  lump-sum
contract basis.  The Company requires performance and payment bonds on
certain  building and site work contracts, depending on the  size  and
reputation  of  and Company history with the general  contractor,  and
closely  supervises  and  monitors the progress  of  all  construction
projects.  Other new restaurants are built with the Company acting  as
the  general  contractor.  Management anticipates that  the  Company's
role  as  general  contractor  will increase  in  future  years.   New
restaurants are generally completed approximately three to four months
from  the  commencement of construction.  The average cost  of  a  new
Ryan's  (land,  building  and  equipment)  constructed  in  1996   was
approximately $2.2 million.
  
  Restaurant  Opening.   When a new Ryan's 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.   New  franchises may be awarded to existing  franchisees
having  good  operating  results or 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
1996:

                                 Net
                             Restaurants   Total Open
                     Year  Opened (Closed)at Year-End
                     1992         0            35
                     1993       (1)            34
                     1994       (4)            30
                     1995       (4)            26
                     1996       (1)            25

  The  present franchise agreements have terms expiring in  2000  (one
restaurant)  and  2010 (24 restaurants), with renewal options  ranging
from  10  to  20  years, and provide for a continuing royalty  to  the
Company  of  three to four percent of gross receipts.  The  agreements
provide that the Company will furnish the franchisee all the necessary
information to construct, equip, manage and operate a restaurant under
the  Ryan's  Family  Steak  House name  or  derivative  thereof.   The
agreements generally provide for the construction and operation of one
restaurant with exclusive territorial protection within a one to  five
mile radius.
  
  The  franchise  agreement with Family Steak Houses of Florida,  Inc.
("Family")  provides for exclusive territorial protection  in  certain
Florida  counties as long as Family opens a specified  number  of  new
Ryan's.   During  the  fourth  quarter of 1993,  Family  informed  the
Company  that it would be unable to pay its royalty fees  from  August
through  December  1993,  and this nonpayment  condition  subsequently
continued  through  the  second quarter of 1994.   In  July  1994,  an
agreement  was reached with Family regarding both past-due and  future
royalty fees.  This agreement provided for a $236,000 cash payment  by
Family, the relinquishment of Family's exclusive development rights in
certain  counties in South Florida and the Florida panhandle  (subject
to first refusal and buy-back rights of Family), an $800,000 long-term
note  payable to the Company and a reduction in the royalty  fee  rate
from  4.25% to 3% until December 31, 2001, at which time the rate will
increase  to 4%.  The relinquishment of development rights was  valued
at  $500,000  and treated as a partial write-off of Family's  past-due
royalty  fees.   In addition, the agreement with Family decreased  the
required  number of Ryan's restaurants in operation to 24 through  the
end  of 1996 and to 25 at the end of 1997.  Pursuant to the agreement,
the required number of restaurants in operation will then increase  by
1  for each year after 1997.  All required payments from Family to the
Company  subsequent to the agreement have been received  in  a  timely
manner.   However,  due  to Family's payment  history,  the  Company's
accounting  policy regarding Family's royalty fees was changed  during
1994  to  a  cash  basis.   Accordingly,  all  royalty  fees  received
thereafter,  including  payments required  under  the  long-term  note
payable,  have been recognized as revenue when received.   In  January
1997, Family opened a new Ryan's, its 26th.
  
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
  
  The  Company has a centralized purchasing program which is  designed
to  ensure  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 two 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 and to take  advantage  of
favorable  purchasing opportunities, the Company  stockpiles  four  to
seven  weeks  supply  of  sirloin at  the  distributor.   The  Company
believes  that satisfactory sources of supply are generally  available
for all the items regularly used.

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's  Family  Steak House" and  "Mega  Bar,"  and  their
related  designs  with the United States Patent and Trademark  Office.
All  trademarks and service marks have stated expiration dates ranging
from  September 1997 to August 2002.  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 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  are in competition 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
posture,  it  should  be noted that during the  last  few  years  many
operators  have upgraded their restaurants to more closely  match  the
Ryan's format and particularly the Mega Bar*.  The Company is also  in
competition with many specialty food outlets and other food vendors.

Seasonality

  The  Company's operations are subject to some seasonal fluctuations.
When  compared  to average annual sales levels, sales  per  restaurant
generally  increase by approximately 5% during the  second  and  third
quarters and decrease by approximately 5% during the first and  fourth
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  Bar*  and  entree  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  the Fair Labor  Standards  Act  which
regulates  matters  such  as minimum wage requirements,  overtime  and
other  working conditions.  A large number of the Company's restaurant
personnel   are  paid  at  or  near  the  minimum  wage  level,   and,
accordingly, changes in the federal minimum wage affect the  Company's
labor costs.  Other changes to the minimum wage may also be legislated
at  the  state  level.  In July 1996, the U.S. Congress legislated  an
increase  in the Federal minimum wage from $4.25 per hour to $4.75  on
October  1, 1996 and then to $5.15 on September 1, 1997.  The  measure
effectively freezes the $2.13 rate for servers with the balance up  to
minimum  wage  made up in tips.  Management estimates that  the  $5.15
change  will  require  rate  changes  for  approximately  20%  of  the
Company's  team members and plans menu price increases  to  cover  the
higher payroll costs.
  
  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.
  
  The  Company's franchise operations are subject to a variety of laws
regulating  franchising.  The Federal Trade Commission has  adopted  a
rule  that imposes certain disclosure requirements on persons  engaged
in  the business of offering franchises.  Various states in which  the
Company  has  offered franchises have franchising  laws  that  require
registration  prior  to  offering  franchises  for  sale  and/or  that
regulate the rights of franchisees, including the circumstances  under
which   franchises  may  be  terminated.   Management   believes   its
operations  are in material compliance with all applicable franchising
laws and regulations.

Environmental Matters

  While  the  Company  is  not aware of any federal,  state  or  local
environmental regulations which will materially affect its  operations
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,  1997,  the  Company  employed  approximately  18,000
persons, of whom approximately 17,800 were restaurant personnel.   The
Company  strives  to maintain low turnover by offering  all  full-time
employees a very competitive benefit package, which includes life  and
health  insurance, vacation pay and a defined contribution  retirement
plan.   Part-time employees who work at least 15 hours  per  week  are
eligible  to  participate in the Company's life and  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  to  the
general   public   through  either  Company-operated   or   franchised
restaurants.  At March 5, 1997, 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.


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

  The  Company  owns  substantially all of its restaurant  properties,
each   of  which  is  a  free-standing  brick  building  that   covers
approximately  10,000  to  11,500  square  feet,  with   seating   for
approximately 300 to 500 persons and parking for approximately 150  to
250 cars on sites of approximately 75,000 to 130,000 square feet.   At
March  5, 1997, all restaurant sites, except 11 properties under  land
leases, were owned by the Company.
  
  A  listing of the number of Ryan's restaurant locations by state  as
of March 5, 1997 appears on page 2 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report
to  Shareholders  and is incorporated herein by reference. A  detailed
listing of Ryan's restaurant locations may be obtained without  charge
by  writing  to the Company's principal executive offices,  Attention:
Corporate Secretary.

  The  Company's  corporate offices consist of  two  office  buildings
(30,000  square feet and 16,000 square feet) and a 20,000 square  foot
warehouse facility.  These properties (land and building) are owned by
the Company and located in Greer, SC.

  From time to time, the Company offers for sale excess land that  was
acquired in connection with its restaurant properties.  Also, at March
5,  1997, six closed restaurant properties were offered for sale.  The
Company  believes  that the eventual disposition or nondisposition  of
all  such  properties  will  not materially  affect  its  business  or
financial condition, taken as a whole.


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

  From  time  to  time, the Company is a defendant  in  legal  actions
arising  in  the normal course of its business.  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 23 of the Company's
1996  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders and is incorporated  herein  by
reference.
  
  At   March  5,  1997,  the  Company's  common  stock  was  held   by
approximately 20,000 stockholders of record through nominee or  street
name accounts with brokers.
  
  The  Company  is party to a long-term credit agreement, expiring  in
June   2003,  with  a  group  of  banks  that  contains,  among  other
provisions,  requirements for the Company to maintain  a  minimum  net
worth  level  and  certain financial ratios.  While  not  specifically
prohibiting  the  payment of dividends, the aforementioned  provisions
represent a limitation on the Company's ability to do so.  At  January
1,  1997, the Company exceeded the most restrictive minimum net  worth
covenant by approximately $58.1 million.


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

  Selected financial data for the last five years is included  in  the
"Five  Year Financial Summary" on page 10 of the Company's 1996 Annual
Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.


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  5  through  9  of  the
Company's  1996  Annual  Report to Shareholders  and  is  incorporated
herein by reference.


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
11  through 21 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and
are incorporated herein 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 herein  by
reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement  for
the  Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 1, 1997  under  the
headings "Election of Directors" and "Executive Officers."
  
  
ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
  
  The  information required under this item is incorporated herein  by
reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement  for
the  Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 1, 1997  under  the
headings   "Election  of  Directors  -  Compensation  of   Directors",
"Compensation   Committee   Interlocks  and  Insider   Participation",
"Executive  Compensation  and  Other  Information",  "Report  of   the
Compensation  Committee and Stock Option Committee"  and  "Performance
Graph."
  
  
ITEM 12.SECURITY   OWNERSHIP   OF   CERTAIN  BENEFICIAL   OWNERS   AND
        MANAGEMENT.
  
  The  information required under this item is incorporated herein  by
reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement  for
the  Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 1, 1997  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 herein  by
reference to the Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy Statement  for
the  Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 1, 1997  under  the
headings "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation"
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 12.

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

      Exhibit #                    Description

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

                3.2        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").

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

                3.4        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).

                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, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 4.1.

                4.3        See Exhibit 10.18.

                *10.1      Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Incentive
                Stock Option Plan: Incorporated by reference to the
                Registration Statement of the Company filed with the
                SEC on Form S-8 (Commission file no. 2-83987).

                *10.2      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).

                *10.3      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).

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

                *10.5      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.

                *10.6      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.

                *10.7      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).

                *10.8      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").

                *10.9      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.

                *10.10     Split Dollar Agreement by and between the
                Company and John C. Jamison dated November 12, 1993:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 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     Executive Bonus Plan, commencing in 1994:
                Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the
                1993 10-K.

                *10.15     Executive Bonus Plan, commencing in fiscal
                year 1997.

                10.16      Agreement between Ryan's Properties, Inc.
                and Family Steak Houses of Florida, Inc. dated July
                11, 1994 and as amended on October 17, 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).

                10.17      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).

                10.18      Credit Agreement dated as of June 5, 1996
                among Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc., Wachovia Bank
                of Georgia, N.A., as Agent, and certain other banks.

                13.1       Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. 1996
                Report to Shareholders.

                21.1       Subsidiaries of the Company.

                23.1       Consent of Independent Auditors' with
                respect to Form S-8.

                27         Financial Data Schedule (electronic filing
                only).

                99.1       Ryan's Family Steak Houses, Inc. Proxy
                Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders,
                dated March 28, 1997.

                *          This is a management contract or
                compensatory plan or arrangement.
  
  (b)   On  November 13, 1996, the Company filed a report on Form  8-K
        regarding  the  Company's  unit growth  and  stock  repurchase
        plans  (referred to therein as "Focus 2000")  and  a  one-time
        charge  to  be  taken  during the fourth quarter  of  1996  in
        accordance  with  Statement of Financial Accounting  Standards
        No.  121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets
        and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed of."
  
  (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, 1997

                            By:/s/Fred T. Grant, Jr.
                            Fred T. Grant, Jr.
                            Vice President - Finance
                            (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, 1997
Charles D. Way           Chief Executive Officer

/s/G. Edwin McCranie     Director and Executive   March 28, 1997
G. Edwin McCranie        Vice President

/s/James D. Cockman      Director              March 28, 1997
James D. Cockman

/s/Barry L. Edwards      Director              March 28, 1997
Barry L. Edwards

/s/Brian S. MacKenzie    Director              March 28, 1997
Brian S. MacKenzie

/s/Harold K. Roberts, Jr.   Director           March 28, 1997
Harold K. Roberts, Jr.

/s/James M. Shoemaker, Jr.  Director           March 28, 1997
James M. Shoemaker, Jr.

/s/Fred T. Grant, Jr.    Vice President - Finance March 28, 1997
Fred T. Grant, Jr.       (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 1, 1997,
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 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders is not deemed "filed"  as
part of this report.

                            Page Reference
                            in Annual Report

Independent Auditors' Report    21

Statements of Earnings          11

Balance Sheets                  12

Statements of Cash Flows        13

Notes to Financial Statements 14-21

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