RYAN'S FAMILY STEAK HOUSES, INC.
             REPORTS NOVEMBER SALES INFORMATION

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Ryan's   Family  Steak  Houses,  Inc.  (NASDAQ:RYAN)   today
announced  that  average unit sales for  the  4-week  period
ended  December 1, 1999 ("November") represented an all-time
November  record.  This was the second consecutive month  in
which  a  monthly  average unit sales record  was  achieved.
Same-store  sales for November increased by  0.3%.   Details
follow:

                                     November 1999
                                      (Unaudited)

  Total sales                       $50,380,000
  Increase from prior year                  +4%

  Average unit sales:
  Same-store (open at least 18 mos.)      +0.3%
  All-store (all Ryan's units)            +1.2%

Management was pleased with November's sales performance  in
light  of the 1998's +5.2% comparison, which was the largest
same-store sales increase during 1998.

At  December  1,  1999, the Company owned and  operated  288
Ryan's.

The  Company's next accounting period consists of  4  weeks,
ending on December 29, 1999 (fiscal 1999 year-end).