SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                             CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
                          TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                 August 12, 2004
                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

                            PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                    DELAWARE
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

         1-14770                                         43-1813160
(Commission File Number)                     (IRS Employer Identification No.)

                           3231 Southeast Sixth Avenue
                            Topeka, Kansas 66607-2207
               (Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

                                 (785) 233-5171
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)



Item 9 Regulation FD Disclosure and

Item 12 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

      On August 12, 2004, Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
issued a press release announcing its results for the second quarter of fiscal
year 2004, which ended July 31, 2004 and certain strategic initiatives. The full
text of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by
reference herein.

Exhibits:

     99.1 Press Release, dated August 12, 2004.



                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                                    PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.

Date: August 12, 2004                               By: /s/ Ullrich E. Porzig
                                                        -----------------------
                                                        Ullrich E. Porzig
                                                        Senior Vice President
                                                        Chief Financial Officer
                                                        and Treasurer



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

   Exhibit No.  Exhibit
   -----------  -------
      99.1      Press Release, dated August 12, 2004.