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                                PRESS RELEASE FOR
                              TRADE/BUSINESS MEDIA




        FOR:              SHAW INDUSTRIES, INC.
                          DALTON, GA  30722-2128

        FROM:             SHAW INDUSTRIES, INC.
                          P.O. DRAWER 2128
                          DALTON, GA  30722-2128
                          TELEPHONE (706) 275-3126
                          FAX (706) 275-3735
                          CONTACT:  JULIUS SHAW

                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


DALTON, GEORGIA, March 27, 2000, Shaw Industries, Inc. (NYSE:SHX) announced
today that it had reached an agreement to sell Shaw Industries Australia Pty.
Ltd. (the Company's wholly-owned Australian subsidiary) to Feltex Carpets
Limited, of New Zealand. The transaction is valued at $120 million Australian
(approximately $73 million U.S.), including the assumption of debt. The
transaction is subject to governmental approvals in Australia.

The operations of Shaw Industries Australia will continue to be included in the
consolidated results of operations of Shaw Industries until closing which is
expected to occur during the Company's second quarter of 2000.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT: Except for historical information contained herein, the
matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within
the meaning of ss.27A


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of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor
provisions of that Act. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from any such statement. These risks and uncertainties, and
assumptions concerning the company's future operations and performance, could
prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate.


Shaw Industries, Inc. (www.shawinc.com) is the world's largest manufacturer of
tufted broadloom carpet. Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, Shaw sells carpeting
and rugs for residential and commercial applications throughout the United
States and exports to most markets worldwide. Shaw markets its residential
products under such brand names and trademarks as Cabin Crafts, Couture by
Sutton, Cumberland, Expressive Designs, Home Foundations, Philadelphia, Queen,
ShawMark, Sutton, TrustMark, Tuftex, and Shaw Rugs. Shaw markets its commercial
products under the names shaw/commercial, shaw/stratton, shaw/networx,
shaw/hospitality, shaw/rugs, Designweave, Patcraft, and Queen Commercial.
Through its network of commercial dealers known as Shaw Contract Flooring
Services, Shaw also sells commercial flooring products directly and provides
installation and project management services. Shaw also offers laminate flooring
through the Decades brand and ceramic tile through Shaw Ceramics.



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