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                          (SHAW INDUSTRIES, INC. LOGO)




                               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, April 20, 2000, Shaw Industries, Inc., (NYSE--SHX) today
announced the preliminary results of its modified "Dutch Auction" tender offer
which expired April 19, 2000, at 12:00 midnight New York City time.

The Company said it expects to purchase approximately 3.9 million shares at a
purchase price of $15.50, the top price of the offer range. The shares to be
purchased represent approximately three percent of the Company's outstanding
shares prior to the offer. After purchasing the shares, the Company will have
approximately 128.8 million shares outstanding.

In the tender offer, which was originally commenced on March 13, 2000, and
scheduled to expire on April 7, 2000, the Company offered to purchase up to
12,000,000 shares of its common stock at a purchase price not greater than
$13.50 nor less than $11.50 per share. Prior to the expiration date of the
original offer, the Company, in response to changing conditions in the
marketplace amended the


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terms of the offer by extending the expiration date to April 19, 2000, and by
increasing the price range to not in excess of $15.50 nor less than $13.50 per
share.

In commenting on the results of the offer, Mr. Robert E. Shaw, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Shaw Industries, Inc. stated, "While we had hoped
that we would be able to purchase additional shares, we are encouraged by the
fact that our existing shareholders are positive about the longer term prospects
of Shaw Industries."

Earlier in the year on January 20, 2000, the Company's Board of Directors
increased the authorization for additional share repurchases to 15,000,000
shares. Following the completion of the tender offer, the Company will have
approximately 11.1 million shares remaining authorized under its stock
repurchase program.

The final determination of the actual shares to be purchased and the delivery of
the cash payment to the tendering shareholders are subject to final confirmation
and the proper delivery of all shares tendered and not withdrawn, including
shares tendered pursuant to guaranteed delivery procedures. A subsequent press
release will be issued by the Company as soon as practical setting forth the
final details of the transaction.

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.