<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TRACTOR SUPPLY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           9,189
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,876
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    266,761
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               291,706
<PP&E>                                         122,519
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (42,435)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 375,529
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          129,420
<BONDS>                                         95,969
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            70
<OTHER-SE>                                     149,189
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   375,529
<SALES>                                        555,301
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               555,301
<CGS>                                          410,995
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  410,995
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               121,963
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,337
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,006
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,312
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,694
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,694
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.22