<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TRACTOR SUPPLY CO FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 
26, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1998
<CASH>                                           6,372
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,725
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    187,837
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               207,318
<PP&E>                                          85,722
<DEPRECIATION>                                  27,650
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 267,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          109,649
<BONDS>                                         41,787
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            70
<OTHER-SE>                                     114,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   267,600
<SALES>                                        442,296
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               442,296
<CGS>                                          330,126
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  330,126
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                93,121
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,368
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,681
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,878
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,803
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,803
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.11