<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 25, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-27-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-25-1999
<CASH>                                           8,152
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,493
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    234,831
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               257,256
<PP&E>                                         101,991
<DEPRECIATION>                                  33,116
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 329,379
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          133,450
<BONDS>                                         61,145
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            70
<OTHER-SE>                                     131,914
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   329,379
<SALES>                                        499,985
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               499,985
<CGS>                                          370,651
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  370,651
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               107,030
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,589
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,715
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,083
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,632
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,632
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.31