<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS OF FASTENAL
COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF, AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED, SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                      23,918,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              113,850,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,238,000
<INVENTORY>                                134,380,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           283,389,000
<PP&E>                                     151,827,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              50,012,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             388,470,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       42,295,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       379,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 340,796,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               388,470,000
<SALES>                                    557,779,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           557,779,000
<CGS>                                      267,470,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              267,470,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             3,339,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            100,638,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                38,815,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         61,823,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                61,823,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.63