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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Jr0jm6RZrtUa/hZUcQKu2sbshktC61nzX4FbEMNlnx1+ktA7Ir/slTDiF/GYzFfT
 pYxSGo68NXsYeACfA54oNQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000355622-03-000029.txt : 20031028
<SEC-HEADER>0000355622-03-000029.hdr.sgml : 20031028
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031028132547
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000355622-03-000029
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031022
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031028

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WAY CHARLES D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001013362

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10943
		FILM NUMBER:		03960409

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		405 LANCASTER AVE
		CITY:			GREER
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29652
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8648791000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RYANS FAMILY STEAKHOUSES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000355622
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				570657895
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			SC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0101

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		405 LANCASTER AVE
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 100
		CITY:			GREER
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29652
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8648791000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		405 LANCASTER AVE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 100
		CITY:			GREER
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29652
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-22</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000355622</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RYANS FAMILY STEAKHOUSES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RYAN</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001013362</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WAY CHARLES D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>405 LANCASTER AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>SC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>29650</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>President</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>12.67</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-10-22</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>40000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>12.67</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2004-04-22</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-10-22</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitl
e><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>40000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>380000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes/><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Charles D. Way</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-28</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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