UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K



                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                       Date of Report: September 18, 2001

               Date of Earliest Event Reported: September 18, 2001


                            DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-25464

                 VIRGINIA                               54-1387365
      (State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)               Identification No.)

                                500 Volvo Parkway
                              Chesapeake, VA 23320
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (757) 321-5000











Item 5. OTHER EVENTS.

On September 18, 2001, Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. issued a press release
announcing a limited share repurchase program. A copy of the press release
is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by this
reference.

Item 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (c) Exhibits

Exhibit #       Description

99.1            Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.'s press release issued September 18,
                2001.


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

DATE: September 18, 2001

                                    DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.


                                    By:     /s/ Frederick C. Coble
                                            --------------------------------
                                            Frederick C. Coble
                                            Chief Financial Officer