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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 F2QvkvtHxktujJd3Yy00Qm3ekG0nONQBXebHz2BEuQFXxj6lGtGYraMrjrzJd/63
 LOPfWg99pdLzVmFtfms9Sg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-007163.txt : 20030909
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-007163.hdr.sgml : 20030909
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030909173113
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-007163
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030908
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030909

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			O SULLIVAN MICHAEL B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001262142
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-14678
		FILM NUMBER:		03888642

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8333 CENTRAL AVE
		CITY:			NEWARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94560-3433
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5105054841

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROSS STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000745732
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651]
		IRS NUMBER:				941390387
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8333 CENTRAL AVE
		CITY:			NEWARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94560-3433
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5105054841

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8333 CENTRAL AVENUE
		CITY:			NEWARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94560-3433
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-09-08</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000745732</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ROSS STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ROST</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001262142</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>O SULLIVAN MICHAEL B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8333 CENTRAL AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94560</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Senior VP</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-09-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>28613</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>28613</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified stock options</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>48.93</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-09-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>55181</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-09-08</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>55181</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>55181</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Shares awarded pursuant to 1988 Restrcited stock plan.Shares vest as to 12.5% 09/08/04, 28% 09/08/05, 28% 09/08/06 and 31.5% 09/08/07.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Option is  exercisable as it vests in monthly increments beginning the first full month from date of grant with a vested ratio of 1/72 for the first year, 2/72 for the second year and 3/72 for the third year.    </footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/Michael B OSullivan  Senior VP, Strategy</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-09-09</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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