FORM 8-K


                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON D.C. 20549




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


                        Date of Report: October 8, 1998

               Date of Earliest Event Reported: October 5, 1998


                           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 October 5, 1998, Dollar Tree issued the following press release regarding net
sales for the third quarter of 1998:

"Dollar Tree Stores,  Inc., the nation's  largest $1.00  discount  variety store
chain,  reported net sales of $176.1 million for the quarter ended September 30,
1998. This represents an increase of $33.7 million,  or 23.6%, over net sales of
$142.4  million  during the same period last year.  Comparable  stores net sales
increased  2.9% for the same period.  Year-to-date  sales  increased  28.6%,  to
$500.7 million from $389.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998,
reflecting a 6.8% comparable store net sales increase.

"In  anticipation of a shortage of shipping  containers from Asian markets,  the
Company  accelerated  its  shipments  during  the  second  and  third  quarters.
Management  believes that the percentage increase in inventory levels at the end
of the third  quarter  will  slightly  exceed  the  overall  year-to-date  sales
increase,  placing  the  Company in a strong  in-stock  position  for the fourth
quarter selling season.

"Macon F. Brock, Jr., President and CEO, commented "We have positioned ourselves
for a successful fourth quarter. Our inventory is new and fresh, we have enjoyed
strong gross margins all year, and earnings are on track. We think our customers
will  appreciate  the quality and variety of our seasonal  and general  everyday
merchandise for the rest of the year."

"In other news,  it has also been  announced  that Dollar Tree has been added to
the S&P MidCap 400 Index as of October 1, 1998.

"Dollar Tree Stores,  Inc. is a leading  discount variety store chain offering a
wide assortment of quality  everyday  general  merchandise,  in many traditional
variety store categories,  at the $1.00 price point. Dollar Tree Stores operates
1,054  stores in 29 states as of September  30,  1998,  with 75 new stores and 1
closure in the third quarter.

"This news release contains  forward-looking  statements  regarding Dollar Tree,
such  as  expected  gross  margin,  earnings,   inventory  and  prospects.  Such
forward-looking  statements  are  subject  to certain  risks and  uncertainties,
including  various factors that may cause the Company's actual results to differ
materially  from  anticipated  results or other  expectations  described in such
statements.  Additionally,  forward-looking  statements  are  subject,  but  not
limited, to the risks indicated in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission."








                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

DATE: October 8, 1998


                                     DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.



                                     By: /s/ Frederick C. Coble
                                         -------------------------------
                                         Frederick C. Coble
                                         Senior Vice President, CFO