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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000029534-04-000010.txt : 20040128
<SEC-HEADER>0000029534-04-000010.hdr.sgml : 20040128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040128182838
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000029534-04-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040120
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RICE JEFFREY R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001277745

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11421
		FILM NUMBER:		04550249

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MISSION RIDGE
		CITY:			GOODLETTSVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37072

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOLLAR GENERAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000029534
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-VARIETY STORES [5331]
		IRS NUMBER:				610502302
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MISSION RIDGE
		CITY:			GOODLETTSVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37072
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158554000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MISSION RIDGE
		CITY:			GOODLETTSVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37072

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TURNER CAL
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710401

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TURNER J L & SON INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710401
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-20</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000029534</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DOLLAR GENERAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001277745</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RICE JEFFREY R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>100 MISSION RIDGE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GOODLETTSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37072</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP--Human Resources</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>761.3226</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>941.2142</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5406.682</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>709.6116</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>10.73</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-04-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-03-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12107</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.04</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-10-27</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-04-27</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6529</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.64</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-02-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>19145</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.8</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-04-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-04-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>11131</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.25</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-11-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5786</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.25</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-04-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13200</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.31</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-06-05</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-06-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3068</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.55</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-08-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-02-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8894</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.94</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-07-29</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-01-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13894</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.14</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-08-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7200</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.44</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-08-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25200</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">All of which represents shares held in the Dollar General Corporation Direct Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The shares of phantom stock are exercisable immediately.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">451.0705 shares of phantom stock become payable in cash upon the retiring person's termination of employment and 258.5411 shares of phantom stock become payable in cash upon the reporting person's termination of employment if certain age/length of service requirements are satisfied.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The shares of phantom stock are convertible into shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">12,955 shares became exercisable on April 1, 2000 and 6,190 shares become exercisable on August 22, 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">2,582 shares became exercisable on November 22, 2000, 2,578 shares became exercisable on April 1, 2002, and 626 shares become exercisable on May 22, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">8,800 shares became exercisable on April 1, 2003 and 4,400 shares become exercisable on October 4, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">The option vests in four equal annual installments beginning on August 12, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">The option vests in four equal annual installments beginning on August 26, 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Exhibit List.  Exhibit 24--Power of Attorney.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Susan S. Lanigan, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>section16powerofattorneyrice.htm
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>
<!doctype html public "-//IETF//DTD HTML//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>POWER OF ATTORNEY</TITLE>
<META NAME="author" CONTENT="cconnoll">
<META NAME="date" CONTENT="01/26/2004">
</HEAD>
<BODY style="line-height:12pt; font-size:10pt; color:#000000">
<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=center><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:36pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Susan S. Lanigan the undersigned&#146;s true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-14pt; text-indent:36pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>(1)</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:72pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned&#146;s capacity as an officer and/or director of Dollar General Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;), Forms 3, 4 and 5 in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-14pt; text-indent:36pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>(2)</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:72pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Form 3, 4 or 5 and timely file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority; and</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-14pt; text-indent:36pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>(3)</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:72pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact&#146;s discretion.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:36pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>The undersigned hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact&#146;s substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney and the rights and powers herein granted. The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, is not assuming, nor is the Company assuming, any of the undersigned&#146;s responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act o
f 1934.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:36pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 with respect to the undersigned&#146;s holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company, unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorney-in-fact.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:36pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 26<SUP>th</SUP> day of January 2004.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:252pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify><BR></P>
<TABLE cellspacing=0><TR><TD valign=top width=319.2>&nbsp;</TD><TD valign=top width=319.2><P style="margin:0pt; padding-bottom:3pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000" align=justify>/s/ Jeffrey R. Rice</P>
</TD></TR>
<TR><TD valign=top width=319.2>&nbsp;</TD><TD valign=top width=319.2><P style="margin:0pt; line-height:14pt; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt" align=justify>Jeffrey R. Rice</P>
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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
