<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000935703-03-000099
<TYPE>3
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20031211
<FILING-DATE>20031215
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>DOLLAR TREE STORES INC
<CIK>0000935703
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5331
<IRS-NUMBER>541387365
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>VA
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>500 VOLVO PARKWAY
<STREET2>N/A
<CITY>CHESAPEAKE
<STATE>VA
<ZIP>23320
<PHONE>(757) 321-5000
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>500 VOLVO PARKWAY
<CITY>CHESAPEAKE
<STATE>VA
<ZIP>23320
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>WHIDDON THOMAS E
<CIK>0001196196
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>3
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-25464
<FILM-NUMBER>031055359
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O SONOCO PRODUCTS CO
<STREET2>1 N SECOND STREET
<CITY>HARTSVILLE
<STATE>SC
<ZIP>29550
<PHONE>8433837000
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O SONOCO PRODUCTS CO
<STREET2>1 N SECOND STREET
<CITY>HARTSVILLE
<STATE>SC
<ZIP>29550
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<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>2003-12-11</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000935703</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DOLLAR TREE STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DLTR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001196196</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WHIDDON THOMAS E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>500 VOLVO PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHESAPEAKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23320</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.99</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-12-11</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-12-11</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Immediately exercisable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Options expire at the earlier of one year after ceasing to be a director; three years after death,disability or retirement; or ten years after grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Frederick C. Coble, attorney-in-fact for Thomas E. Whiddon, by Power of Attorney dated Dec 11, 2003</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
