SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Schedule 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.: 5 )*

Name of issuer: Ross Stores, Inc.

Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock

CUSIP Number: 778291603

Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement: December 31, 2004

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:   (X) Rule 13d-1(b) ( ) Rule 13d-1(c) ( ) Rule 13d-1(d)

        *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

        The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

(Continued on the following page(s))

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13G

CUSIP No.: 778291603

1.     NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
        S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

          Vanguard Windsor Funds - Vanguard Windsor Fund

2.     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE [LINE] IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

                A.        B. X

3.     SEC USE ONLY

4.     CITIZENSHIP OF PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

           Delaware

(For questions 5-8, report the number of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person with:)

5.     SOLE VOTING POWER

          10,425,900

6.     SHARED VOTING POWER

           -0-

7.     SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

           -0-

8.     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

          10,425,900

9.     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

          10,425,900

10.     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

            N/A

11.     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

            7.10

12.     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

             IV

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Act of 1934

Check the following [line] if a fee is being paid with this statement n/a

Item 1(a) — Name of Issuer:

Ross Stores, Inc.

Item 1(b) — Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices:

8333 Central AvenueNewark, CA 94560

Item 2(a) — Name of Person Filing:

Vanguard Windsor Funds - Vanguard Windsor Fund

Item 2(b) – Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, residence:

100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355

Item 2(c) –Citizenship:

The fund is a business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Delaware.

Item 2(d) — Title of Class of Securities:

Common Stock

Item 2(e) — CUSIP Number

778291603

Item 3 — Type of Filing:

This statement is being filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1. The person filing is an investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act.

Item 4 — Ownership:

    (a)        Amount Beneficially Owned:

                   10,425,900

    (b)        Percent of Class:

                     7.10

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    (c)        Number of shares as to which such person has:

                (i)     sole power to vote or direct to vote:     10,425,900

               (ii)     shared power to vote or direct to vote:     -0-

               (iii)     sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of:    -0-

               (iv)     shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:    10,425,900

Item 5 — Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class:

      Not applicable

Item 6 — Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person:

      Not applicable

Item 7 — Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired The Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company:

      Not applicable

Item 8 — Identification and Classification of Members of Group:

      Not applicable

Item 9 — Notice of Dissolution of Group:

      Not applicable

Item 10 — Certification:

        By signing below I certify than, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect.

Signature

        After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: February 11, 2005


Name:   Christopher Wightman        
Title:     Assistant Secretary

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