FIRST PACIFIC ADVISORS, INC.
11400 WEST OLYMPIC BOULEVARD - SUITE 1200 - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90064
WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL NUMBER
(310) 996-5458

February 9, 1999

VIA EDGAR

Filer Support
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Operations Center, Stop 0-7
6432 General Green Way
Alexandria, VA 22312

Re:  Schedule 13G
Relating to the Ownership of Ross Stores, Inc.

Gentlemen:

Enclosed herewith pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 is one (1) copy of Schedule 13G for the period ended December 31, 1998 
which has been filed through the EDGAR system.  No filing fee is required.

If you have any questions regarding this filing, please contact the 
undersigned.

Sincerely,

/s/ J. Richard Atwood

J. Richard Atwood
Senior Vice President

JRA:vb 

Enclosures

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    4   )*

Ross Stores, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)

778296103
(CUSIP Number)

Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement [ ].  (A fee 
is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement on file 
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of 
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent 
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.) 
(See Rule 13d-7).

*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).

PAGE 1 OF 4 PAGES

CUSIP No.  778296103         

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

First Pacific Advisors, Inc.
04-3118452

2)  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
(A)  [ ]
N/A                                      (B)  [ ]

3)  SEC USE ONLY

4)  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Massachusetts

(5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
NUMBER OF             
SHARES          (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY                                                     588,100
OWNED BY EACH           
REPORTING        (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH                                                     -0-

(8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,610,000

9)  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

2,610,000

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

N/A

11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

5.7

12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

IA

*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!

PAGE 2 OF 4 PAGES

ITEM 1(a)    NAME OF ISSUER.

Ross Stores, Inc.

ITEM 1(b)    ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:

8333 Central Avenue, Newark, CA 94560-3433

ITEM 2(a)    NAME OF PERSON FILING.

First Pacific Advisors, Inc.

ITEM 2(b)    ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE, OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE.

11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90064

ITEM 2(c)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION.

Massachusetts

ITEM 2(d)    TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES.

Common Stock

ITEM 2(e)    CUSIP NUMBER.

778296103

ITEM 3       REPORTING PERSON.

See Item 12 on cover page

ITEM 4       OWNERSHIP.

See Items 5 - 11 on cover page

ITEM 5       OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.

N/A

ITEM 6       OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.

N/A

ITEM 7      IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED
THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY.

N/A

PAGE 3 OF 4 PAGES

ITEM 8       IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.

N/A

ITEM 9       NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.

N/A

ITEM 10      CERTIFICATION.

By signing below I certify that, 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.

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.

February 9, 1999

Date

/s/ J. Richard Atwood

Signature

J. Richard Atwood, Senior Vice President

Name/Title

PAGE 4 OF 4 PAGES