UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25

                         Commission File Number 0-19599

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING


                                                                  
(Check One):  [_] Form 10-K  [X] Form 11-K    [_] Form 20-F    [_] Form 10-Q     [_] Form N-SAR


          For Period Ended:         December 31, 2001

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     [_]  Transition Report on Form 10-K
     [_]  Transition Report on Form 20-F
     [_]  Transition Report on Form 11-K
     [_]  Transition Report on Form 10-Q
     [_]  Transition Report on Form N-SAR
          For the Transition Period Ended:
                                          --------------------------------------

If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the item(s) to which the notification relates:
                                              ----------------------------------

PART I
REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Full name of registrant: World Acceptance Corporation 401(k) Plan

Former name if applicable:

Address of principal executive office (Street and number)

108 Frederick Street
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City, state and zip code:  Greenville, South Carolina  29607
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PART II - RULE 12b-25(b) AND (c)

 If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate.)

     (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
     could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;

     (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
     Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof will



[X]  be filed on or before the 15th calendar day following the prescribed due
     date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or
     portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following
     the prescribed due date; and
     (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c)
     has been attached if applicable.

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail why the Form 10-K, 11-K, 20-F 10-Q, N-SAR or
the transition report portion thereof could not be filed within the prescribed
time period. (Attach extra sheets if needed.)

The required financial statements could not be completed without unreasonable
effort or expense.

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

(1)  Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
     notification

       Jeff Ohly                 (864)  298-9801  Ext. 221
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       (Name)                 (Area Code) (Telephone Number)

(2)  Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
     of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
     registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the answer is
     no, identify report(s).

                                 [X] Yes  [_] No

(3)  Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
     the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
     earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion
     thereof?

                                 [_] Yes  [X] No

If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and
quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate
of the results cannot be made.

                 World Acceptance Corporation
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        (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

Date: June 21, 2002                                    /s/ J. W. Ohly
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               By:   J. W. Ohly, Treasurer