Rick Ross is fighting back ... Ricky just hired 24-hour ARMED personal security to watch his back because of Monday's drive-by shooting according to TMZ.

Rick was already using armed bodyguards for protection at major events like concerts and public appearances ... but now he's decided he wants a full-time security staff so he's always protected.

Rick was the target in a drive-by shooting in Florida early Monday morning ...a car pulled up next to his Rolls-Royce and opened fire. Ross lost control of the vehicle during the incident and crashed into an apartment building.

Apparently Rick had been getting threats for a while ... but he wasn't too concerned.But after this he considers the shooting to be an "eye-opener" and will do whatever it takes to keep himself safe.