<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains Summary Financial Information extracted from the
Quarterly Report for the three months ended March 31, 1997 of Carrols
Corporation and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statement.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                    $  9,121,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                             $  8,645,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                               $  2,189,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          $ 25,137,000
<PP&E>                                    $129,964,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            $ 64,850,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            $181,001,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                     $ 31,717,000
<BONDS>                                   $121,563,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                  $         10
<OTHER-SE>                                $ 18,966,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              $181,001,000
<SALES>                                   $ 58,305,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                          $ 58,388,000
<CGS>                                     $ 16,506,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                             $ 50,462,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        $  3,556,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          $ (1,109,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                             $   (369,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      $   (740,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                             $   (740,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0