<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CRACKER BARREL FOR THE 3 MONTHS ENDED NOVEMER 1, 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-3-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              AUG-3-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                NOV-1-1996
<CASH>                                            5543
<SECURITIES>                                      1356
<RECEIVABLES>                                     2586
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      77949
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 95992
<PP&E>                                          730525
<DEPRECIATION>                                  132157
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  695710
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            83672
<BONDS>                                          15500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         30308
<OTHER-SE>                                      554752
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    695710
<SALES>                                         258902
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                258902
<CGS>                                            89315
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   125194
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 14354
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  30403
<INCOME-TAX>                                     11553
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              18850
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     18850
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31