<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              AUG-2-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                          66,655
<SECURITIES>                                     1,349
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,301
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     86,428
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               163,568
<PP&E>                                         871,294
<DEPRECIATION>                                 163,308
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 873,473
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          100,858
<BONDS>                                         62,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        30,737
<OTHER-SE>                                     662,395
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   873,473
<SALES>                                        312,755
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               312,755
<CGS>                                          106,491
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  206,264
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               152,589
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,060
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,553
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,820
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,733
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,733
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .38