<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND RELATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME OF BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AS OF AND FOR THE 26-WEEK
PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 23, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<MULTIPLIER>  1000
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-23-1998
<CASH>                                          22,629
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,201
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (221)
<INVENTORY>                                     15,291
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               101,600
<PP&E>                                       1,133,322
<DEPRECIATION>                               (371,305)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,057,422
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          191,289
<BONDS>                                        187,616
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,815
<OTHER-SE>                                     618,825
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,057,422
<SALES>                                        867,055
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               876,076
<CGS>                                          239,594
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  765,065
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   313
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,389
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 59,768
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,739
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,029
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,029
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.58