<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CKE
RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
INCOME AS OF AND FOR THE SIXTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 20, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MAY
20, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-20-1996
<CASH>                                          16,712
<SECURITIES>                                     2,507
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,676
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      7,208
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                49,338
<PP&E>                                         280,098
<DEPRECIATION>                                 156,793
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 246,335
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,700
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           318
<OTHER-SE>                                     106,237
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   246,335
<SALES>                                        129,510
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               152,737
<CGS>                                          100,307
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  141,495
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (108)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,595
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,755
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,422
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,333
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,333
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .17<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .17
<FN>
<F1>For Purposes of This Exhibit, Primary Means Basic.
</FN>