<ARTICLE>     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains Summary Financial Information extracted from the Annual 
Report for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 of Carrols Corporation 
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statement.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                          12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                 DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                      DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                                           $  1,314,000
<SECURITIES>                                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    $    793,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                                     $          0
<INVENTORY>                                                      $  2,163,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 $  7,767,000
<PP&E>                                                           $125,439,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   $ 63,356,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   $140,107,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            $ 23,214,000
<BONDS>                                                          $118,180,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                         $         10
<OTHER-SE>                                                       $ (9,162,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     $140,107,000
<SALES>                                                          $240,809,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 $241,125,000
<CGS>                                                            $ 68,031,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    $198,623,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               $ 14,209,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                  $  6,283,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                                     $  3,100,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                              $  3,183,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                                     $  3,183,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               0