<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule  contains summary  financial  information  extracted from the
consolidated  financial statements of Darden Restaurants,  Inc. and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              MAY-27-2001
<PERIOD-START>                                 MAY-29-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   AUG-27-2000
<CASH>                                             32,381
<SECURITIES>                                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      27,759
<ALLOWANCES>                                         (350)
<INVENTORY>                                       176,066
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  316,734
<PP&E>                                          2,659,688
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (1,034,072)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  2,046,330
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             673,295
<BONDS>                                           303,660
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   0
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                        1,362,694
<OTHER-SE>                                       (390,486)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    2,046,330
<SALES>                                         1,018,205
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                1,018,205
<CGS>                                             331,037
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     789,170
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       40
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  6,274
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    87,838
<INCOME-TAX>                                       30,917
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                56,921
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                       56,921
<EPS-BASIC>                                           .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         .46