Exhibit 32(b)


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Darden Restaurants,  Inc. ("Company")
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 29, 2004, as filed with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  ("Report"),  I,  Linda  J.  Dimopoulos,  Senior  Vice
President and Chief Financial  Officer of the Company,  certify,  pursuant to 18
U.S.C.  ss.1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that:

     1.   The Report fully  complies with the  requirements  of Section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2.   The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company.



                                        /s/ Linda J. Dimopoulos
                                        -----------------------------
                                        Linda J. Dimopoulos
                                        Senior Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer
                                        October 7, 2004