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  November  28,  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
                                       January 6, 2005