<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of Darden Restaurants, Inc. and subsidiaries
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-24-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-24-1997
<CASH>                                          30,355
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,219
<ALLOWANCES>                                       250
<INVENTORY>                                    122,274
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               320,602
<PP&E>                                       2,388,510
<DEPRECIATION>                               (870,908)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,933,237
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          452,727
<BONDS>                                        311,417
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,269,237
<OTHER-SE>                                   (183,276)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,933,237
<SALES>                                        809,331
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               809,331
<CGS>                                          265,950
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  647,711
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     7
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,693
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,250
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,842
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,408
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,408
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.16