<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF O'CHARLEY'S INC. FOR THE 16-WEEK PERIOD ENDED APRIL 21,
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   4-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-21-1996
<CASH>                                             634
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,445
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      6,816
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                11,974
<PP&E>                                          90,485
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 103,602
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,331
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,539
<OTHER-SE>                                      23,398
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   103,602
<SALES>                                         46,380
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                47,079
<CGS>                                           38,066
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   43,821
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   108
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 699
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,451
<INCOME-TAX>                                       882
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,569
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0