<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CBRL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE
SIX MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 29, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                        0001067294                    
<NAME>                                       CBRL GROUP, INC.       
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JUL-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 AUG-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   JAN-29-1999
<CASH>                                         1,443
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  3,838
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    101,087
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               111,992
<PP&E>                                         1,048,215
<DEPRECIATION>                                 195,137
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 980,930
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          91,201
<BONDS>                                        67,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       31,261
<OTHER-SE>                                     766,333
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   980,930
<SALES>                                        719,423
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               719,423
<CGS>                                          258,219
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  354,548
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               37,273
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,696
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                68,485
<INCOME-TAX>                                   25,269
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            43,216
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   43,216
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .70