<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., for the
quarterly periods ended September 11, 2000 and September 6, 1999, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-2001 JAN-03-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-04-2000 DEC-29-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-11-2000 SEP-06-1999
<CASH> 3,410 14,667
<SECURITIES> 0 60
<RECEIVABLES> 6,056<F1> 3,900<F1>
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 1,214 3,043
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 23,625 26,965
<PP&E> 89,050 238,029
<DEPRECIATION> 44,819 113,033
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 124,346 216,874
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 34,942 109,539
<BONDS> 0 24,121
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 9 9
<OTHER-SE> 48,569 69,056
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 124,346 216,874
<SALES> 124,667 107,980
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 137,113 112,091
<CGS> 114,825 96,917
<TOTAL-COSTS> 131,301 108,976
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (734) 354
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,135 5,267
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,142 (3,030)
<INCOME-TAX> (512) 111
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,654 (3,141)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 261 528
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,915 (2,613)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.20 (0.40)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.20 (0.40)
<FN>
<F1>(1) Receivables consist of --
Accounts Receivable - net $2,488 $3,410
Notes Receivable - net 3,568 490
------------------
Total $6,056 $3,900
</FN>
</TABLE>