<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000883976
<NAME> RARE HOSPITALITY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> blank
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> DEC-27-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUL-02-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 6,418
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 4,559
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 10,049
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 33,530
<PP&E> 198,555<F1>
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 247,481
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 43,621
<BONDS> 52,732
0
0
<COMMON> 115,241
<OTHER-SE> 31,350
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 247,481
<SALES> 230,834
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 231,031
<CGS> 82,510
<TOTAL-COSTS> 191,887
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 17,299
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,047
<INCOME-PRETAX> 17,661
<INCOME-TAX> 5,850
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 11,811
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 11,811
<EPS-BASIC> 0.98
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.93
<FN>
<F1> ASSET VALUES REPRESENT NET AMOUNTS.
</FN>
</TABLE>