<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000883976
<NAME> RARE HOSPITALITY INTERNATIONAL, ICN.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> blank
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> DEC-27-1999
<PERIOD-END> OCT-1-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 2,996
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 5,195
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 10,516
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 31,868
<PP&E> 210,147<F1>
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 265,133
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 44,377
<BONDS> 60,932
0
0
<COMMON> 122,132
<OTHER-SE> 36,222
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 265,133
<SALES> 343,278
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 343,567
<CGS> 123,043
<TOTAL-COSTS> 287,176
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 26,100
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,063
<INCOME-PRETAX> 24,969
<INCOME-TAX> 8,255
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,714
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 16,714
<EPS-BASIC> 0.92
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.87
<FN>
<F1>ASSET VALUES REPRESENT NET AMOUNTS.
</FN>
</TABLE>