<TABLE> <S> <C>

<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 6, 1999 and September 6, 1998, 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-03-2000                      DEC-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                      DEC-29-1998                      DEC-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                        SEP-06-1999                      SEP-06-1998
<CASH>                                   14,667                            5,666
<SECURITIES>                                 60                           24,353
<RECEIVABLES>                             3,900<F1>                        3,653<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                  0                                0
<INVENTORY>                               3,043                            1,075
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         26,965                           11,566
<PP&E>                                  238,029                          114,352
<DEPRECIATION>                          113,033                           50,277
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          216,874                          128,438
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   109,539                           20,174
<BONDS>                                  24,121                           65,597
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         0                                0
<PREFERRED>                                   0                                0
<COMMON>                                      9                            2,960
<OTHER-SE>                               69,056                           35,386
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            216,874                          128,438
<SALES>                                 107,980                           97,640
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        112,091                          101,410
<CGS>                                    96,917                           87,652
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           108,976                           98,637
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            354                              462
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              0                              885
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        5,267                            5,041
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          (2,502)                          (3,615)
<INCOME-TAX>                                111                               78
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      (2,613)                          (3,693)
<DISCONTINUED>                                0                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               0                                0
<CHANGES>                                     0                                0
<NET-INCOME>                             (2,613)                          (3,693)
<EPS-BASIC>                             (0.40)                           (0.60)
<EPS-DILUTED>                             (0.40)                           (0.60)
<FN>
Footnote:
<F1>
================================================================================
     Receivables consist of --
     Accounts Receivable - net        $   3,410                        $   2,939
     Notes Receivable - net                 490                              714
                                      ------------------------------------------
     Total                            $   3,900                        $   3,653
                                      ==========================================
</FN>


</TABLE>