<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
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          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>