

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    FORM 11-K

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                                  ANNUAL REPORT
                             PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)
                      OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
     OF 1934.
     [NO FEE REQUIRED].

                    For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2001.

                                       OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION  15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
     OF 1934.
     [NO FEE REQUIRED].

              For the transition period from ........... to ...........

                         Commission File Number 1-13666



     A.  Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from
         that of the issuer named below:

                               Darden Savings Plan

     B.  Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the
         address of its principal executive office:

                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                            5900 Lake Ellenor Drive
                             Orlando, Florida 32809


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>


                              REQUIRED INFORMATION

The following financial statements for the plan are being furnished herewith:

Independent Auditors' Report.

Audited  statement of net assets available for benefits with fund information as
of April 30, 2001 and 2000,  prepared in accordance with the financial reporting
requirements of ERISA.

Audited  statement of changes in net assets  available  for  benefits  with fund
information for the years ended April 30, 2001, and 2000, prepared in accordance
with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA.

Notes to financial statements.

Schedule 1 - Schedule  of assets  held for  investment  purposes  at end of year
April 30, 2001.

Schedule 2 - Schedule of reportable transactions, year ended April 30, 2001.

                                       2

<PAGE>








                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                 Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules

                             April 30, 2001 and 2000


                   (With Independent Auditors' Report Thereon)


                                       3
<PAGE>

KPMG
    111 North Orange Avenue, Suite 1600
    P.O. Box 3031
    Orlando, FL  32802

                          Independent Auditors' Report


Financial Fiduciary Committee
   Darden Restaurants, Inc.:


We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits
with fund  information  of the Darden  Savings Plan (the "Plan") as of April 30,
2001 and 2000, and the related  statement of changes in net assets available for
benefits  with fund  information  for the years  ended  April 30, 2001 and 2000.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management.  Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the  United  States of  America.  Those  standards  require  that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a
test basis,  evidence  supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of
April 30, 2001 and 2000,  and the changes in net assets  available  for benefits
for the years ended  April 30,  2001 and 2000,  in  conformity  with  accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits  were  performed  for the  purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedules of assets held
for investment purposes at end of year and reportable transactions are presented
for the purpose of additional  analysis and are not a required part of the basic
financial   statements  but  are  supplementary   information  required  by  the
Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations  for Reporting and Disclosure  under
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The fund information in the
statements of net assets  available for benefits and the statement of changes in
net assets  available  for  benefits is  presented  for  purposes of  additional
analysis  rather than to present the net assets  available for plan benefits and
changes  in  net  assets  available  for  plan  benefits  of  each  fund.  These
supplemental  schedules are the  responsibility  of the Plan's  management.  The
supplemental  schedules and fund information have been subjected to the auditing
procedures  applied in the audits of the basic financial  statements and, in our
opinion,  are fairly  stated in all  material  respects in relation to the basic
financial statements taken as a whole.



August 31, 2001


                                       4

<PAGE>






                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

      Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                                 April 30, 2001

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Participant directed
                                                       --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         American Express                              American Express
                                                       Trust Stable Capital        Pimco Total        Trust Equity Index
                                                              Fund II              Return Fund              Fund I
                                                       ---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>                         <C>                <C>

Assets

Investments, at fair value:
   Short-term investments, at cost
     which approximates fair value                          $          --          $         --           $         --
   American Express Trust Stable Capital Fund II               37,609,731                    --                     --
   Pimco Total Return Fund                                             --             4,010,250                     --
   American Express Trust Equity Index Fund I                          --                    --             42,250,231
   T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund                                  --                    --                     --
   EuroPacific Growth Fund                                             --                    --                     --
   Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc.                            --                    --                     --
   Participant loans                                                   --                    --                     --
                                                            -------------          ------------           ------------
       Total investments                                       37,609,731             4,010,250             42,250,231
                                                            -------------          ------------           ------------

Receivables:
   Participant contributions                                       71,560                17,332                100,291
   Employer contribution                                               --                    --                     --
   Accrued dividend and interest                                       --                    --                     --
                                                            -------------          ------------           ------------
       Total receivables                                           71,560                17,332                100,291
                                                            -------------          ------------           ------------
         Total assets                                          37,681,291             4,027,582             42,350,522
                                                            -------------          ------------           ------------

Liabilities

ESOP Loan                                                              --                    --                     --
Interest payable                                                       --                    --                     --
                                                            -------------          ------------           ------------
         Total liabilities                                             --                    --                     --
                                                            -------------          ------------           ------------

         Net assets available for benefits                  $  37,681,291          $  4,027,582           $ 42,350,522
                                                            =============          ============           ============

Number of participants (unaudited)                                  7,241                 2,968                  8,945
                                                            =============          ============           ============


</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       5

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  Non-participant
                                Participant directed                                 directed
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
     T. Rowe Price                             Company          Participant
       Small Cap          EuroPacific           Common              Loan               ESOP
       Stock Fund         Growth Fund         Stock Fund            Fund               Fund               Total
   ------------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
   ------------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
<S>  <C>                 <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>                <C>





     $           --      $           --     $      329,205     $           --      $      506,315     $      835,520
                 --                  --                 --                 --                  --         37,609,731
                 --                  --                 --                 --                  --          4,010,250
                 --                  --                 --                 --                  --         42,250,231
         17,241,604                  --                 --                 --                  --         17,241,604
                 --          11,551,582                 --                 --                  --         11,551,582
                 --                  --         12,969,779                 --         268,567,237        281,537,016
                 --                  --                 --          5,783,158                  --          5,783,158
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
         17,241,604          11,551,582         13,298,984          5,783,158         269,073,552        400,819,092
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------


             42,823              34,956             31,697                 --                  --            298,659
                 --                  --                 --                 --             206,424            206,424
                 --                  --                 --                 --             399,431            399,431
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
             42,823              34,956             31,697                 --             605,855            904,514
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
         17,284,427          11,586,538         13,330,681          5,783,158         269,679,407        401,723,606
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------



                 --                  --                 --                 --          44,455,000         44,455,000
                 --                  --                 --                 --              92,729             92,729
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
                 --                  --                 --                 --          44,547,729         44,547,729
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------

     $   17,284,427      $   11,586,538     $   13,330,681     $    5,783,158      $  225,131,678     $  357,175,877
     ==============      ==============     ==============     ==============      ==============     ==============

              8,452               5,366              3,829              1,861              11,582
     ==============      ==============     ==============     ==============      ==============


</TABLE>
                                       6
<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

      Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                                 April 30, 2000
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                            Participant directed
                                                       --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         American Express                              American Express
                                                       Trust Stable Capital        Pimco Total        Trust Equity Index
                                                              Fund II              Return Fund              Fund I
                                                       ---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------

<S>                                                    <C>                         <C>                <C>

Assets

Investments, at fair value:
   Short-term investments, at cost
     which approximates fair value                          $          --          $          --          $          --
   American Express Trust Stable Capital Fund II               35,801,149                     --                     --
   Pimco Total Return Fund                                             --              1,780,686                     --
   American Express Trust Equity Index Fund I                          --                     --             49,344,533
   T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund                                  --                     --                     --
   EuroPacific Growth Fund                                             --                     --                     --
   Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc.                            --                     --                     --
   Participant loans                                                   --                     --                     --
                                                            -------------          -------------          -------------
       Total investments                                       35,801,149              1,780,686             49,344,533
                                                            -------------          -------------          -------------

Receivables:
   Participant contributions                                       73,793                 11,408                106,181
   Employer contribution                                              --                     --                     --
   Accrued dividend and interest                                       --                     --                     --
                                                            -------------          -------------          -------------
       Total receivables                                           73,793                 11,408                106,181
                                                            -------------          -------------          -------------
         Total assets                                          35,874,942              1,792,094             49,450,714
                                                            -------------          -------------          -------------

Liabilities

ESOP Loan                                                              --                     --                     --
Interest payable                                                       --                     --                     --
                                                            -------------          -------------          -------------
         Total liabilities                                             --                     --                     --
                                                            -------------          -------------          -------------

         Net assets available for benefits                  $  35,874,942          $   1,792,094          $  49,450,714
                                                            =============          =============          =============

Number of participants (unaudited)                                  7,548                  2,437                  9,273
                                                            =============          =============          =============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       7
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                               Non-participant
                                Participant directed                                 directed
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
     T. Rowe Price                             Company          Participant
       Small Cap          EuroPacific           Common              Loan               ESOP
       Stock Fund         Growth Fund         Stock Fund            Fund               Fund               Total
   ------------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
   ------------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
<S>  <C>                 <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>                <C>





     $           --      $           --     $      521,230     $           --      $      417,498     $      938,728
                 --                  --                 --                 --                  --         35,801,149
                 --                  --                 --                 --                  --          1,780,686
                 --                  --                 --                 --                  --         49,344,533
         13,504,224                  --                 --                 --                  --         13,504,224
                 --          14,993,199                 --                 --                  --         14,993,199
                 --                  --          8,930,489                 --         201,816,293        210,746,782
                 --                  --                 --          5,355,162                  --          5,355,162
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
         13,504,224          14,993,199          9,451,719          5,355,162         202,233,791        332,464,463
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------


             38,654              38,565             30,704                 --                  --            299,305
                 --                  --                 --                 --             365,650            365,650
                 --                  --                 --                 --             440,777            440,777
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
             38,654              38,565             30,704                 --             806,427          1,105,732
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
         13,542,878          15,031,764          9,482,423          5,355,162         203,040,218        333,570,195
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------



                 --                  --                 --                 --          52,600,000         52,600,000
                 --                  --                 --                 --             160,956            160,956
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
                 --                  --                 --                 --          52,760,956         52,760,956
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------

         13,542,878          15,031,764          9,482,423          5,355,162         150,279,262        280,809,239
     ==============      ==============     ==============     ==============      ==============     ==============

              8,555               5,401              3,959              1,756              12,059
     ==============      ==============     ==============     ==============      ==============

</TABLE>
                                       8

<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

 Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                                 April 30, 2001
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                            Participant directed
                                                     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        American Express                               American Express
                                                      Trust Stable Capital         Pimco Total        Trust Equity Index
                                                             Fund II               Return Fund              Fund I
                                                     ------------------------ ---------------------- ----------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                         <C>                 <C>

Additions to net assets attributed to:
   Net investment income (loss):
     Net appreciation (depreciation) in
       fair value of investments                         $     2,140,346          $        89,427        $    (6,446,695)
     Dividends and interest                                           --                  163,921                     --
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Net investment income (loss)                          2,140,346                  253,348             (6,446,695)
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

   Participant loan activity during the year:
     Withdrawals                                                (818,085)                 (96,437)            (1,344,570)
     Repayments (including interest)                             706,405                   99,656              1,120,818
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Total loan activity                                    (111,680)                   3,219               (223,752)
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

   Contributions:
     Participants                                              3,841,550                  746,483              5,730,695
     Employer                                                        --                       --                     --
     Forfeitures                                                 (20,826)                      --                   (120)
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Total contributions                                   3,820,724                  746,483              5,730,575
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Total additions, net                                  5,849,390                1,003,050               (939,872)
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

Deductions from net assets attributed to:
   Interest expense                                                   --                       --                     --
   Administrative expenses                                        (8,253)                    (386)                (5,483)
   Payments due to resignations,
     retirements, withdrawals and deaths                      (4,715,999)                (440,565)            (4,684,869)
   Transfers between funds                                       681,211                1,673,389             (1,469,968)
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Total deductions, net                                (4,043,041)               1,232,438             (6,160,320)
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

Net assets available for benefits:

   Beginning of year                                          35,874,942                1,792,094             49,450,714
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

   End of year                                           $    37,681,291          $     4,027,582        $    42,350,522
                                                         ===============          ===============        ===============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       9


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                  Non-participant
                                Participant directed                                 directed
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
     T. Rowe Price                             Company          Participant
       Small Cap          EuroPacific           Common              Loan               ESOP
       Stock Fund         Growth Fund         Stock Fund            Fund               Fund               Total
   ------------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
   ------------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------

<S>  <C>                 <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>                <C>


     $     (467,636)     $   (4,169,359)    $    4,258,177     $           --      $   89,199,138     $   84,603,398
          1,736,828           1,374,818             38,999                 --             836,843          4,151,409
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
          1,269,192          (2,794,541)         4,297,176                 --          90,035,981         88,754,807
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------


           (467,392)           (482,473)          (603,335)         3,812,292                  --                 --
            445,423             412,417            424,496         (2,688,586)                 --            520,629
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
            (21,969)            (70,056)          (178,839)         1,123,706                  --            520,629
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------


          2,348,790           2,095,577          1,600,145                 --                  --         16,363,240
                 --                  --                 --                 --          10,422,917         10,422,917
                (22)                 (7)                --                 --                  --            (20,975)
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
          2,348,768           2,095,570          1,600,145                 --          10,422,917         26,765,182
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
          3,595,991            (769,027)         5,718,482          1,123,706         100,458,898        116,040,618
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------


                 --                  --                 --                 --          (3,188,715)        (3,188,715)
             (1,988)             (1,590)            (2,320)                --            (411,413)          (431,433)

         (1,768,736)         (1,589,188)        (1,337,897)          (695,710)        (20,820,868)       (36,053,832)
          1,916,282          (1,085,421)          (530,007)                --          (1,185,486)                --
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
            145,558          (2,676,199)        (1,870,224)          (695,710)        (25,606,482)       (39,673,980)
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------



         13,542,878          15,031,764          9,482,423          5,355,162         150,279,262        280,809,239
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------

     $   17,284,427      $   11,586,538     $   13,330,681     $    5,783,158      $  225,131,678     $  357,175,877
     ==============      ==============     ==============     ==============      ==============     ==============


</TABLE>
                                       10
<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

 Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                                 April 30, 2000
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Participant directed
                                                     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        American Express                               American Express
                                                      Trust Stable Capital         Pimco Total        Trust Equity Index
                                                             Fund II               Return Fund              Fund I
                                                     ------------------------ ---------------------- ----------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                         <C>                 <C>

Additions to net assets attributed to:
   Net investment income (loss):
     Net appreciation (depreciation) in
       fair value of investments                         $     2,082,128          $       (81,878)       $     4,461,999
     Dividends and interest                                           --                  103,198                     --
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Net investment income (loss)                          2,082,128                   21,320              4,461,999
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

   Participant loan activity during the year:
     Withdrawals                                                (766,259)                 (98,786)            (1,461,942)
     Repayments (including interest)                             552,869                   62,220                866,763
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Total loan activity                                    (213,390)                 (36,566)              (595,179)
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

   Contributions:
     Participants                                              4,282,853                  718,495              6,312,772
     Employer                                                        --                       --                     --
     Forfeitures                                                  11,033                       --                     --
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Total contributions                                   4,293,886                  718,495              6,312,772
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Total additions, net                                  6,162,624                  703,249             10,179,592
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

Deductions from net assets attributed to:
   Interest expense                                                   --                       --                     --
   Administrative expenses                                        (8,896)                    (393)                (6,823)
   Payments due to resignations,
     retirements, withdrawals and deaths                      (5,258,960)                (279,741)            (6,432,114)
   Transfers between funds                                    (1,191,163)                (503,909)              (368,752)
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------
         Total deductions, net                                (6,459,019)                (784,043)            (6,807,689)
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

Net assets available for benefits:

   Beginning of year                                          36,171,337                1,872,888             46,078,811
                                                         ---------------          ---------------        ---------------

   End of year                                           $    35,874,942          $     1,792,094        $    49,450,714
                                                         ===============          ===============        ===============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       11




<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  Non-participant
                                Participant directed                                 directed
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
     T. Rowe Price                             Company          Participant
       Small Cap          EuroPacific           Common              Loan               ESOP
       Stock Fund         Growth Fund         Stock Fund            Fund               Fund               Total
   ------------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
   ------------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
<S>  <C>                 <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>



     $    2,218,856      $    3,115,760     $   (1,440,151)    $           --     $   (47,202,944)   $   (36,846,230)
            516,655             523,794             35,448                 --             925,325          2,104,420
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
          2,735,511           3,639,554         (1,404,703)                --         (46,277,619)       (34,741,810)
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------


          (428,490)           (532,586)          (524,858)         3,812,921                  --                 --
            288,512             263,859            375,094         (1,993,954)                 --            415,363
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
           (139,978)           (268,727)          (149,764)         1,818,967                  --            415,363
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------


          2,222,710           1,934,148          1,987,050                 --                  --         17,458,028
                 --                  --                 --                 --          10,196,647         10,196,647
                 --                  --                 --                 --                  --             11,033
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
          2,222,710           1,934,148          1,987,050                 --          10,196,647         27,665,708
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
          4,818,243           5,304,975            432,583          1,818,967         (36,080,972)        (6,660,739)
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------


                 --                  --                 --                 --          (3,429,776)        (3,429,776)
             (2,118)             (1,668)            (2,511)                --            (496,329)          (518,738)

         (1,729,120)         (1,257,145)        (1,445,910)          (541,528)        (13,547,736)       (30,492,254)
           (260,536)          2,301,118            774,864                 --            (751,622)                --
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------
         (1,991,774)          1,042,305           (673,557)          (541,528)        (18,225,463)       (34,440,768)
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------



         10,716,409           8,684,484          9,723,397          4,077,723         204,585,697        321,910,746
     --------------      --------------     --------------     --------------      --------------     --------------

     $   13,542,878      $   15,031,764     $    9,482,423     $    5,355,162      $  150,279,262    $   280,809,239
     ==============      ==============     ==============     ==============      ==============   ================

</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>



                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2001 and 2000

(1)       Description of the Plan

          The  following  description  of the Darden  Savings  Plan (the "Plan")
          provides only general  information.  Participants  should refer to the
          Plan  document  for  a  more  complete   description   of  the  Plan's
          provisions.

          The Plan, as amended,  was  originally  established  in June 1973. The
          Plan covers certain employees of Darden Restaurants,  Inc.'s operating
          and  administrative  subsidiaries,  and their divisions and affiliates
          (collectively,  the Company) who are 21 or over,  regardless  of their
          length of service.  Effective May 1999,  the Plan was amended to allow
          allocation of Company shares in the ESOP Fund for payment of quarterly
          incentive bonuses earned by certain  restaurant  management  employees
          that have five years of service  with the Company.  Effective  January
          2000, the Plan was also amended to allow  allocation of Company shares
          in the ESOP Fund for  payment of annual  incentive  bonuses  earned by
          certain Restaurant Support Center  administrative  employees that have
          five years of service with the Company.

          Under  the  Plan,   eligible  employees  may  elect  to  make  primary
          contributions to the Plan ranging from 1 percent to 6 percent of their
          aggregate  compensation  for each year on an after-tax  or  before-tax
          basis. Participants electing to contribute 6 percent may also elect to
          make unmatched  contributions equal to between 1 percent and 9 percent
          of their  aggregate  compensation  for the  year.  The  Company  makes
          quarterly  variable  contributions to the Plan ranging from 25 percent
          to 100 percent of the  primary  contribution  percentages  made by the
          participants.   The  Company  contribution  varies  depending  on  the
          Company's operating results. Plan matching provisions become effective
          for  participants   upon  completion  of  12  months  of  service  and
          accumulation of 1,000 hours of service in an anniversary  year. Income
          earned by the Plan is allocated  to  participants'  accounts  based on
          their relative  account  balances.

          Participants  may borrow  from their  vested  account  as  follows:  a
          minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum  equal to the lesser of $50,000,  50
          percent of their vested account balance,  an amount which would result
          in loan repayments not to exceed 50 percent of the  participant's  net
          take-home pay, or the balance in the participant's  account (including
          non-vested   amounts)   excluding  amounts  in  the  ESOP  Fund.  Loan
          transactions  are treated as a transfer to (from) the investment  fund
          from (to) the  Participant  Loan Fund.  Loan repayment terms generally
          may not exceed 5 years.  The loans are  secured by the  balance in the
          participant's account and bear market rates of interest. Principal and
          interest is paid through payroll  deductions and may be repaid in full
          at any time without penalty.

                                 13                                  (Continued)
<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2001 and 2000

          On  termination of service due to death,  disability or retirement,  a
          participant  shall be entitled to a distribution of the total value of
          his or her account.  If that  participant had a vested account balance
          as of June 1, 1990,  he or she may elect monthly  installments  not to
          exceed 120 months. All other terminating participants, including those
          who terminate  service due to other  reasons,  will receive a lump sum
          distribution  of their vested account  balance if such balance is less
          than $5,000.  Terminating  participants having vested account balances
          greater  than $5,000 may elect  either a lump sum  distribution  or to
          leave  their  accounts  in the Plan  until  attainment  of age 65. All
          benefits are recorded when paid.

          Trustee and  administrative  duties of the Plan are being performed by
          American Express Trust Company.

  (2)     Summary of Accounting Policies

          (a)  Basis of  Presentation

               The  financial  statements  of the Plan are  prepared  under  the
               accrual  method of  accounting.

               The Plan  accounts  for certain changes in net assets as follows:

          o    Dividends  and  interest,  net realized and  unrealized  gains or
               losses and administrative expenses (presented as net appreciation
               (depreciation)  in fair  value of  investments)  of the  American
               Express  Trust  Stable  Capital Fund II, Pimco Total Return Fund,
               American  Express  Trust Equity Index Fund I, T. Rowe Price Small
               Cap Stock Fund, and the EuroPacific Growth Fund are recognized by
               the Plan only as they are  reflected in the Plan's  proportionate
               share  of net  increases  (decreases)  in the  fair  value of the
               respective funds; and

          o    Net realized  gains or losses are  recognized  by the Plan upon
               the sale of investment securities on the basis of weighted
               average cost.

          (b)  Investments

               Plan investments  are  recorded  at fair  value.  Fair  value  is
               determined by quoted market prices.  Short-term  investments are
               stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

               Purchases and sales of  securities  are  recorded on a trade date
               basis.  Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
               Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.

                                                                     (Continued)

                                       14
<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2001 and 2000

         (c)   Use of Estimates

               The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with
               accounting  principles generally accepted in the United States of
               America  requires  management to make  estimates and  assumptions
               that  affect the  reported  amounts of  assets,  liabilities  and
               changes  therein,   and  disclosure  of  contingent   assets  and
               liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

  (3)     Forfeitures and Vesting

          Vested rights to Company  contribution  amounts  accrue at a rate of 5
          percent  per  quarter  from  the  Company  match   eligibility   date.
          Forfeitures   to  the  Plan  can  be  used  to  cover  future  Company
          contributions,  reinstate  previously  forfeited  amounts  to  rehired
          employees, and cover administrative expenses incurred by the leveraged
          unallocated  accounts.  During the 2001 and 2000 Plan years,  $380,648
          and  $365,111,   respectively,  of  forfeitures  were  used  to  cover
          administrative  expenses of the Plan. No forfeited  funds were used to
          cover Company contributions.

  (4)     Choice of Investments

          Participant  contributions  to the Plan may be  directed  to six basic
          investment  alternatives:  American  Express Trust Stable Capital Fund
          II, Pimco Total Return Fund,  American Express Trust Equity Index Fund
          I, T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund,  EuroPacific  Growth Fund,  and
          Company  Common  Stock  Fund.  Company  contributions  to the Plan are
          invested in the ESOP Fund.

  (5)     Investments

          The  following  table  presents  the fair  value of  investments  that
          represent 5 percent or more of the Plan's net assets at April 30, 2001
          and 2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     2001                  2000
                                                                              -------------------    ------------------
          <S>                                                              <C>                          <C>


          Investments at fair value:
          American Express Trust Stable Capital Fund II                    $        37,609,731             35,801,149
          American Express Trust Equity Index Fund I                                42,250,231             49,344,533
          EuroPacific Growth Fund                                                         -                14,993,199
          Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (including $268,567,237
            and $201,816,293 of non-participant directed funds at April
            30, 2001 and 2000, respectively)
                                                                                   281,537,016            210,746,782
</TABLE>
                                                                    (Continued)


                                       15

<PAGE>

                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN
                          Notes to Financial Statements
                             April 30, 2001 and 2000

  (6)     Company Common Stock Fund

          Amounts in the Company  Common  Stock Fund are  invested in the common
          stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc. At April 30, 2001 and 2000, the fair
          value  of  the  shares  held  in  participant  directed  accounts  was
          $12,969,779   (474,910  shares)  and  $8,930,489   (484,366   shares),
          respectively.  Participants should refer to the consolidated financial
          statements  of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc.  included  in the  Company's
          Annual  Report  on Form 10K  filed  with  the  Securities  &  Exchange
          Commission.

  (7)     ESOP Fund

          The  ESOP  Fund  consists  of  common  stock of the  Company  and cash
          received from dividends and fractional shares. All amounts credited to
          participants'  ESOP accounts will be invested in the ESOP Fund and may
          not be  transferred  from the  ESOP  Fund to any of the  Plan's  other
          investment  funds except as required by  applicable  Internal  Revenue
          Service (IRS)  regulations or to the extent  permitted by the terms of
          the Plan.  Likewise,  no amounts  may be  transferred  from any of the
          other investment funds into the ESOP Fund.

          At April 30,  2001,  the ESOP Fund  consists  of  9,834,026  shares of
          Company  common  stock.  Of the total  shares  held by the ESOP  Fund,
          3,075,509  shares of  Company  common  stock  have been  allocated  to
          individual  participant  accounts.  The remaining  6,758,517 shares of
          Company  common  stock  are  reserved  for  future  Company   matching
          contributions and quarterly and annual incentive  bonuses.  The shares
          become available for allocation to participants' accounts as ESOP loan
          principal and interest is paid.  At April 30, 2001,  the fair value of
          the 6,758,517  unallocated  Company shares was $184,575,085.  At April
          30,  2001,  the  fair  value of the  3,075,509  allocated  shares  was
          $83,992,152.  At  April  30,  2000,  the fair  value of the  8,016,774
          unallocated  Company shares was  $147,809,259.  At April 30, 2000, the
          fair value of the 2,929,195 allocated shares was $54,007,034.

          The ESOP Fund has two promissory notes payable to Darden  Restaurants,
          Inc.,  with   outstanding   principal   balances  of  $27,555,000  and
          $16,900,000,  as of April 30, 2001 and  $35,700,000 and $16,900,000 as
          of April 30, 2000.  The notes bear interest at variable  rates payable
          on a monthly or bi-monthly basis at the discretion of the Company.  No
          principal  payments  on the notes are  required  until the due  dates,
          December 31, 2007 and December 15, 2014,  respectively.  Any or all of
          the principal may be prepaid at any time.

  (8)     Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

          The  following is a  reconciliation  of net assets  available for plan
          benefits per the accompanying financial statements to the Form 5500:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         2001                   2000

                                                                   ------------------     ------------------
<S>                                                             <C>                           <C>

Net assets available for benefits per accompanying
     financial statements                                       $      357,175,877            280,809,239
Due to plan participants                                                  (158,622)              (138,614)
                                                                   ------------------     ------------------
Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500                 $      357,017,255            280,670,625

</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)

                                       16
<PAGE>





                               DARDEN SAVING PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2001 and 2000


          The following is a reconciliation of benefits paid to participants per
          the accompanying financial statements to the Form 5500:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           2001            2000
                                                                                           ----            ----
          <S>                                                                          <C>                 <C>

          Benefits paid to participants per the financial statements                   $    36,053,832     30,492,254

          Add:  Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at end of year                   158,622        138,614

          Less: Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at beginning of
                year                                                                          (138,614)      (121,969)
                                                                                         -----------------------------

          Benefits paid to participants per the Form 5500                              $    36,073,840     30,508,899
                                                                                         =============================
</TABLE>


  (9)     Tax Status

          The Plan  obtained  its latest  determination  letter on December  10,
          1997, in which the IRS stated that the Plan, as then designed,  was in
          compliance with the applicable  requirements  of the Internal  Revenue
          Code. The Plan was amended  subsequent to receipt of the determination
          letter.  However, the Plan's  administrator  believes that the Plan is
          currently designed and being operated,  as amended, in compliance with
          these requirements.


  (10)    Plan Termination

          Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the
          right under the Plan to discontinue its  contributions at any time and
          to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event
          of Plan termination,  participants  would become fully vested in their
          employer contributions.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                                                                     Schedule 1

                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

         Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes at End of Year

                                 April 30, 2001
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                             Face amount
                                                             or number                                Current
                        Issuer                                of units              Cost               value
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>                 <C>

Common stock of Darden
   Restaurants, Inc.*                                         10,308,936        $  62,679,681       $ 281,537,016

American Express Trust Stable Capital
   Fund II*                                                    2,465,565           32,177,598          37,609,731

Pimco Total Return Fund                                          386,716            3,990,962           4,010,250

American Express Trust Equity
   Index Fund I*                                               1,160,848           35,029,121          42,250,231

T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund                               736,821           16,226,102          17,241,604

EuroPacific Growth Fund                                          380,989           12,703,841          11,551,582

Participant Loans**                                            5,783,158                   --           5,783,158

American Express Trust Company
   Short-term Investment Fund*                                   835,520              835,520             835,520

</TABLE>

*Party-in-interest

**Bearing interest at prevailing rates at time of loan origination

See accompanying independent auditors' report.

                                       18
<PAGE>


                                                                      Schedule 2

                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                       Schedule of Reportable Transactions

                            Year ended April 30, 2001

5% series of transactions by security issue described in 29 CFR 2520
[(103-6(c)(i)(iii)]:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Purchases                       Sales
                                         ---------------------------- -----------------------------
                                                                                                       Net gain
          Issuer/Description               Number         Amount        Number         Amount           (loss)
---------------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ------------ ---------------- ----------------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>                  <C>      <C>               <C>

American Express Trust Company
   Short-term Investment Fund*              251      $  12,963,193         380     $ 13,049,023      $       --

Common stock of Darden
   Restaurants, Inc.*                        59          2,390,589         101       24,709,670         721,238

*Party-in-interest

</TABLE>

See accompanying independent auditors' report.

                                       19

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBITS

23       Consent of KPMG LLP, independent auditors.



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Darden  Savings  Plan has duly  caused  this  Annual  Report to be signed on its
behalf by the Financial  Fiduciary  Committee (as the person who administers the
financial aspects of the Darden Savings Plan), by the undersigned  hereunto duly
authorized.


                                          DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                                          By:   Financial Fiduciary Committee,
                                                as financial administrator of
                                                the Darden Savings Plan


Dated:  October 26, 2001                  By:  /s/ Clarence Otis, Jr.
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Clarence Otis, Jr., Chairman
                                               Financial Fiduciary Committee
                                               Darden Restaurants, Inc.

                                       20















