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

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM 11-K

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

                                  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, 2002.

                                       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, 2002 and 2001,  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, 2002, and 2001, prepared in accordance
with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA.

Notes to financial statements.

Schedule 1 - Schedule of assets (held at end of year) April 30, 2002.

Schedule 2 - Schedule of reportable transactions, year ended April 30, 2002.


















                                       2

<PAGE>



















                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                 Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules

                             April 30, 2002 and 2001

                   (With Independent Auditors' Report Thereon)



                                       3
<PAGE>


















                          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, 2002
and 2001,  and the  related  statement  of changes in net assets  available  for
benefits  with fund  information  for the years  ended  April 30, 2002 and 2001.
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, 2002 and 2001,  and the changes in net assets  available  for benefits
for the years then ended,  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.  Schedule H, line 4i - Schedule of Assets
(Held  at End of  Year)  and  Schedule  H,  line  4j -  Schedule  of  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. These schedules are the responsibility of the Plan's management.  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.  The 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.



September 27, 2002


                                      4
<PAGE>



                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

        Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                                 April 30, 2002
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                            Participant directed
                                                 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        American                   American
                                                        Express        Pimco        Express        T. Rowe        Euro
                                                      Trust Stable     Total      Trust Equity      Price        Pacific
                                                        Capital        Return       Index         Small Cap      Growth
                                                        Fund II        Fund         Fund I           Fund         Fund
                                                 ----------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>

Assets

Investments, at fair value:
   Short-term investments, at cost
     which approximates fair value                  $          --            --             --           --             --
   American Express Trust Stable Capital Fund II       40,217,045            --             --           --             --
   Pimco Total Return Fund                                     --     5,367,246             --           --             --
   American Express Trust Equity Index Fund I                  --            --     36,773,595           --             --
   T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund                          --            --             --   20,866,248             --
   EuroPacific Growth Fund                                     --            --             --           --     10,599,185
   MSIF Trust Mid Cap Value Fund                               --            --             --           --             --
   Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund                            --            --             --           --             --
   Davis New York Venture Fund                                 --            --             --           --             --
   Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc.                    --            --             --           --             --
   Participant loans                                           --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
       Total investments                               40,217,045     5,367,246     36,773,595   20,866,248     10,599,185
                                                   --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

Receivables:
   Employer contribution                                       --            --             --           --             --
   Accrued dividend and interest                               --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
       Total receivables                                       --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
       Total assets                                    40,217,045     5,367,246     36,773,595   20,866,248     10,599,185
                                                   --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

Liabilities

ESOP Loan                                                      --            --             --           --             --
Interest payable                                               --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ --------------
         Total liabilities                                     --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ --------------
         Net assets available for benefits          $  40,217,045     5,367,246     36,773,595   20,866,248     10,599,185
                                                   =============== ============= ============= ============ ==============
Number of participants (unaudited)                          7,379         3,553          8,974        8,615          5,499
                                                   =============== ============= ============= ============ ==============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


                                       5
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                               Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                directed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------
                         Harbor          Davis
          MSIF          Capital         New York      Company       Participant
         Mid Cap      Appreciation      Venture       Common          Loan             ESOP
        Value Fund       Fund            Fund        Stock Fund       Fund             Fund            Total
------------------ --------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------
<S>     <C>                <C>           <C>         <C>              <C>           <C>              <C>




              --                --            --        865,520              --         717,896        1,583,416
              --                --            --             --              --              --       40,217,045
              --                --            --             --              --              --        5,367,246
              --                --            --             --              --              --       36,773,595
              --                --            --             --              --              --       20,866,248
              --                --            --             --              --              --       10,599,185
         819,692                --            --             --              --              --          819,692
              --           576,069            --             --              --              --          576,069
              --                --       785,412             --              --              --          785,412
              --                --            --     20,959,450              --     358,975,093      379,934,543
              --                --            --             --       6,578,720              --        6,578,720
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------
         819,692           576,069       785,412     21,824,970       6,578,720     359,692,989      504,101,171
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------

              --                --            --             --              --         274,136          274,136
              --                --            --             --              --         366,810          366,810
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------
              --                --            --             --              --         640,946          640,946
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------
         819,692           576,069       785,412     21,824,970       6,578,720     360,333,935      504,742,117
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------

              --                --            --             --              --      39,140,000       39,140,000
              --                --            --             --              --          38,009           38,009
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------
              --                --            --             --              --      39,178,009       39,178,009
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------
         819,692           576,069       785,412     21,824,970       6,578,720     321,155,926      465,564,108
================ ================= ============= ============== =============== =============== ================
             962               994         1,014          4,195           1,994          11,695
================ ================= ============= ============== =============== ===============

</TABLE>




                                       6

<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.


                                       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>




              --                  --            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>


                                       8
<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

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

                            Year ended April 30, 2002
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                            Participant directed
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                American           Pimco       American         T. Rowe
                                                 Express           Total        Express          Price           Euro
                                               Trust Stable       Return      Trust Equity     Small Cap     Pacific Growth
                                              Capital Fund II      Fund       Index Fund I     Stock Fund        Fund
                                             ---------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- -----------------
<S>                                               <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>              <C>
Additions to net assets attributed to:
   Net investment income (loss):
      Net appreciation (depreciation) in
         fair value of investments                 $ 2,152,233       77,646      (5,346,901)      2,532,720      (1,108,419)
      Dividends and interest                                 8      366,104                1        112,179          244,713
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------
            Net investment income (loss)             2,152,241      443,750      (5,346,900)      2,644,899        (863,706)
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------

Participant loan activity during the year:
   Withdrawals                                     (1,068,192)    (232,354)      (1,144,390)      (662,159)        (427,694)
   Repayments (including interest)                     819,795      164,876        1,112,627        516,773          379,053
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------
            Total loan activity                      (248,397)     (67,478)         (31,763)      (145,386)         (48,641)
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------

    Contributions:
      Participants                                   4,165,224    1,111,390        5,484,855      2,415,137        1,880,386
      Employer                                              --           --               --             --               --
      Forfeitures                                        9,362           --               --             --               --
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------
            Total contributions                      4,174,586    1,111,390        5,484,855      2,415,137        1,880,386
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------
            Total additions, net                     6,078,430    1,487,662          106,192      4,914,650          968,039
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
   Interest expenses                                        --           --               --             --               --
   Administrative expenses                             (7,529)        (465)          (4,414)        (1,812)          (1,230)
   Payments due to resignations,
      retirements, withdrawals and deaths          (3,778,174)    (473,027)      (3,392,178)    (1,413,267)        (893,693)
   Transfers between funds                             243,027      325,494      (2,286,527)         82,250      (1,060,469)
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------
            Total deductions, net                  (3,542,676)    (147,998)      (5,683,119)    (1,332,829)      (1,955,392)
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------
Net assets available for benefits:
   Beginning of year                                37,681,291    4,027,582       42,350,522     17,284,427       11,586,538
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ----------------
   End of year                                    $ 40,217,045    5,367,246       36,773,595     20,866,248       10,599,185
                                             ================= ============ ================ ============== ================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


                                       9
<PAGE>





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                 directed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
                                       Davis New
     MSIF Trust      Harbor Capital      York        Company       Participant
      Mid Cap        Appreciation       Venture       Common           Loan            ESOP
    Value Fund          Fund             Fund       Stock Fund         Fund            Fund              Total
--------------- ------------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S>    <C>                 <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>              <C>



       (24,946)            (58,317)     (23,134)       6,133,970             --       116,166,189       120,501,041
             --                 635          703          38,723             --           755,775         1,518,841
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
       (24,946)            (57,682)     (22,431)       6,172,693             --       116,921,964       122,019,882
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------

       (10,306)            (18,165)     (14,816)       (876,010)      4,454,086                --                --
          8,225              14,712       17,157         614,156    (3,106,076)                --           541,298
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
        (2,081)             (3,453)        2,341       (261,854)      1,348,010                --           541,298
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------

        138,047             139,268      150,853       2,206,282             --                --        17,691,442
             --                  --           --              --             --         6,054,010         6,054,010
             --                  --           --              --             --                --             9,362
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
        138,047             139,268      150,853       2,206,282             --         6,054,010        23,754,814
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
        111,020              78,133      130,763       8,117,121      1,348,010       122,975,974       146,315,994
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------

             --                  --           --              --             --       (1,366,929)       (1,366,929)
           (23)                (20)         (14)         (2,518)             --         (350,969)         (368,994)

        (5,015)            (11,356)     (27,360)     (1,671,343)      (552,448)      (23,973,979)      (36,191,840)
        713,710             509,312      682,023       2,051,029             --       (1,259,849)                --
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
        708,672             497,936      654,649         377,168      (552,448)      (26,951,726)      (37,927,763)
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------

             --                  --           --      13,330,681      5,783,158       225,131,678       357,175,877
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
        819,692             576,069      785,412      21,824,970      6,578,720       321,155,926       465,564,108
=============== =================== ============ =============== ============== ================= =================
</TABLE>






                                       10
<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

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

                            Year ended 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.


                                       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>



        (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>










                                       12
<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2002 and 2001




(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 (an employee stock  ownership plan which is
     a component of the Plan) 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% to 6% of their eligible  compensation  for each
     year  on  an  after-tax  or  before-tax  basis.  Participants  electing  to
     contribute  6% may also  elect  to make  unmatched  contributions  equal to
     between 1% and 9% of their eligible  compensation for the year. The Company
     makes quarterly variable contributions to the Plan ranging from 25% to 100%
     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,  minus the highest
     outstanding  loan balance in the  preceding 12 months,  50% of their vested
     account  balance,  an amount which would result in loan  repayments  not to
     exceed 50% of the  participant's  13 week average net take-home pay, or the
     vested balance in the  participant's  account excluding amounts in the ESOP
     Fund.  Loan  transactions  are  accounted  for 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
<PAGE>


     On termination of service due to death, disability,  retirement,  induction
     into the Armed Forces of, or service with, the United States Government, or
     involuntary   separation  or   elimination  of  position  due  to  a  sale,
     destruction,  shut-down,  or closing  out of an  activity  or  facility,  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 $5,000 or less. 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 Significant 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 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,
               EuroPacific  Growth Fund,  MSIF Trust Mid Cap Value Fund,  Harbor
               Capital  Appreciation  Fund,  and the Davis New York Venture 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.

          The Plan's investments  include funds which invest in various types of
          investment securities and in various companies within various markets.
          Investment  securities are exposed to several risks,  such as interest
          rate,  market and credit  risks.  Due to the level of risk  associated
          with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably

                                       14
<PAGE>

          possible  that  changes in the values of  investment  securities  will
          occur in the near term and that such changes could  materially  affect
          the amounts reported in the Plan's financial statements and schedules.

     (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 net  assets  available  for  benefits  at the  date of the
          financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of  additions to and
          deductions from those net assets during the reporting  period.  Actual
          results could differ from those estimates.

(3)  Forfeitures and Vesting

     Vested rights to Company  contribution  amounts  accrue at a rate of 5% per
     quarter  beginning  with  the  participant's   fifth  quarter  of  service.
     Forfeitures of nonvested  Company  contributions 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
     Plan.  During  the  2002  and  2001  Plan  years,  $332,190  and  $380,648,
     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  nine  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,  MSIF Trust Mid
     Cap Value Fund,  Harbor Capital  Appreciation  Fund, Davis New York Venture
     Fund, and Company Common Stock Fund. Company  contributions to the Plan are
     invested in the ESOP Fund.



                                       15
<PAGE>

(5)  Investments

       The following table presents the fair value of investments that represent
       5% or more of the Plan's net assets at April 30, 2002 and 2001:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        2002                  2001
                                                                                  ------------------    -----------------

       <S>                                                                         <C>                  <C>
       Investments at fair value:
           American Express Trust Stable Capital Fund II, 2,496,093 and
              2,465,565 shares at April 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively
                                                                                   $   40,217,045        $    37,609,731
           American Express Trust Equity Index Fund I, 1,158,041 and 1,160,848
              shares at April 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively
                                                                                       36,773,595             42,250,231
           Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (including $358,975,093
              and $268,567,237 of non-participant directed funds at April
              30, 2002 and 2001, respectively), 9,522,170 and 10,308,936
              shares at April 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively
                                                                                      379,934,543            281,537,016
</TABLE>


(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, 2002 and 2001, the fair value of
     the shares held in participant  directed accounts was $20,959,450  (525,300
     shares) and $12,969,779 (474,910 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 and Exchange Commission.

(7)  ESOP Fund

     The ESOP Fund  consists of common  stock of the  Company and cash  received
     from  dividends  and   fractional   shares  which  is  held  in  short-term
     investments.  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  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, 2002,  the ESOP Fund  consists of 8,996,870  shares of Company
     common stock. Of the total shares held by the ESOP Fund,  3,142,027  shares
     of Company  common  stock have been  allocated  to  individual  participant
     accounts.  The  remaining  5,854,843  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, 2002, the fair value of the 5,854,843  unallocated Company shares
     was $233,608,225  and the fair value of the 3,142,027  allocated shares was
     $125,366,868.   At  April  30,  2001,  the  fair  value

                                       16
<PAGE>

     of the 6,758,517  unallocated  Company shares was $184,575,085 and the fair
     value of the 3,075,509 allocated shares was $83,992,152.

     The ESOP Fund has two promissory notes payable to Darden Restaurants, Inc.,
     with  outstanding  principal  balances of $22,240,000 and $16,900,000 as of
     April 30, 2002 and  $27,555,000  and  $16,900,000 as of April 30, 2001. 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>

                                                                       2002                   2001
                                                                -------------------   -------------------
<S>                                                             <C>                       <C>

Net assets available for benefits per accompanying
    financial statements                                         $   465,564,108            357,175,877
Due to plan participants                                               (463,490)              (158,622)
                                                                -------------------   -------------------
   Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500               $   465,100,618            357,017,255
                                                                ===================   ===================
</TABLE>

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

                                                                       2002                   2001
                                                                -------------------   -------------------
<S>                                                              <C>                        <C>

Benefits paid to participants per the financial statements        $   36,191,840             36,053,832

Add:  Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at end
      of year                                                            463,490                158,622

Less:  Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at
       beginning of year                                               (158,622)               (138,614)
                                                               --------------------   -------------------

      Benefits paid to participants per the Form 5500             $   36,496,708              36,073,840
                                                               ====================   ===================
</TABLE>


(9)  Tax Status

     The Plan  obtained its latest  determination  letter on July 15,  2002,  in
     which the  Internal  Revenue  Service  stated  that the Plan,  as  designed
     through   November  13,  2001,  was  in  compliance   with  the  applicable
     requirements  of the Internal  Revenue Code. The Company  believes that the
     Plan  currently  is  designed  and being  operated in  compliance  with the
     applicable  requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and that,  therefore,
     the Plan  qualifies  under Section  401(a) and  4975(e)(7)  and the related
     trust is tax  exempt as of April 30,  2002.  Therefore,  no  provision  for
     income taxes has been included in the Plan's financial statements.


                                       17
<PAGE>


(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  and the related Plan trust would be used exclusively for the
     benefit of participants and beneficiaries  after the payment of liquidation
     expenses.  Any  unallocated  shares in the ESOP  Fund  would be sold to the
     Company or on the open  market.  The proceeds of such sale would be used to
     satisfy any  outstanding  loans and the  balance of any  amounts  remaining
     would be allocated to each participant in proportion to each  participant's
     ESOP account balance to the total of all ESOP account balances.

(11) Subsequent Events

     Effective  June  2002,  the  Plan was  amended  to  allow  participants  to
     immediately  transfer ESOP funds  credited to their  accounts to any of the
     Plan's  other  investment  funds.  The Plan was also  amended to change the
     maximum  Company  variable  contribution  from 100% to 120%  effective July
     2002.

     On  March  21,  2002,   the  Company's   Board  of  Directors   declared  a
     three-for-two  stock split of the Company's  common stock.  The stock split
     was effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend  which was  distributed to
     stockholders on May 1, 2002, for all stockholders of record as of the close
     of business  on April 10,  2002.  All  applicable  references  to number of
     Company  shares of common stock have not been adjusted to reflect the stock
     split.


                                       18
<PAGE>


                                                                      Schedule 1





                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

               Schedule H, line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

                                 April 30, 2002
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                               Face amount
                                               or number                               Current
                        Issuer                  of units              Cost               value
------------------------------------------ ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
<S>                                               <C>             <C>                   <C>
Common stock of Darden
   Restaurants, Inc.*                              9,522,170        $ 60,872,326       $ 379,934,543

American Express Trust Stable Capital
   Fund II*                                        2,496,093          34,573,186          40,217,045

Pimco Total Return Fund                              506,344           5,311,652           5,367,246

American Express Trust Equity
   Index Fund I*                                   1,158,041          36,698,543          36,773,595

T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund                   780,338          17,608,318          20,866,248

EuroPacific Growth Fund                              388,249          12,786,727          10,599,185

MSIF Trust Mid Cap Value Fund                         41,715             822,925             819,692

Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund                      21,714             605,977             576,069

Davis New York Venture Fund                           31,747             786,445             785,412

Participant Loans - interest rates ranging from
    5.75% - 10.5% with varying maturities          6,578,720                  --           6,578,720

American Express Trust Company
   Short-term Investment Fund*                     1,583,416           1,583,416           1,583,416

</TABLE>

*Party-in-interest

See accompanying independent auditors' report.

                                       19
<PAGE>

                                                                      Schedule 2


                     DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

            Schedule H, line 4j - Schedule of Reportable Transactions

                            Year ended April 30, 2002

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*         286    $  18,838,405         380     $ 18,133,814        $     --

Common stock of Darden
   Restaurants, Inc.*                   97        3,896,098         129       27,237,281         516,528

*Party-in-interest
</TABLE>

See accompanying independent auditors' report.



                                       20
<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 23, 2002                   By:  /s/ Clarence Otis, Jr.
                                                Clarence Otis, Jr., Chairman
                                                Financial Fiduciary Committee
                                                Darden Restaurants, Inc.


                                       21
<PAGE>

