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<PERIOD>20030925
<FILING-DATE>20030929
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC
<CIK>0000940944
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5812
<IRS-NUMBER>593305930
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>FL
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0526
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>5900 LAKE ELLENOR DR
<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32809
<PHONE>4072454000
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>5900 LAKE ELLENOR DRIVE
<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32809
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<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>GENERAL MILLS RESTAURANTS INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19950313
</FORMER-COMPANY>
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<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>HUGHES DAVID H
<CIK>0000905248
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>FL
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
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<FILM-NUMBER>03915586
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<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>HUGHES SUPPLY CO.
<STREET2>20 N. ORANGE AVE., STE. 200
<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32801
<PHONE>407-841-4755
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>HUGHES SUPPLY CO.
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<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32801
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
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    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

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        <issuerName>DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DRI</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000905248</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HUGHES DAVID H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 593330</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ORLANDO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>32859-3330</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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