
                                                                   EXHIBIT 32(a)


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002



In connection with the Annual Report of Darden Restaurants,  Inc. ("Company") on
Form 10-K for the year  ended May 30,  2004,  as filed with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  ("Report"),  I, Joe R. Lee,  Chairman and Chief  Executive
Officer of the  Company,  certify,  pursuant  to 18 U.S.C.  ss.1350,  as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     1.   The Report fully  complies with the  requirements  of Section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2.   The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company.



                                           /s/ Joe R. Lee
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Joe R. Lee
                                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                           August 12, 2004



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