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

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


                       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, 2003.
                                       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


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

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





                              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, 2003 and 2002, 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, 2003, and 2002, 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, 2003.

Schedule 2 - Schedule of Reportable Transactions, Year Ended April 30, 2003.


                                        2

















                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                 Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules

                             April 30, 2003 and 2002

                   (With Independent Auditors' Report Thereon)





                                        3








                          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, 2003
and 2002,  and the related  statements  of changes in net assets  available  for
benefits  with fund  information  for the years  ended  April 30, 2003 and 2002.
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 2003,  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. The supplemental  schedules - 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 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.


                                    KPMG LLP


September 13, 2003


                                        4




                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

      Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                                 April 30, 2003




                                                                            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
                                                 ---------------- ------------- --------------  ----------- ----------------
Assets

                                                                                                  
Investments, at fair value:
   Short-term investments, at cost
     which approximates fair value                 $           --            --             --           --             --
   American Express Trust Stable Capital Fund II       46,184,063            --             --           --             --
   Pimco Total Return Fund                                     --     9,275,788             --           --             --
   American Express Trust Equity Index Fund I                  --            --     33,079,502           --             --
   T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund                          --            --             --   17,588,346             --
   EuroPacific Growth Fund                                     --            --             --           --      9,827,490
   MSIF U.S. Mid Cap Core Portfolio Fund                       --            --             --           --             --
   Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund                            --            --             --           --             --
   Davis New York Venture Fund                                 --            --             --           --             --
   Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc.                    --            --             --           --             --
   Participant loans                                           --            --             --           --             --
                                                   -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------------
       Total investments                               46,184,063     9,275,788     33,079,502   17,588,346      9,827,490
                                                   -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------------

Receivables:
   Employer contribution                                       --            --             --           --             --
   Accrued dividend and interest                               --            --             --           --             --
                                                   -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------------
       Total receivables                                       --            --             --           --             --
                                                   -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------------
       Total assets                                    46,184,063     9,275,788     33,079,502   17,588,346      9,827,490
                                                   -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------------

Liabilities

ESOP Loan                                                      --            --             --           --             --
Interest payable                                               --            --             --           --             --
                                                   -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------------
         Total liabilities                                     --            --             --           --             --
                                                   -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------------
         Net assets available for benefits         $   46,184,063     9,275,788     33,079,502   17,588,346      9,827,490
                                                   ============== ============= ============== ============ ================
Number of participants (unaudited)                          7,453         4,002          8,731        8,418          5,481
                                                   ============== ============= =========================== ================


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


                                       5









                                                                               Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                 directed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   MSIF Trust         Harbor           Davis
  U.S. Mid Cap        Capital        New York        Company       Participant
 Core Portfolio    Appreciation       Venture        Common          Loan            ESOP
      Fund             Fund            Fund        Stock Fund        Fund            Fund            Total
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------------


                                                                                 


              --                --            --        368,095              --         197,825          565,920
              --                --            --             --              --              --       46,184,063
              --                --            --             --              --              --        9,275,788
              --                --            --             --              --              --       33,079,502
              --                --            --             --              --              --       17,588,346
              --                --            --             --              --              --        9,827,490
       1,038,422                --            --             --              --              --        1,038,422
              --           867,010            --             --              --              --          867,010
              --                --     1,257,505             --              --              --        1,257,505
              --                --            --     14,819,996              --     213,650,467      228,470,463
              --                --            --             --       7,927,586              --        7,927,586
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------------
       1,038,422           867,010     1,257,505     15,188,091       7,927,586     213,848,292      356,082,095
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------------

              --                --            --             --              --         110,374          110,374
              --                --            --             --              --         495,872          495,872
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------------
              --                --            --             --              --         606,246          606,246
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------------
       1,038,422           867,010     1,257,505     15,188,091       7,927,586     214,454,538      356,688,341
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------------

              --                --            --             --              --      34,450,000       34,450,000
              --                --            --             --              --          25,034           25,034
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------------
              --                --            --             --              --      34,475,034       34,475,034
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------------
       1,038,422           867,010     1,257,505     15,188,091       7,927,586     179,979,504      322,213,307
================ ================= ============= ============== =============== =============== ======================
           1,516             1,549         1,598          4,207           2,128          11,516
================ ================= ============= ============== =============== ===============




                                       6





                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

      Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                                 April 30, 2002



                                                                            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      Stock Fund       Fund
                                                 ----------------- ------------ -------------- ------------ ------------------
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 U.S. Mid Cap Core Portfolio 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
                                                   =============== ============ ============== ============ ==================


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       7









                                                                               Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                 directed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   MSIF Trust         Harbor           Davis
  U.S. Mid Cap        Capital        New York        Company       Participant
 Core Portfolio    Appreciation       Venture        Common          Loan            ESOP
      Fund             Fund            Fund        Stock Fund        Fund            Fund            Total
---------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------------


                                                                                


              --                --            --        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
================ ================= ============= ============== =============== ===============







                                       8




                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

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

                            Year ended April 30, 2003




                                                                            Participant directed
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               American            Pimco       American        T. Rowe          Euro
                                                Express            Total        Express         Price          Pacific
                                               Trust Stable       Return      Trust Equity     Small Cap       Growth
                                              Capital Fund II      Fund       Index Fund I     Stock Fund       Fund
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------
                                                                                                
Additions to net assets attributed to:
   Investment income (loss):
      Net appreciation (depreciation) in
         fair value of investments                 $ 2,114,042      192,987       (4,867,336)    (3,751,420)      (1,756,757)
      Dividends and interest                               617      545,101               --        186,033           97,774
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------
            Net investment income (loss)             2,114,659      738,088       (4,867,336)    (3,565,387)      (1,658,983)
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------

Participant loan activity during the year:
   Withdrawals                                      (1,266,233)    (397,904)      (1,222,024)      (741,286)        (435,500)
   Repayments (including interest)                     868,875      205,051        1,059,239        517,794          362,160
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------
            Total loan activity                       (397,358)    (192,853)        (162,785)      (223,492)         (73,340)
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------

    Contributions:
      Participants                                   4,150,045    1,361,373        5,099,814      2,343,994        1,796,587
      Employer                                              --           --               --             --               --
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------
            Total contributions                      4,150,045    1,361,373        5,099,814      2,343,994        1,796,587
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------
            Total additions, net                     5,867,346    1,906,608           69,693     (1,444,885)           64,264
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
   Benefits paid to participants                    (4,547,727)    (641,565)      (2,490,221)    (1,176,561)        (753,821)
   Interest expense                                         --           --               --             --               --
   Administrative expenses                             (44,221)      (4,372)          (9,336)        (3,574)          (2,084)
   Transfers between funds                           4,691,620    2,647,871       (1,264,229)      (652,882)         (80,054)
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------
            Total deductions, net                       99,672    2,001,934      (3,763,786)    (1,833,017)        (835,959)
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------
Net assets available for benefits:
   Beginning of year                                40,217,045    5,367,246       36,773,595     20,866,248       10,599,185
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- -------------------
   End of year                                 $    46,184,063    9,275,788       33,079,502     17,588,346        9,827,490
                                             ================= ============ ================ ============== ===================


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


                                       9







                                                                               Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                 directed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  MSIF Trust                         Davis New
 U.S. Mid Cap      Harbor Capital      York         Company        Participant
Core Portfolio     Appreciation       Venture        Common           Loan            ESOP
    Fund               Fund             Fund       Stock Fund         Fund            Fund              Total
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------

                                                                                    


       (194,741)           (130,675)     (94,029)     (7,188,326)            --      (116,271,567)       (131,947,822)
             --               1,279        6,201          53,382             --         1,019,378           1,909,765
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------
       (194,741)           (129,396)     (87,828)     (7,134,944)            --      (115,252,189)       (130,038,057)
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------

        (26,632)            (44,923)     (55,620)     (1,200,985)     5,391,107                --                  --
         19,844              29,058       33,990         750,400     (3,337,996)               --             508,415
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------
         (6,788)            (15,865)     (21,630)       (450,585)     2,053,111                --             508,415
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------

        308,978             355,294      364,534       2,413,070             --                --          18,193,689
             --                  --           --              --             --         4,530,363           4,530,363
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------
        308,978             355,294      364,534       2,413,070             --         4,530,363          22,724,052
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------
        107,449             210,033      255,076      (5,172,459)     2,053,111      (110,721,826)       (106,805,590)
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------

        (40,026)            (38,001)     (39,326)     (1,674,269)      (704,245)      (23,085,364)        (35,191,126)
             --                  --           --              --             --          (719,696)           (719,696)
            (59)                (81)        (175)         (6,443)            --          (564,044)           (634,389)
        151,366             118,990      256,518         216,292             --        (6,085,492)                 --
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------
        111,281              80,908      217,017     (1,464,420)       (704,245)      (30,454,596)        (36,545,211)
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------

        819,692             576,069      785,412      21,824,970      6,578,720       321,155,926         465,564,108
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------------- -----------------
      1,038,422             867,010    1,257,505      15,188,091      7,927,586       179,979,504         322,213,307
=============== =================== ============ =============== ============== ======================= =================






                                       10




                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

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

                            Year ended April 30, 2002




                                                                            Participant directed
                                             -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
                                                American          Pimco        American         T. Rowe        Euro
                                                Express           Total        Express          Price         Pacific
                                               Trust Stable       Return      Trust Equity     Small Cap      Growth
                                              Capital Fund II      Fund       Index Fund I     Stock Fund      Fund
                                             ---------------- ------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------
                                                                                                
Additions to net assets attributed to:
   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                                              --           --               --             --               --
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ------------------
            Total contributions                      4,165,224    1,111,390        5,484,855      2,415,137        1,880,386
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ------------------
            Total additions, net                     6,069,068    1,487,662          106,192      4,914,650          968,039
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ------------------
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
   Benefits paid to participants                    (3,778,174)    (473,027)      (3,392,178)    (1,413,267)        (893,693)
   Interest expense                                         --           --               --             --               --
   Administrative expenses                               1,833         (465)          (4,414)        (1,812)          (1,230)
   Transfers between funds                             243,027      325,494       (2,286,527)        82,250       (1,060,469)
                                             ----------------- ------------ ---------------- -------------- ------------------
            Total deductions, net                   (3,533,314)    (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
                                             ================= ============ ================ ============== ==================


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       11






                                                                                 Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                  directed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  MSIF Trust                         Davis New
 U.S. Mid Cap      Harbor Capital      York         Company        Participant
Core Portfolio     Appreciation       Venture        Common           Loan            ESOP
      Fund             Fund             Fund       Stock Fund         Fund            Fund              Total
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------------


                                                                                     

        (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
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------------
        138,047             139,268      150,853       2,206,282             --         6,054,010        23,745,452
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------------
        111,020              78,133      130,763       8,117,121      1,348,010       122,975,974       146,306,632
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------------

         (5,015)            (11,356)     (27,360)     (1,671,343)      (552,448)      (23,973,979)      (36,191,840)
             --                  --           --              --             --        (1,366,929)       (1,366,929)
            (23)                (20)         (14)         (2,518)            --          (350,969)         (359,632)
        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)      (37,918,401)
--------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------------

             --                  --           --      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
=============== =================== ============ =============== ============== ================= =======================



                                       12





                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2003 and 2002



(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.
     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.

     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 120%
     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.

     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.

                                       13                       (Continued)


                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN
                         Notes to Financial Statements
                            April 30, 2003 and 2002

(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 U.S. Mid Cap Core Portfolio
               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.  Participant  loans  are  valued  at
          amortized 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 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.

          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  accomplished  through  a 50%  stock  dividend,  which  was
          distributed on May 1, 2002, to  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 been adjusted to reflect the stock
          split.

     (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.

                                       14                       (Continued)


                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN
                         Notes to Financial Statements
                            April 30, 2003 and 2002

(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  2003  and  2002  Plan  years,  $419,458  and  $332,190,
     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 U.S.
     Mid Cap Core Portfolio,  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.

(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, 2003 and 2002:

                                                        2003            2002
                                                    ------------   -------------
      Investments at fair value:
        American Express Trust Stable Capital
         Fund II, 2,728,909 and 2,496,093 shares
         at April 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively  $ 46,184,063     40,217,045

        American Express Trust Equity Index Fund
         I, 1,202,803 and 1,158,041 shares at
         April 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively       33,079,502     36,773,595

        T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund,
         800,927 and 780,338 shares at April 30,
         2003 and 2002, respectively                 17,588,346     20,866,248

        Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc.
         (including $213,650,467 and $358,975,093
         of non-participant directed funds at
         April 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively),
         13,047,999 and 14,283,255 shares at April
         30, 2003 and 2002, respectively            228,470,463    379,934,573

(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, 2003 and 2002, the fair value of
     the shares held in participant  directed accounts was $14,819,996  (846,373
     shares) and $20,959,450 (787,950 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.

                                       15                       (Continued)


                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN
                         Notes to Financial Statements
                            April 30, 2003 and 2002


(7)  ESOP Fund

     The ESOP Fund  consists  of common  stock of the  Company and cash which is
     held in short-term investments.  All amounts credited to participants' ESOP
     accounts will be invested in the ESOP Fund.  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.
     However,  amounts may not be transferred  from any of the other  investment
     funds into the ESOP Fund.

     At April 30,  2003,  the ESOP Fund  consists  of  12,201,626  shares of the
     Company's  common  stock.  Of the  total  shares  held  by the  ESOP  Fund,
     4,567,586  shares of Company common stock have been allocated to individual
     participant  accounts.  The remaining  7,634,040  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, 2003, the fair value of the 7,634,040  unallocated Company shares
     was $133,672,034  and the fair value of the 4,567,586  allocated shares was
     $79,978,433. At April 30, 2002, the fair value of the 8,782,264 unallocated
     Company  shares  was  $233,608,225  and the  fair  value  of the  4,713,041
     allocated shares was $125,366,868.

     The ESOP Fund has two promissory notes payable to Darden Restaurants, Inc.,
     with  outstanding  principal  balances of $17,550,000 and $16,900,000 as of
     April 30, 2003 and  $22,240,000  and  $16,900,000 as of April 30, 2002. 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)  Related Party Transactions

     Certain plan  investments are units of  participation in common trust funds
     and shares of mutual funds managed by American  Express Trust  Company.  As
     mentioned  in Note 1,  American  Express  Trust  Company is the  trustee as
     defined  by  the  Plan  and,  therefore,   these  transactions  qualify  as
     party-in-interest transactions. The Company pays the American Express Trust
     Company's   administrative  and  trustee  fees.  Such  fees,  net  of  plan
     forfeitures used to cover plan expenses, were $273,520 and $295,396 for the
     years ended April 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

     Certain plan investments are loans to participants who are employees of the
     Company and,  therefore,  these transactions  qualify as  party-in-interest
     transactions.

                                       16                       (Continued)



                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN
                         Notes to Financial Statements
                            April 30, 2003 and 2002


(9)  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:

                                                         2003            2002
                                                    -------------  -------------
        Net assets available for benefits per
         accompanying financial statements          $322,213,307    465,564,108
        Due to plan participants                         (75,637)      (463,490)
                                                    -------------  -------------
                Net assets available for benefit
                 per Form 5500                      $322,137,670    465,100,618
                                                    =============  =============

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

                                                         2003            2002
                                                    -------------  -------------
        Benefits paid to participants per the
         financial statements                       $ 35,191,126     36,191,840
        Add: Amounts allocated to withdrawing
         participants at end of year                      75,637        463,490
        Less: Amounts allocated to withdrawing
         participants at beginning of year              (463,490)      (158,622)
                                                    -------------  -------------
                Benefits paid to participants
                 per the Form 5500                  $ 34,803,273     36,496,708
                                                    =============  =============

(10) 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,  therefore,  the
     Plan qualifies under Section 401(a) and 4975(e)(7) and the related trust is
     tax exempt as of April 30, 2003.  Therefore,  no provision for income taxes
     has been included in the Plan's financial statements.

(11) 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 the Employee  Retirement
     Income Security Act of 1974. In the event of Plan  termination,  no further
     contributions  shall be made to the Trust Fund by either the Company or the
     participants,  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  leveraged 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  acquisition  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.

                                       17



                                                                     Schedule 1

                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

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

                                 April 30, 2003




                                                            Face amount
                                                             or number                                Current
                        Issuer                                of units              Cost               value
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
                                                                                             
Common stock of Darden
   Restaurants, Inc.*                                            13,047,999        $ 59,420,763       $ 228,470,463

American Express Trust Stable Capital
   Fund II*                                                       2,728,909          40,216,653          46,184,063

Pimco Total Return Fund                                             852,554           9,067,948           9,275,788

American Express Trust Equity
   Index Fund I*                                                  1,202,803          38,521,989          33,079,502

T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund*                                 800,927          18,291,981          17,588,346

EuroPacific Growth Fund                                             431,978          13,471,413           9,827,490

MSIF U.S. Mid Cap Core Portfolio Fund                                68,952           1,166,911           1,038,422

Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund                                     40,514             828,498             867,010

Davis New York Venture Fund                                          58,434           1,277,522           1,257,505

Participant Loans outstanding - interest
   rates ranging from 5.75% - 10.5%
   with varying maturities*                                           2,128           7,927,586           7,927,586

American Express Trust Company
   Short-term Investment Fund*                                      565,920             565,920             565,920



*Party-in-interest

See accompanying independent auditors' report.


                                       18




                                                                      Schedule 2

                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

            Schedule H, line 4j - Schedule of Reportable Transactions

                            Year ended April 30, 2003

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




                                                  Purchases                       Sales                   Net gain
                                         ---------------------------- -------------------------------
          Issuer/Description               Number         Amount        Number          Amount            (loss)
---------------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ------------ ------------------ --------------
                                                                                         
American Express Trust Company
   Short-term Investment Fund*                  308    $  22,073,453         410     $ 23,026,285        $      --

Common stock of Darden
   Restaurants, Inc.*                           116        4,674,344         129       31,272,128       (2,695,399)


*Party-in-interest

See accompanying independent auditors' report.






                                       19




                                    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 16, 2003                  By:  /s/ Linda J. Dimopoulos
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Linda J. Dimopoulos, Chairman
                                              Financial Fiduciary Committee
                                              Darden Restaurants, Inc.





                                       20




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

        Exhibit
        Number                        Title

            23        Consent of KPMG, as Independent Auditors.





                                       21




                                                                  EXHIBIT 23





                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
Darden Restaurants, Inc.

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement
on Form S-8 (No.  33-92702)  of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc.  of our report  dated
September 13, 2003,  relating to the financial  statements of the Darden Savings
Plan for the year  ended  April 30,  2003,  which  appears  in this Form 11-K of
Darden Restaurants, Inc.


                                   /s/KPMG LLP

Orlando, Florida
October 15, 2003



                                       22