This paper analyses the evolution of the Sardinian economic system over the nineties, through a comparison of its performance with respect to other Italian regions. The paper examines the main aggregate variables (GDP, investment), the changes in the sectoral productive structure, the firms' dynamics, the labour market. All economic indicators point out that, although Sardinia still shows a large gap from the northern regions, it has succeeded to overcome the low phase of the business cycle reached in the mid-nineties and it is now proceeding along a path of product and employment growth.