In a method for operating an internal combustion engine, the air-fuel ratio in a combustion chamber is a function of the operating conditions and/or the operating state of the internal combustion engine. It is provided that, with the aid of a data model, a variable expressing a target air-fuel ratio is ascertained from a target torque and an air mass determined with the aid of a model or a measured value, and in addition a setpoint fuel quantity to be injected into the combustion chamber is determined and, using the same data model, a setpoint air mass to be conveyed to the combustion chamber is determined from the target torque and a variable expressing a predefined air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber.