WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

                                                          Exhibit (27)
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000049600

<NAME> EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000


                                                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                                           3,690
<SECURITIES>                                                    12,216
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                     0
<PP&E>                                                         670,631
<DEPRECIATION>                                                 (61,964)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 648,619
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                0
<BONDS>                                                        261,726
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                0
<PREFERRED>                                                    108,535
<COMMON>                                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                                     260,562
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   648,619
<SALES>                                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                46,747
<CGS>                                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                   10,521
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                22,867
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               8,719
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             13,980
<DISCONTINUED>                                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                      0
<CHANGES>                                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    13,980
<EPS-BASIC>                                                        .58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                      .57