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> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 <CASH> 3,411 <SECURITIES> 13,419 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 685,185 <DEPRECIATION> (67,274) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 664,001 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 275,414 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 108,535 <COMMON> 2 <OTHER-SE> 260,005 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 664,001 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 71,348 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 16,251 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 34,804 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13,549 <INCOME-PRETAX> 0 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 21,008 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 21,008 <EPS-BASIC> .86 <EPS-DILUTED> .86