Exhibit (23)


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.

     We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements
(Nos.  333-109769  and  333-86957) on Form S-3 and the  registration  statements
(Nos.  33-60909,  333-91405 and 333-51666) on Form S-8 of EastGroup  Properties,
Inc. of our reports dated March 3, 2004,  relating to the  consolidated  balance
sheets of EastGroup  Properties,  Inc. and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003
and  2002,  and the  related  consolidated  statements  of  income,  changes  in
stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows for each of the  years in the  three-year
period ended December 31, 2003, and the related consolidated financial statement
schedule,  which  reports  appear in the December 31, 2003 Annual Report on Form
10-K of EastGroup Properties, Inc.


Jackson, Mississippi                             KPMG LLP
March 9, 2004