<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Essex
Property Trust, Inc. year ended report for the three months ended March, 1998
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          19,952
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,740
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                53,210
<PP&E>                                         902,144
<DEPRECIATION>                                  66,866
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 903,815
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,008
<BONDS>                                        342,539
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          1
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                     397,013
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   903,815
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                59,520
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,671
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 6,362
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,014
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,473
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,473
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,473
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.81