<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF GABLES RESIDENTIAL TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000913782
<NAME> GABLES RESIDENTIAL TRUST
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          16,834
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       1,589,384
<DEPRECIATION>                                 172,247
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,471,364
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        755,485
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            4,500
<PREFERRED>                                    115,000
<COMMON>                                           268
<OTHER-SE>                                     391,499
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,471,364
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               245,597
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  142,251
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,178
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 52,372
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             42,601
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    42,601
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.64