<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Essex
Property Trust, Inc. quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           5,710
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,419
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                19,353
<PP&E>                                         285,713
<DEPRECIATION>                                (43,041)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 273,489
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,697
<BONDS>                                        154,635
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,497
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   273,489
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,754
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,640
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,509
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,190
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,824
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,824
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,744
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,159
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.51