<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Essex Property Trust, Inc. quarterly report for the period ended September
30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           6,238
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,424
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                19,368
<PP&E>                                         344,904
<DEPRECIATION>                                  45,296
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 330,455
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,684
<BONDS>                                        136,676
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                1
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     152,731
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   330,455
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                12,823
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,168
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,091
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,931
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,376
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,376
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    401
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         0
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28