<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This  schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from Essex
Property Trust,  Inc. year ended report for the three months ended June 30, 1997
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  

<PERIOD-TYPE>                                            3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                       JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                  19,827
<SECURITIES>                                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                                           19,439
<ALLOWANCES>                                                 0
<INVENTORY>                                                  0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        45,000
<PP&E>                                                 532,109
<DEPRECIATION>                                          52,942
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         531,355
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   24,764
<BONDS>                                                179,932
<COMMON>                                                     1
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  1
<OTHER-SE>                                             300,404
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                           531,355
<SALES>                                                      0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                        19,580
<CGS>                                                        0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            9,143
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         1,498
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       2,867
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          7,321
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      7,321
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                            104
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                              6254
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             0.42