<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           5,612
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,480
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,000)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                16,092
<PP&E>                                       2,592,832
<DEPRECIATION>                               (161,423)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,563,256
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           92,125
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         18
<COMMON>                                           379
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,074,184
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,563,256
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               255,858
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 (73,706)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (57,452)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (32,013)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 68,520
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             68,520
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                      (1,976)
<NET-INCOME>                                    66,544
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.18