<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Extended Stay America, Inc. as of
June 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000 
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997 
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                        174,998
<SECURITIES>                                        0 
<RECEIVABLES>                                   4,493 
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0 
<INVENTORY>                                         0 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              182,277       
<PP&E>                                        686,393      
<DEPRECIATION>                                      0    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                869,572      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          36,515    
<BONDS>                                             0  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                          953
<OTHER-SE>                                          0       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  869,572        
<SALES>                                             0          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               48,791          
<CGS>                                               0          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  63,196          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             (14,405)      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (6,971)       
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (348)      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 0      
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                  (6,623)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       0 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0