<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           4,576
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,007
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (600)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,983
<PP&E>                                         881,109
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (74,293)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 866,140
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           31,258
<BONDS>                                        396,817
<COMMON>                                           241
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         17
<OTHER-SE>                                     405,125
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   866,140
<SALES>                                         30,645
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                30,645
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,921
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   100
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,638
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,582
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,582
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    821
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,761
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21