<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS 
ENDED 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>                                          12,459
<SECURITIES>                                   304,204
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,673
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (750)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                19,382
<PP&E>                                       1,308,750
<DEPRECIATION>                               (103,597)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,620,117
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           61,844
<BONDS>                                        800,219
<COMMON>                                           301
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         17
<OTHER-SE>                                     665,980
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,620,117
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                98,791
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 (27,407)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (21,782)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (21,321)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,760
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,760
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (12,563)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,187
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .53