<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FIRST INDUSTRIAL REALTY TRUST, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           8,360
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,676
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,450)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                16,586
<PP&E>                                       2,172,650
<DEPRECIATION>                               (131,452)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,154,692
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           72,719
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         18
<COMMON>                                           366
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,047,398
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,154,692
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                76,214
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 (22,095)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (16,530)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (14,761)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,531
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,531
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,531
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .45