<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                             678
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,805
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         741,187
<DEPRECIATION>                                  78,323
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 696,907
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,653
<BONDS>                                        302,487
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         10
<COMMON>                                           251
<OTHER-SE>                                     325,665
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   696,907
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                25,904
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,055
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,203
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (11,354)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (11,354)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (11,354)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       (.49)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.49)