<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POST PROPERTIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                       5,977,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                   1,069,371,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             171,479,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             927,776,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                    452,384,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       219,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 346,655,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               927,776,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           126,482,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               63,925,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          16,738,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             38,298,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         31,710,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                31,710,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0