<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POST APARTMENT HOMES, L.P. 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>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                 427,554,000
<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>                         39,152,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                39,152,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0