<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM STUDIO PLUS
HOTELS INC'S SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          31,663
<SECURITIES>                                    18,227
<RECEIVABLES>                                      739
<ALLOWANCES>                                        75
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,131
<PP&E>                                          91,426
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,766
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 143,498
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,358
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           125
<OTHER-SE>                                     132,169
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   143,498
<SALES>                                         18,217
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,801
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,078
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    61
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,277
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,448
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,829
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,829
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .34