<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF STUDIO PLUS HOTELS, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          34,678
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      740
<ALLOWANCES>                                       102
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                36,378
<PP&E>                                         119,040
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,549
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 146,240
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,039
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           125
<OTHER-SE>                                     133,488
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   146,240
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                25,271
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,534
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,157
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    99
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,481
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,307
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,174
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,174
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .45