<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POST PROPERTIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,381,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                   1,109,342,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             177,672,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             958,675,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                    434,319,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       219,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 398,764,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               958,675,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           170,708,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               85,983,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          22,131,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             52,599,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         42,406,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                42,406,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0