<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,684
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,746
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         615,271
<DEPRECIATION>                                  36,128
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 604,927
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        196,034
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         10
<COMMON>                                           244
<OTHER-SE>                                     365,480
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   604,927
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                63,516
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,884
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,952
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,680
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,680
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,669
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.14