<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POST PROPERTIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       4,060,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                   1,228,647,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             191,632,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,063,141,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                    510,637,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     10,000
<COMMON>                                       221,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 401,771,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,063,141,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           138,194,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               70,682,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          16,722,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             44,385,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         36,148,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 75,000
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                36,073,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0