<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POST PROPERTIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000903127
<NAME> POST PROPERTIES, INC.
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<CASH> 15,322,000
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 2,167,761,000
<DEPRECIATION> 235,032,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,984,151,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 787,328,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0
<PREFERRED> 50,000
<COMMON> 360,000
<OTHER-SE> 982,194,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,984,151,000
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 219,409,000
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 113,482,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 23,488,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> 74,572,000
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 55,690,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 55,690,000
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.62
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.60