<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>
<CIK> 0000903127
<NAME> POST PROPERIES, INC.
       
                             
<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>                           138,161,000
<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>                                     1.62