<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POST PROPERTIES, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED 
MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000903127
<NAME> POST PROPERTIES INC
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                      32,321,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                   2,327,270,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             259,153,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,141,868,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                    869,881,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     50,000
<COMMON>                                       382,000
<OTHER-SE>                               1,048,373,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,141,868,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            80,796,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               41,089,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,217,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             29,406,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         21,878,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                458,000
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                21,420,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56