<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Essex
Property Trust, Inc. quarterly report for the period ended March 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,651
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,381
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                15,599
<PP&E>                                         297,106
<DEPRECIATION>                                  42,456
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 282,620
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            9,844
<BONDS>                                        165,227
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,005
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   282,620
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,554
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,792
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   493
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,146
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,123
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,123
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,180)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         0
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.01)