<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Essex
Portfolio, L.P. report for the year ended December 31, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          29,564
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,655
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                55,714
<PP&E>                                       1,049,490
<DEPRECIATION>                                  96,605
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,062,313
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,221
<BONDS>                                        384,108
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     623,603
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,062,313
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               146,045
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   67,856
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,829
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,268
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 61,067
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             61,067
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    214
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    60,853
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.37