<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ESSEX
PROPERTY TRUST, INC. REPORT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          23,086
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,577
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                67,711
<PP&E>                                       1,029,561
<DEPRECIATION>                                  95,404
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,056,362
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           48,436
<BONDS>                                        372,917
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                2
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     391,453
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,056,362
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                39,536
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   17,522
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,284
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,808
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,750
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,750
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,750
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.69