<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ESSEX
PROPERTY TRUST, INC. REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          22,329
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   52,754
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                79,596
<PP&E>                                       1,118,219
<DEPRECIATION>                                 102,350
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,152,876
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,752
<BONDS>                                        475,082
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                2
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     391,327
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,152,876
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                81,948
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   35,919
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,614
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,275
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,023
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,023
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,023
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.24