<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Essex
Portfolio, L.P. report for the nine months ended September 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          24,577
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,251
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               107,401
<PP&E>                                       1,175,608
<DEPRECIATION>                               (111,041)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,229,175
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           49,068
<BONDS>                                        545,113
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                2
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     629,632
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,229,175
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               129,306
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   56,611
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,468
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,620
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 50,760
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             50,760
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    50,760
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.79