<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Essex
Portfolio, L.P. report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          18,080
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   29,259
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                42,217
<PP&E>                                         943,177
<DEPRECIATION>                                  77,789
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 931,796
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,047
<BONDS>                                        361,515
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                2
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     389,797
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   931,796
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               125,268
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   59,881
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,227
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   930
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,092
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,138
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,138
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  4,718
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,420
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.41