<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ESSEX PROPERTY
TRUST, INC., REPORT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          17,494
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   29,526
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,845
<PP&E>                                         971,051
<DEPRECIATION>                                  83,866
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 955,411
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,539
<BONDS>                                        384,778
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                2
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     388,852
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   955,411
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,890
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   16,125
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,141
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,934
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,690
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,690
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,454
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.45