<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Essex
Property Trust, Inc. report for the six months ended June 30, 1999
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          18,396
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   25,225
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,347
<PP&E>                                       1,042,912
<DEPRECIATION>                                  90,030
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,016,825
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           54,300
<BONDS>                                        440,485
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                2
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     380,966
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,016,825
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                68,789
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,189
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,390
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,184
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,419
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,419
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     90
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,329
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.94