<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Essex
Portfolio, L.P. report for the nine months ended September 30, 1999
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                      
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          21,160
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   30,971
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                55,740
<PP&E>                                       1,146,329
<DEPRECIATION>                                  92,774
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,129,526
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           64,462
<BONDS>                                        436,663
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     620,829
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,129,526
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               106,535
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,704
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,633
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,744
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,454
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             37,454
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     90
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    41,583
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.66