<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SIMON
DEBARTOLO GROUP, LP'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          64,309
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  172,811
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,692
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                       5,301,021
<DEPRECIATION>                                 279,072
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,895,910
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                      3,681,984
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,945,174<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,895,910
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               747,704
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  416,192
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             202,182
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                134,663
<INCOME-TAX>                                   134,663
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            134,663
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,521)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   131,142
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.99<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.99<F3>
<FN>
<F1>The Registrant does not use a classified balance sheet.
<F2>The Registrant is a partnership.  The amount is partners' equity.
<F3>Because the Registrant is a partnership, this amount is earnings per unit of
partnership interest.
</FN>