<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Essex
Portfolio, L.P. report for the nine months ended September 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 24,577
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 77,251
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 107,401
<PP&E> 1,175,608
<DEPRECIATION> (111,041)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,229,175
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 49,068
<BONDS> 545,113
2
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 629,632
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,229,175
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 129,306
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 56,611
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 5,468
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 20,620
<INCOME-PRETAX> 50,760
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 50,760
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 50,760
<EPS-BASIC> 1.82
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.79
</TABLE>