<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Amounts in thousands
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000909111
<NAME> Colonial Properties Trust
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US Dollars
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.0
<CASH> 2,674
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 12,771
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 1,853,647
<DEPRECIATION> (243,641)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,930,096
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 0
0
50
<COMMON> 263
<OTHER-SE> 451,475
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,930,096
<SALES> 218,787
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 218,787
<CGS> 118,275
<TOTAL-COSTS> 118,275
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (4,052)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 52,097
<INCOME-PRETAX> 52,467
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 52,467
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (418)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 24,345
<EPS-BASIC> 1.14
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.14
</TABLE>