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 <C>



                                                               Exhibit (27)
<ARTICLE> 5
 <CIK>    0000049600
<NAME>    EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                                                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                                                3,411
<SECURITIES>                                                         13,419
<RECEIVABLES>                                                             0
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                                               0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                          0
<PP&E>                                                              685,185
<DEPRECIATION>                                                      (67,274)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      664,001
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                     0
<BONDS>                                                             275,414
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                         108,535
<COMMON>                                                                  2
<OTHER-SE>                                                          260,005
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        664,001
<SALES>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                     71,348
<CGS>                                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                        16,251
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     34,804
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                   13,549
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                           0
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                  21,008
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         21,008
<EPS-BASIC>                                                             .86
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                           .86