<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                             319
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,714
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         749,248
<DEPRECIATION>                                  88,831
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 695,173
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            9,941
<BONDS>                                        295,724
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         10
<COMMON>                                           251
<OTHER-SE>                                     341,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   695,173
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,398
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,178
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,466
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (5,246)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (5,246)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (5,246)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       (.23)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.23)