<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RFS HOTEL INVESTORS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                             678
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,805
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         741,187
<DEPRECIATION>                                  78,323
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 696,907
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,653
<BONDS>                                        302,487
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         10
<COMMON>                                           251
<OTHER-SE>                                     325,665
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   696,907
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                25,904
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,055
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,203
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (11,354)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (11,354)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (11,354)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       (.49)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.49)