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

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           4,926
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,524
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         763,001
<DEPRECIATION>                                 101,898
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 703,277
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            9,212
<BONDS>                                        306,472
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         10
<COMMON>                                           251
<OTHER-SE>                                     335,036
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   703,277
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                64,675
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                39,617
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,296
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,762
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,762
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,762
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27