<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000793934
<NAME>                                                PS PARTNERS VIII, LTD.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                               1
<CURRENCY>                                                            U.S. $
       
<S>                                                                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                          6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                    JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                     JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                            1
<CASH>                                                               441,000
<SECURITIES>                                                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         11,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                                               0
<INVENTORY>                                                                0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                     452,000
<PP&E>                                                            17,308,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   (5,368,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    17,572,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                409,000
<BONDS>                                                                    0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                      0
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<COMMON>                                                                   0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        17,163,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                      17,572,000
<SALES>                                                                    0
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<CGS>                                                                      0
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     327,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                         0
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<INCOME-TAX>                                                               0
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<DISCONTINUED>                                                             0
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<CHANGES>                                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         717,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                          11.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          11.96
        

</TABLE>