<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000793934
<NAME>                                                PS PARTNERS VIII, LTD.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                               1
<CURRENCY>                                                            U.S. $
       
<S>                                                                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                          3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                   JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                     MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                            1
<CASH>                                                               354,000
<SECURITIES>                                                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          8,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                                               0
<INVENTORY>                                                                0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                     362,000
<PP&E>                                                            17,279,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   (5,224,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    17,573,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                377,000
<BONDS>                                                                    0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                                0
<COMMON>                                                                   0
<OTHER-SE>                                                        17,196,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                      17,573,000
<SALES>                                                                    0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                     735,000
<CGS>                                                                      0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                        227,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     158,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                         0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      350,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                                               0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                  350,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         350,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                           5.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                           5.82

        

</TABLE>