<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000793934
<NAME>                                                 PS PARTNERS VIII, LTD.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                1
<CURRENCY>                                                             U.S. $
       
<S>                                                                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                           9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                 DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                     JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                      SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                             1
<CASH>                                                                513,000
<SECURITIES>                                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         (4,000)
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                0
<INVENTORY>                                                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                      509,000
<PP&E>                                                             17,339,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    (5,510,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                     17,536,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                 370,000
<BONDS>                                                                     0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                       0
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<COMMON>                                                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                                         17,166,000
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<SALES>                                                                     0
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<CGS>                                                                       0
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<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                            0
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<INCOME-TAX>                                                                0
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<DISCONTINUED>                                                              0
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<CHANGES>                                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                                        1,121,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                           18.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                           18.79
        

</TABLE>