<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     (Replace this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000702276
<NAME>                                                   PS PARTNERS , LTD.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                              1
<CURRENCY>                                                           U.S. $
       
<S>                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                  JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                           1
<CASH>                                                              695,000
<SECURITIES>                                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        70,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                                               0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                    765,000
<PP&E>                                                           55,239,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                 (24,810,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   34,198,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             1,018,000
<BONDS>                                                                   0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<COMMON>                                                                  0
<OTHER-SE>                                                       13,136,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     34,198,000
<SALES>                                                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  8,534,000
<CGS>                                                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     3,136,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  1,838,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   2,283,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               2,283,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      2,283,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         30.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         30.65
        

</TABLE>