<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000702276
<NAME>                                                        PS PARTNERS, LTD.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                  1
<CURRENCY>                                                               U.S. $
       
<S>                                                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                        MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                               1
<CASH>                                                                  561,000
<SECURITIES>                                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                            55,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                  0
<INVENTORY>                                                                   0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                        616,000
<PP&E>                                                               54,708,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                     (23,631,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                       34,596,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                 1,015,000
<BONDS>                                                                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                                      0
<OTHER-SE>                                                           13,138,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                         34,596,000
<SALES>                                                                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                      2,733,000
<CGS>                                                                         0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                         1,084,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                        593,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                            0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                         685,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                  0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                     685,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                                            685,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                              9.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              9.08
        

</TABLE>