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                                                                  Exhibit 23(a)



                        INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
                        -----------------------------




The Trustees and Shareholders
EastGroup Properties:

We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.



                                        KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP



Jackson, Mississippi
December 11, 1996