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                                                                  Exhibit 23(b)

                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS




        As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in the Form S-3 filed by EastGroup Properties of our
report to the Board of Directors of Copley Properties, Inc. dated March 15,
1996 included in EastGroup's current report on Form 8-K dated June 19, 1996 and
to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement.



                                        /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                        

December 10, 1996
Boston, Massachusetts