SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                           --------------------------


                                    FORM 8-K



                                 Current Report
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934



           Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): April 22, 2003




                           EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
                        --------------------------------------
                  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)





        Maryland                       1-7094                     13-2711135
-----------------------       --------------------------     -------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)      (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)                                            Identification No.)


        300 One Jackson Place, 188 East Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39201
        -----------------------------------------------------------------
          (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code)

                                  (601)354-3555
                 ----------------------------------------------------
                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not Applicable
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





ITEM 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed with this Form 8-K:

99.1     Press Release dated April 22, 2003



ITEM 9. Regulation FD Disclosure (Information provided under Item 12 -
Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition).

Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Release No. 33-8216,  dated March
27, 2003, the  information  provided  herein  required by Item 12 of Form 8-K is
being filed under Item 9 of Form 8-K.

On April 22, 2003,  we issued a press  release,  which sets forth our results of
operations  for the quarter ended March 31, 2003. A copy of the press release is
attached  hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated  herein by reference.  Such
information  shall not be deemed  "filed"  for  purposes  of  Section  18 of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  as  amended,  and is  not  incorporated  by
reference into any filing of the company,  whether made before or after the date
hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.









                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:    April 22, 2003

                                    EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.



                                    By:/s/ N. KEITH MCKEY
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       N. Keith McKey
                                       Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                       Officer and Secretary








                                  Exhibit Index



Exhibit 99.1               Press Release dated April 22, 2003.







                                                                    Exhibit 99.1



FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
David H. Hoster II, President and Chief Executive Officer
N. Keith McKey, Chief Financial Officer
(601) 354-3555



                         EASTGROUP PROPERTIES ANNOUNCES
                           FIRST QUARTER 2003 RESULTS

o    Funds from Operations of $11.8 Million and $.61 Per Share
o    Net Income  Available to Common  Shareholders  of $3.2 Million and $.19 Per
     Share
o    Paid  93rd  Consecutive  Quarterly  Dividend,  $.475  Per  Share,  Eleventh
     Consecutive Year of Dividend Increases
o    Percentage Leased 90.5%, Occupancy 89.8%
o    Development  Projects of $27.8 Million Under Construction or In Lease-Up
o    Debt-to-Total Market Capitalization of 38.4% at Quarter End


JACKSON,  MISSISSIPPI,  April 22, 2003 - EastGroup  Properties,  Inc. (NYSE-EGP)
announced  today the results of its  operations for the three months ended March
31, 2003.

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

For the quarter ended March 31, 2003,  funds from operations  (FFO) was $.61 per
share  compared  with $.63 per share in the same  period of 2002,  a decrease of
3.2% per share.  Gain on securities was $.015 per share for the first quarter of
2003 and $.022 per share for the same period in 2002.

Property net  operating  income  (PNOI) from same  properties  held for both the
current and past reporting  periods  decreased .6%. Rental  decreases on new and
renewal leases averaged 2.8% for the quarter.

David H. Hoster II,  President and CEO,  stated,  "During the first quarter,  we
signed 95 leases for almost 1.6 million  square feet (8.5% of the portfolio) for
both renewal and new leases.  This is a definite  positive  given the  continued
sluggishness in the U.S. economy."

Mr. Hoster  added,  "In March,  we increased  our common share  dividend 1.1% to
$.475 per share ($1.90 per share annually), making 2003 the eleventh consecutive
year of dividend growth."

EARNINGS PER SHARE

On a diluted per share  basis,  earnings  per share (EPS) was $.19 for the three
months ended March 31, 2003 compared with $.22 for the same period in 2002.

DEVELOPMENT

The  incremental  growth of  EastGroup's  current  development  program and 2002
property  transfers  to the  portfolio  has added PNOI of  $632,000 to the first
quarter of 2003. At March 31, 2003,  EastGroup had seven development  properties
containing  510,000  square feet with a projected  cost of  approximately  $27.8
million either in lease-up or under construction.  Of this total,  approximately
13% of the space had been leased as of April 22, 2003.

During  the  first  quarter,  EastGroup  purchased  9.9  acres  of land  for new
development  in the World Houston  International  Business  Center for $901,000.
This Center is  strategically  situated  at the main  entrance to George H. Bush
International  Airport.  EastGroup  currently  owns  1,136,000  square  feet  of
industrial space that is 92.9% leased in World Houston,  has 128,000 square feet
in development  lease-up and sufficient  land to develop  approximately  another
900,000 square feet.

World Houston XIV (77,000 square feet) in Houston with total costs of $3,106,000
and Americas Ten  Business  Center I in El Paso (98,000  square feet) with total
costs of $3,304,000 were  transferred  from  development to the portfolio during
the first quarter of 2003.  These  properties  are currently 65% and 26% leased,
respectively,  with expected  straight-line  rent yields of 10.4% and 10.5%.  In
addition, the expansion of Chamberlain  Distribution Center (34,000 square feet)
in Tucson was transferred to the portfolio with costs of $1,345,000. Chamberlain
expansion is currently 100% occupied with an expected  straight-line  rent yield
of 12.4%.

SALES

During the first quarter, EastGroup sold Air Park Distribution Center II (17,000
square feet) in Memphis for $485,000.  The  transaction  generated a small gain,
which is recorded in  discontinued  operations.  The sale of Air Park is part of
our  continuing  program of recycling  capital,  and the sale  proceeds  will be
reinvested in industrial assets in our core markets.


INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS

EastGroup has a carrying  amount of $122,000 in its ownership of 487,100  shares
of Pacific  Gulf  Properties,  which is in the final  stage of  liquidating  its
assets.  During  the  first  quarter,   EastGroup  sold  all  of  its  remaining
investments in other REITs and realized gains of $282,000.

STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION

EastGroup's balance sheet continues to be strong and flexible with debt-to-total
market  capitalization  of 38.4% at March 31, 2003. Total debt at March 31, 2003
was $328.0 million with floating rate bank debt comprising $81.2 million of that
total.

DIVIDENDS

EastGroup paid dividends of $.475 per share of common stock in the first quarter
of 2003,  which  represented  78% of funds from operations per diluted share for
the quarter.  This dividend was the 93rd consecutive  quarterly  distribution to
EastGroup's  common  stockholders and represents an annualized  dividend rate of
$1.90 per share, which yields 7.2% on the closing stock price of $26.57 on April
21, 2003.

EastGroup  also paid  quarterly  dividends  of $.5625  per share on its Series A
Preferred Stock and $.547 per share on its Series B Preferred Stock on April 15,
2003 to stockholders of record as of March 31, 2003.

OUTLOOK FOR 2003

FFO per share for 2003 is  estimated  to be in the range of $2.42 to $2.50.  FFO
per share  projections by quarter for the remainder of 2003 are $.60 to $.62 for
second  quarter,  $.60 to $.63 for  third  quarter  and $.61 to $.64 for  fourth
quarter. Earnings per share for 2003 should be in the range of $.60 to $.70.

CONFERENCE CALL

EastGroup  will host a  conference  call to  discuss  the  results  of its first
quarter and review the Company's  current  operations  on  Wednesday,  April 23,
2003, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The number for the conference call is 1-800-553-3734, ID
#3374602.  A taped  recording of the call can be accessed 24 hours a day through
Wednesday, April 30, 2003 by dialing 1-888-211-2648; the passcode is 3374602.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Supplemental  financial  information  is  available  by request  by calling  the
Company at  601-354-3555,  or by accessing the report in the Reports  Section of
the Company's website at www.eastgroup.net.

EastGroup Properties,  Inc. is a self-administered equity real estate investment
trust  focused on the  acquisition,  ownership  and  development  of  industrial
properties in major Sunbelt markets  throughout the United States.  Its strategy
for  growth  is based  on its  property  portfolio  orientation  toward  premier
distribution facilities clustered near major transportation centers. EastGroup's
portfolio currently includes 18.7 million square feet with an additional 510,000
square feet of properties under development.  EastGroup  Properties,  Inc. press
releases are also available on the Company's website.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical  information,  certain  statements in this release are
forward-looking,  such as those pertaining to the Company's hopes, expectations,
intentions,   beliefs,   strategies   regarding  the  future,   the  anticipated
performance  of  development  and  acquisition  properties,  capital  resources,
profitability  and portfolio  performance.  Forward-looking  statements  involve
numerous risks and uncertainties.  The following factors, among others discussed
herein,  could cause actual results and future events to differ  materially from
those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking  statements:  defaults or
nonrenewal of leases,  increased interest rates and operating costs,  failure to
obtain necessary outside  financing,  difficulties in identifying  properties to
acquire  and in  effecting  acquisitions,  failure to  qualify as a real  estate
investment   trust  under  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as  amended,
environmental  uncertainties,  risks  related  to  disasters  and the  costs  of
insurance to protect from such disasters, financial market fluctuations, changes
in real estate and zoning laws and  increases in real  property  tax rates.  The
success of the Company also  depends  upon the trends of the economy,  including
interest  rates,  income  tax  laws,   governmental   regulation,   legislation,
population  changes and those risk factors discussed  elsewhere in this release.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements,
which reflect management's analysis only as the date hereof. The Company assumes
no  obligation  to update  forward-looking  statements.  See also the  Company's
reports  to be  filed  from  time to  time  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


                           EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                  (UNAUDITED)




                                                              Three Months Ended
                                                                   March 31,
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                       2003                        2002
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                              
REVENUES
Income from real estate operations                $     26,487                      24,872
Interest                                                     5                         136
Gain on securities                                         282                         421
Other                                                       69                         144
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                        26,843                      25,573
                                                  ------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
Operating expenses from real estate operations           7,960                       7,108
Interest                                                 4,698                       4,175
Depreciation and amortization                            7,295                       7,105
General and administrative                               1,239                       1,087
Minority interest in joint ventures                         99                          93
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                        21,291                      19,568
                                                  ------------------------------------------

INCOME BEFORE GAIN ON SALE OF
  REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS                                5,552                       6,005
  Gain on sale of real estate investments                    -                          93
                                                  ------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                        5,552                       6,098
                                                  ------------------------------------------

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
  Income (loss) from real estate operations                 (2)                         12
  Gain on sale of real estate investments                  106                           -
                                                  ------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (A)                    104                          12
                                                  ------------------------------------------

NET INCOME                                               5,656                       6,110

Preferred dividends-Series A                               970                         970
Preferred dividends-Series B                             1,532                       1,532
                                                  -------------------------------------------

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS       $      3,154                       3,608
                                                  ===========================================

BASIC PER COMMON SHARE DATA
  Income from continuing operations               $       0.19                        0.23
  Income from discontinued operations                     0.01                        0.00
                                                  -------------------------------------------
  Net income available to common stockholders     $       0.20                        0.23
                                                  ===========================================

  Weighted average shares outstanding                   15,924                      15,772
                                                  ===========================================

DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA
  Income from continuing operations               $       0.18                        0.22
  Income from discontinued operations                     0.01                        0.00
                                                  -------------------------------------------
  Net income available to common stockholders     $       0.19                        0.22
                                                  ===========================================

  Weighted average shares outstanding                   16,282                      16,166
                                                  ===========================================



(A)  In accordance with SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal
     of  Long-Lived   Assets,"  income  (loss)  from   discontinued   operations
     represents  the  operations  and gain  (loss) on  disposal  for  properties
     classified to held for sale  subsequent to 12/31/01.  Prior period  amounts
     have been reclassified to be consistent with the 2003 presentation.


                         EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.
          RECONCILIATIONS OF OTHER REPORTING MEASURES TO NET INCOME
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                               (UNAUDITED)


                                                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                                                               March 31,
                                                                                --------------------------------------
                                                                                    2003                     2002
                                                                                --------------------------------------
                                                                                                        
RECONCILIATIONS OF OTHER REPORTING MEASURES TO NET INCOME:

    Income from real estate operations                                          $   26,487                   24,872
    Operating expenses from real estate operations                                  (7,960)                  (7,108)
                                                                                --------------------------------------
PROPERTY NET OPERATING INCOME (PNOI) (A)                                            18,527                   17,764

    Interest income                                                                      5                      136
    Gain on securities                                                                 282                      421
    Other income                                                                        69                      144
    General and administrative expense                                              (1,239)                  (1,087)
                                                                                ---------------------------------------

EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (EBITDA)             17,644                   17,378

    Income (loss) from discontinued operations
      (before depreciation and amortization)                                            (2)                      32
    Interest expense (B)                                                            (4,698)                  (4,175)
    Minority interest in earnings                                                     (139)                    (136)
    Dividends on Series A preferred shares                                            (970)                    (970)
                                                                                ----------------------------------------

FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (FFO) (A)                                                     11,835                   12,129

    Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations                        (7,295)                  (7,105)
    Depreciation and amortization from discontinued operations                           -                      (20)
    Share of joint venture depreciation and amortization                                40                       43
    Gain on sale of depreciable real estate investments                                106                       93
    Dividends on Series B convertible preferred shares                              (1,532)                  (1,532)
                                                                                -----------------------------------------

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS                                          3,154                    3,608

    Dividends on preferred shares                                                    2,502                    2,502
                                                                                -----------------------------------------

NET INCOME                                                                      $    5,656                    6,110
                                                                                =========================================

DILUTED PER COMMON SHARE DATA: (C)

Income from continuing operations                                               $     0.18                     0.22
Income from discontinued operations                                                   0.01                     0.00
                                                                                -----------------------------------------
Net income available to common stockholders                                     $     0.19                     0.22
                                                                                =========================================
Weighted average shares outstanding                                                 16,282                   16,166
                                                                                =========================================

Funds from operations                                                           $     0.61                     0.63
                                                                                =========================================
Weighted average shares outstanding for FFO purposes                                19,464                   19,348
                                                                                =========================================

(A) The Company's  chief decision  makers use two primary  measures of operating
results in making  decisions:  property net operating income (PNOI),  defined as
income from real estate  operations  less property  operating  expenses  (before
interest expense and depreciation and  amortization),  and funds from operations
(FFO).  EastGroup  defines funds from  operations  consistent  with the National
Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) definition,  as net income
(loss) (computed in accordance with accounting  principles generally accepted in
the United  State of America  (GAAP)),  excluding  gains or losses from sales of
depreciable  real estate  property,  plus real estate related  depreciation  and
amortization,  and after adjustments for  unconsolidated  partnerships and joint
ventures.  PNOI and FFO are supplemental industry reporting measurements used to
evaluate the performance of the Company's  investments in real estate assets and
its operating  results.  The Company believes that the exclusion of depreciation
and  amortization  in the  industry's  calculations  of  PNOI  and  FFO  provide
supplemental  indicators of the properties' performance since real estate values
have  historically  risen or  fallen  with  market  conditions.  PNOI and FFO as
calculated  by the  Company  may  not be  comparable  to  similarly  titled  but
differently  calculated measures for other REITS. Investors should be aware that
items  excluded  from  or  added  back  to FFO  are  significant  components  in
understanding and assessing the Company's financial performance.

(B) Net of  capitalized  interest of $486,000  and $532,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

(C) Assumes dilutive effect of common stock equivalents.