  Spatial and spectral analysis of deep ROSAT HRI and PSPC observations of the
near edge-on starburst galaxy NGC 253 reveal diffuse soft X-ray emission, which
contributes 80% to its total X-ray luminosity (L$_{\rm X} = 5 10^{39}$ \ergsec,
corrected for foreground absorption). The nuclear area, disk, and halo
contribution to the luminosity is about equal. The starburst nucleus itself is
highly absorbed and not visible in the ROSAT band.
  We describe in detail spectra and morphology of the emission from the nuclear
area, disk and halo and compare our results to observations at other
wavelengths and from other galaxies. (abridged)
