<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION   EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000014846
<NAME> BRT REALTY TRUST
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
                                                       
                                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           6,209
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  89,613
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                         26,421
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0 
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        26,906
<OTHER-SE>                                      33,986
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    89,613
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                13,556
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,780
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,246
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,246
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,246
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26