<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-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          10,152
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  80,315
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                         11,562
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0 
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        26,657
<OTHER-SE>                                      39,880
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    80,315
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                17,155
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,509
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,333
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,333
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,333
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .86
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .86