<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000024148
<NAME> CONTINENTAL REAL ESTATE PARTNERS LTD
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,065,816
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               261,549
<PP&E>                                      13,988,610
<DEPRECIATION>                              11,194,873
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,121,102
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,352,795
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,768,307
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,121,102
<SALES>                                        439,651
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               439,651
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               787,421
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (307,958)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (307,958)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (307,958)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (9.75)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (9.75)