<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)