<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Century
Properties Fund XX 1999 Third Quarter 10-QSB and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such 10-QSB filing.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000736909
<NAME> CENTURY PROPERTIES FUND XX
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           8,028
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          50,913
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,929
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  42,097
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0<F1>
<BONDS>                                         31,386
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (9,385)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    42,097
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,297
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,319
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,883
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,022)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (16.21)<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Registrant has an unclassified balance sheet.
<F2>Multiplier is 1.
</FN>