<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000795196
<NAME> JOHN HANCOCK REALTY INCOME FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                       3,122,874
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  150,013
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             3,229,228
<PP&E>                                      31,605,222
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,360,695
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              28,129,448
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          422,771
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  27,706,677
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                28,129,448
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               737,993
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  165,336
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               234,561
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                338,096
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            338,096
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   338,096
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.84