<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000795196
<NAME> JOHN HANCOCK REALTY INCOME FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                       2,039,038
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<BONDS>                                              0
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<OTHER-SE>                                  24,528,240
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                24,963,374
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,486,198
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  443,596
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               398,135
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                644,467
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
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<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   644,467
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     7.23
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