SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                                                      


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                                                            
       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 18, 1996



                        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)



           Maryland                     0-12989               56-1431377
 (State or other jurisdiction  (Commission File Number)      (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)                                  Identification No.)


             400 East South Street, Suite 500              32801
                     Orlando, Florida                    (Zip Code)
         (Address of principal executive offices)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (407) 422-1574


ITEM 1.  CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT.

              Not applicable.

ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

              Not applicable.

ITEM 3.  BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP.

              Not applicable.

ITEM 4.  CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.

              Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

              On July 20, 1995, Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. (the
"Company") filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-61165,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits the issuance of a
combination of debt and equity securities of up to $200 million.  Pursuant to a
prospectus supplement filed as part of this registration statement on January 5,
1995, the Company intends to offer 3 million shares of common stock from the
shelf registration (the "Offering").  The net proceeds from the Offering are
estimated to be approximately $36.6 million at an assumed Offering price of
$13.125 per share (approximately $42.2 million if the underwriters' over
allotment option to purchase up to 450,000 additional shares is exercised in
full), after deducting estimated offering expenses and underwriting discounts.

              To secure long-term fixed rate financing, the Company has entered
into a $52.6 million mortgage loan commitment (the "Commitment") dated October
30, 1995 with Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, the proceeds of which
will be used to pay down the balance on the Company's $100 million credit
facility.  The permanent debt financing (the "Permanent Debt Financing") to be
made pursuant to the Commitment is secured by 42 properties designated in the
Commitment.  The Permanent Debt Financing consists of two loans that will bear
interest at a fixed weighted average rate of approximately 7.26 percent and will
have a weighted average maturity of 7.2 years.  The first loan of $13.2 million
was closed on December 14, 1995 and the second loan of $39.4 million is expected
to close in late January 1996.

              During the period October 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995, the
Company purchased three properties.  During January 1996, the Company intends to
purchase six properties and newly constructed buildings on seven land parcels it
currently owns.  The acquisition of these properties plus the properties
acquired in December 1995 are hereinafter referred to as the "Acquisition
Properties."  The total purchase price of the Acquisition Properties is expected
to be approximately $50.0 million.  The Company anticipates that the purchase of
the Acquisition Properties will be funded by a combination of net proceeds from
the Offering, the Permanent Debt Financing and the Company's $100 million credit
facility.

ITEM 6.  RESIGNATION OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS.

              Not applicable.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.


                INDEX TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                                                       Page
                        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.

Pro Forma Financial Information (unaudited):
   
   Pro Forma Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1995                    4

   Pro Forma Statement of Earnings for the nine months ended
     September 30, 1995                                                5

   Pro Forma Statement of Earnings for the year ended
     December 31, 1994                                                 6

   Notes to Pro Forma Financial Statements for the nine months
     ended September 30, 1995 and the year ended December 31, 1994     7


                         PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

      The pro forma information of the Company gives effect to (i) $46.7 million
in net proceeds from the sale of 4,000,000 shares in the prior offering (the
"Prior Offering Transaction"), and (ii) the completion and sale of 3,000,000
shares of common stock offered hereby at an Offering Price of $13.125 per share
and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the receipt of $52.6 million
of proceeds from the Permanent Debt Financing, the purchase of the Acquisition
Properties for approximately $50.0 million and the repayment of approximately
$39.3 million previously drawn under the Company's $100 million credit facility
(the "Credit Facility") (collectively, the "Offering Transactions").

      The pro forma statements of earnings for the year ended December 31, 1994
and the nine months ended September 30, 1995 give effect to the Prior Offering
Transaction and the Offering Transactions as if such transactions had occurred
on January 1, 1994.  Such pro forma statements of earnings also treat all
properties acquired during the year ended December 31, 1994 and the nine months
ended September 30, 1995 and the Acquisition Properties as if they had been
acquired and fully leased as of January 1, 1994.  The Pro Forma Balance Sheet as
of September 30, 1995, gives effect to the Offering Transactions as if such
transactions had occurred on September 30, 1995.

      The pro forma information does not purport to represent what the Company's
financial position or results of operations actually would have been if the
transactions reflected had in fact occurred on the date or at the beginning of
the period indicated, or to project the Company's financial position or results
of operations at any future date or any future period.


                        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
                        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1995

                      (In thousands, except per share data)



                                                      Pro Forma 
          ASSETS                      Historical     Adjustments    Pro Forma
                                      ----------    ------------    ---------

Land and buildings on operating
  leases, net of accumulated
  depreciation (c)                     $152,174     $ 50,744 (a)    $202,918
Net investment in direct financing
  leases (c)                             52,512                       52,512
Cash and cash equivalents                   162          115 (a)
                                                         (84)(b)         193
Receivables                                 500                          500
Prepaid expenses                            291                          291
Loan costs, net of accumulated
  amortization                              587        1,059 (b)       1,646
Accrued rental income                     1,823                        1,823
Deferred offering costs                     165         (165)(b)          - 
Other assets                              1,503       (1,159)(a)         344
                                       --------     --------        --------

                                       $209,717     $ 50,510        $260,227
                                       ========     ========        ========

      LIABILITIES AND
    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities:
  Notes payable                        $ 72,900     $ 49,700 (a)
                                                     (36,409)(b)    $ 86,191
  Accrued interest payable                  138                          138
  Accounts payable and accrued
    expenses                                401          609 (b)       1,010
  Dividends payable                       3,382                        3,382
  Real estate taxes payable                  80                           80
  Due to related parties                    142                          142
  Rents paid in advance and tenant
    deposits                                121                          121
                                       --------     --------        --------
      Total liabilities                  77,164       13,900          91,064
                                       --------     --------        --------

Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock                              117           30 (b)         147
  Capital in excess of par value        138,629       36,580 (b)     175,209
  Accumulated dividends in excess
    of net earnings                      (6,193)                      (6,193)
                                       --------     --------        --------
                                        132,553       36,610         169,163
                                       --------     --------        --------

                                       $209,717     $ 50,510        $260,227
                                       ========     ========        ========



                        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995

                      (In thousands, except per share data)



                                                      Pro Forma 
                                      Historical     Adjustments    Pro Forma
                                      ----------     -----------    ---------

Revenues:
  Rental income from operating
    leases (2)                          $10,163      $ 6,767 (1)     $16,930
  Earned income from direct
    financing leases (2)                  3,855          334 (1)       4,189
  Contingent rental income                  579                          579
  Interest and other income                  98           44 (3)         142
                                        -------      -------         -------
                                         14,695        7,145          21,840
                                        -------      -------         -------

Expenses:
  General operating and
    administrative                          551           45 (4)         596
  Advisory fees to related party            740          248 (5)         988
  Interest                                2,335        2,502 (6)       4,837
  Taxes                                     188           96 (7)         284
  Depreciation and amortization           1,463          936 (8)            
                                                         101 (9)       2,500
                                        -------      -------         -------
                                          5,277        3,928           9,205
                                        -------      -------         -------

Net Earnings                            $ 9,418      $ 3,217         $12,635
                                        =======      =======         =======

Earnings per share of common stock      $  0.81                      $  0.86
                                        =======                      =======

Funds from operations (10)              $10,659                      $14,812
                                        =======                      =======

Weighted average number of shares
  outstanding                            11,664                       14,664
                                        =======                      =======


                        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994

                      (In thousands, except per share data)



                                                    Pro Forma 
                                     Historical    Adjustments      Pro Forma
                                     ----------    -----------      ---------

Revenues:
  Rental income from operating
    leases (2)                         $ 8,116     $14,457 (1)       $22,573
  Earned income from direct
    financing leases (2)                 3,123       2,463 (1)         5,586
  Contingent rental income                 829                           829
  Interest and other income                221         (37)(3)           184
                                       -------     -------           -------
                                        12,289      16,883            29,172
                                       -------     -------           -------

Expenses:
  General operating and
    administrative                         605         153 (4)           758
  Advisory fees to related party           728         615 (5)         1,343
  Interest                                 498       5,421 (6)         5,919
  Taxes                                    213         269 (7)           482
  Depreciation and amortization          1,330       1,828 (8)  
                                                       193 (9)         3,351
                                       -------     -------           -------
                                         3,374       8,479            11,853
                                       -------     -------           -------

Net Earnings                           $ 8,915     $ 8,404           $17,319
                                       =======     =======           =======


Earnings per share of common stock     $  1.04                       $  1.18
                                       =======                       =======

Funds from operations (10)             $ 9,992                       $20,222
                                       =======                       =======

Weighted average number of shares
  outstanding                            8,606                        14,664
                                       =======                       =======



                        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
                NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994

                             (Dollars in thousands)


Pro Forma Balance Sheet:
- -----------------------

(a)   Represents draw on the Company's Credit Facility used to acquire the
      Acquisition Properties for approximately $50,744 (approximately $1,059 of
      which had been paid in miscellaneous acquisition costs as of September 30,
      1995).  Per the Credit Facility agreement, draws must be made in
      increments of $100, and as a result, approximately $15 of the draw was
      added to working capital.  Approximately $100 of the Credit Facility was
      used to reimburse working capital for previously paid deposits on
      Acquisition Properties.

(b)   Represents estimated gross proceeds of $39,375 from the issuance of 3
      million shares of stock from the Offering and loan proceeds of $52,600
      from the Permanent Debt Financing used to pay down approximately $89,009
      of the Credit Facility, to pay stock issuance costs of $2,765 ($165 of
      which had been paid in deferred offering costs as of September 30, 1995)
      and loan costs of $1,059.  In connection with the above, it is assumed the
      Company used $84 of its working capital reserve and incurred $609 in loan
      costs payable.

(c)   In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, leases in
      which the present value of the future minimum lease payments equals or
      exceeds 90 percent of the value of the related properties are treated as
      direct financing leases rather than as land and buildings.  The
      categorization of the lease has no effect on the rental revenues received.

Pro Forma Statements of Earnings:
- --------------------------------

(1)   Represents rental income as if the properties acquired during the year
      ended December 31, 1994 and the nine months ended September 30, 1995 (the
      "New Properties") and the Acquisition Properties had been acquired and
      fully leased on January 1, 1994.

(2)   See Note (c) under "Pro Forma Balance Sheet" above.

(3)   Represents adjustments to interest income due to the change in the amount
      of cash available for investment in interest bearing accounts from the
      receipt of rental income before dividends are paid to shareholders as a
      result of the Prior Offering Transaction and the Offering Transactions. 
      The adjusted pro forma interest income does not include interest income
      from the investment of offering proceeds.  Pro forma interest income
      decreased for the year ended December 31, 1994 due to a decrease in the
      amount of cash available for investment in interest bearing accounts as a
      result of the acquisition of the New Properties and the Acquisition
      Properties.  Interest income on interest bearing accounts is assumed to be
      earned at a rate of four percent per annum based on the previous
      experience of the Company.

(4)   Represents additional expenses due to incremental expenses associated with
      additional shares of common stock outstanding and due to increased unused
      commitment fees under the Credit Facility.

(5)   Represents adjustment to advisory fees due to the increase in rental
      revenues and funds from operations (as defined in the Company's advisory
      agreement with its advisor).

(6)   Represents adjustment in interest expense and other loan costs primarily
      as a result of the pro forma  increase in indebtedness in connection with
      the Offering Transactions.  Pro forma interest expense for the nine months
      ended September 30, 1995 and the year ended December 31, 1994,  was based
      on the average 30-day LIBOR rates in effect for those periods of 6.01
      percent and 4.47 percent, respectively, plus 1.70 percent relating to the
      Credit Facility and a weighted average interest rate of approximately 7.26
      percent relating to the Permanent Debt Financing.




                        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
          NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
                      AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994

                             (Dollars in thousands)


Pro Forma Statements of Earnings - Continued
- --------------------------------------------

(7)   Represents additional expenses assumed to have been incurred as a result
      of additional state taxes based on additional rental revenue.  Due to the
      fact that the Company's leases are on a net-lease basis, the Company has
      not included any amounts for real estate taxes in the pro forma statements
      of earnings.

(8)   Represents adjustment to depreciation expense for the New Properties and
      the Acquisition Properties as if the properties had been acquired and
      fully leased on January 1, 1994.  The building portion of the properties
      accounted for as operating leases are depreciated using the straight-line
      method over their estimated useful lives which is generally 40 years.

(9)   Represents adjustment to amortization expense as the result of the
      amortization of estimated loan costs incurred in connection with the
      Company's Permanent Debt Financing and additional amortization of the loan
      costs relating to the Company's Credit Facility as if the Credit Facility
      was available as of January 1, 1994.

(10)  Funds from operations has been calculated in accordance with the
      definition of "funds from operations" recently clarified by the National
      Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) defined as net
      income, computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
      principles, excluding gains or losses from debt restructurings and sales
      of property, plus depreciation and after adjustments for unconsolidated
      partnerships and joint ventures.  Under the method previously used by the
      Company which included adjustments to net income for amortization of
      deferred financing costs and non-cash lease accounting adjustments, funds
      from operations would have been $14,273 and $10,351 for the pro forma nine
      months ended September 30, 1995 and the historical nine months ended
      September 30, 1995, respectively, and would have been $19,521 and $9,731
      for the pro forma year ended December 31, 1994 and the historical year
      ended December 31, 1994, respectively.  Non-cash lease accounting
      adjustments for the pro forma nine months ended September 30, 1995 and for
      the historical nine months ended September 30, 1995 were $862 and $530,
      respectively.  Non-cash lease accounting adjustments for the pro forma
      year ended December 31, 1994 and the historical year ended December 31,
      1994 were $1,149 and $515, respectively.  Funds from operations should not
      be considered as a substitute for net income as an indication of the
      Company's performance or as a substitute for cash flow as a measure of its
      liquidity.



                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------

                        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.


EXHIBIT NO.       DESCRIPTION
- -----------       -----------

1.2               Purchase Agreement, which is being filed pursuant to
                  Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(1) in lieu of filing the
                  otherwise required exhibit to the Registration Statement
                  on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), File No. 33-
                  61165, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
                  "Securities Act"), and which, since this Form 8-K filing
                  is incorporated by reference in such Registration
                  Statement, is set forth in full in such Registration
                  Statement.  (Filed herewith.)

5                 Opinion of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge, which is
                  being filed pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(5)
                  in lieu of the otherwise required exhibit to the
                  Registration Statement under the Securities Act, and
                  which, since this Form 8-K filing is incorporated by
                  reference in such Registration Statement, is set forth
                  in full in such Registration Statement.  (Filed
                  herewith.)

8                 Opinion of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge, which is
                  being filed pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(8)
                  in lieu of the otherwise required exhibit to the
                  Registration Statement under the Securities Act, and
                  which, since this Form 8-K filing is incorporated by
                  reference in such Registration Statement, is set forth
                  in full in such Registration Statement.  (Filed
                  herewith.)

10.14             Second Amended and Restated Line of Credit and Security
                  Agreement, dated December 7, 1995, among Registrant,
                  certain lenders listed therein and First Union National
                  Bank of Florida, as the Agent relating to a $100,000,000
                  loan.  (Filed herewith.)

10.15             Secured Promissory Note, dated December 14, 1995, among
                  Registrant and Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company
                  relating to a $13,150,000 loan.  (Filed herewith.)

10.16             Mortgage and Security Agreement, dated December 14,
                  1995, among Registrant and Principal Mutual Life
                  Insurance Company relating to a $13,150,000 loan. 
                  (Filed herewith.)

10.17             The Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended
                  December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-12989) (Incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

10.18             The Proxy Statement relating to the 1994 Annual Meeting
                  of Stockholders (File No. 0-12989) (Incorporated herein
                  by reference.)

23                Consents of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge (contained
                  in the opinions filed as Exhibits 5 and 8 hereto), which
                  is being filed pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item
                  601(b)(23) in lieu of the otherwise required exhibit to
                  the Registration Statement under the Securities Act, and
                  which, since this Form 8-K filing is incorporated by
                  reference in such Registration Statement, is set forth
                  in full in such Registration Statement.  (Filed
                  herewith.)

24.2              Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.  (Filed herewith.)

ITEM 8.     CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.

            Not applicable.



                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be filed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                          COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.


Dated:  January 18, 1996                        By: /s/ Robert A. Bourne        
                                                ------------------------
                                                ROBERT A. BOURNE, President




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NO.       DESCRIPTION                                            PAGE
- -----------       -----------                                            ----

1.2               Purchase Agreement, which is being filed pursuant
                  to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(1) in lieu of
                  filing the otherwise required exhibit to the
                  Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
                  "Registration Statement"), File No. 33-61165,
                  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
                  "Securities Act"), and which, since this Form 8-K
                  filing is incorporated by reference in such
                  Registration Statement, is set forth in full in
                  such Registration Statement.  (Filed herewith.)

5                 Opinion of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge,
                  which is being filed pursuant to Regulation S-K,
                  Item 601(b)(5) in lieu of the otherwise required
                  exhibit to the Registration Statement under the
                  Securities Act, and which, since this Form 8-K
                  filing is incorporated by reference in such
                  Registration Statement, is set forth in full in
                  such Registration Statement.  (Filed herewith.)

8                 Opinion of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge,
                  which is being filed pursuant to Regulation S-K,
                  Item 601(b)(8) in lieu of the otherwise required
                  exhibit to the Registration Statement under the
                  Securities Act, and which, since this Form 8-K
                  filing is incorporated by reference in such
                  Registration Statement, is set forth in full in
                  such Registration Statement.  (Filed herewith.)

10.14             Second Amended and Restated Line of Credit and
                  Security Agreement, dated December 7, 1995, among
                  Registrant, certain lenders listed therein and
                  First Union National Bank of Florida, as the Agent
                  relating to a $100,000,000 loan.  (Filed
                  herewith.)

10.15             Secured Promissory Note, dated December 14, 1995,
                  among Registrant and Principal Mutual Life
                  Insurance Company relating to a $13,150,000 loan. 
                  (Filed herewith.)

10.16             Mortgage and Security Agreement, dated December
                  14, 1995, among Registrant and Principal Mutual
                  Life Insurance Company relating to a $13,150,000
                  loan.  (Filed herewith.)

10.17             The Annual Report to Shareholders for the year
                  ended December 31, 1994 (File No. 0-12989)
                  (Incorporated herein by reference.)

10.18             The Proxy Statement relating to the 1994 Annual
                  Meeting of Stockholders (File No. 0-12989)
                  (Incorporated herein by reference.)

23                Consents of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge
                  (contained in the opinions filed as Exhibits 5 and
                  8 hereto), which is being filed pursuant to
                  Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(23) in lieu of the
                  otherwise required exhibit to the Registration
                  Statement under the Securities Act, and which,
                  since this Form 8-K filing is incorporated by
                  reference in such Registration Statement, is set
                  forth in full in such Registration Statement. 
                  (Filed herewith.)

24.2              Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.  (Filed
                  herewith.)