UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q



[x]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
      ACT OF 1934


     For the quarterly period ended           March 31, 1998
                                     -------------------------------------------


                                       OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the transition period from ______________ to _____________
     Commission file number  0-15459
                            --------


                       McNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXIII, L.P.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



         California                                         33-0139793
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                            (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)



             13760 Noel Road, Suite 600, LB70, Dallas, Texas, 75240
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code        (972) 448-5800
                                                    ----------------------------


Indicate  by check  mark  whether  the  registrant,  (1) has filed  all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during the  preceding  12 months and (2) has been  subject to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No 
                                      ---  ---





                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       MCNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXIII, L.P.

                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                                           March 31,        December 31,
                                                                             1998               1997
                                                                       ---------------     ---------------

ASSETS
- ------

Real estate investments:
                                                                                                 
   Land.....................................................           $       239,966     $       239,966
   Buildings and improvements...............................                 6,270,985           6,260,613
                                                                        --------------      --------------
                                                                             6,510,951           6,500,579
   Less:  Accumulated depreciation..........................                (3,271,580)         (3,197,623)
                                                                        --------------      --------------
                                                                             3,239,371           3,302,956

Cash and cash equivalents...................................                   346,405             308,271
Cash segregated for security deposits.......................                    44,322              43,947
Accounts receivable and other assets........................                    13,824              16,818
Escrow deposits.............................................                    44,141              50,876
                                                                        --------------      --------------

                                                                       $     3,688,063     $     3,722,868
                                                                        ==============      ==============

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
- ------------------------------------------

Mortgage note payable, net..................................           $     3,717,505     $     3,726,154
Accounts payable and accrued expenses.......................                    52,104              66,691
Accrued property taxes......................................                    29,001              44,676
Payable to affiliates - General Partner.....................                   436,421             402,922
Security deposits and deferred rental revenue...............                    63,736              50,364
                                                                        --------------      --------------
                                                                             4,298,767           4,290,807
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Partners' equity (deficit):
   Limited  partners - 45,000,000  Units  authorized; 
     11,492,696 and 11,512,696 Units outstanding at 
     March 31, 1998 and December  31, 1997,  respectively
     (6,631,985 and 6,651,985 Current Income Units out-
     standing at March 31, 1998 and  December  31,  1997,
     respectively;   4,860,711  Growth/Shelter  Units
     outstanding at March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997)...                (5,461,811)         (5,419,474)
   General Partner..........................................                 4,851,107           4,851,535
                                                                        --------------      --------------
                                                                              (610,704)           (567,939)
                                                                        --------------      --------------

                                                                       $     3,688,063     $     3,722,868
                                                                        ==============      ==============


The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                       McNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXIII, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                                                Three Months Ended
                                                                                     March 31,
                                                                       -----------------------------------
                                                                             1998                1997
                                                                       ---------------      --------------
Revenue:
                                                                                                 
   Rental revenue ..........................................           $       348,623     $       342,299
   Interest.................................................                     4,230               2,191
                                                                        --------------      --------------
     Total revenue..........................................                   352,853             344,490
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Expenses:
   Interest.................................................                    84,778              87,528
   Depreciation.............................................                    73,957              68,552
   Property taxes...........................................                    29,001              30,573
   Personnel expenses.......................................                    55,106              51,922
   Utilities................................................                    32,015              31,552
   Repairs and maintenance..................................                    35,386              34,656
   Property management fees - affiliates....................                    17,483              17,387
   Other property operating expenses........................                    15,338              13,090
   General and administrative...............................                    18,907              13,232
   General and administrative - affiliates..................                    33,647              33,683
                                                                        --------------      --------------
     Total expenses.........................................                   395,618             382,175
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Net loss....................................................           $       (42,765)    $       (37,685)
                                                                        ==============      ==============

Net loss allocated to limited
   partners - Current Income Units..........................           $        (3,849)    $        (3,392)
Net loss allocated to limited
   partners - Growth/Shelter Units..........................                   (38,488)            (33,916)
Net loss allocated to General Partner.......................                      (428)               (377)
                                                                        ---------------     --------------

Net loss....................................................           $       (42,765)    $       (37,685)
                                                                        ==============      ==============

Net loss per thousand limited partnership units:
   Current Income Units.....................................           $          (.58)    $          (.51)
                                                                        ==============      ==============

   Growth/Shelter Units.....................................           $         (7.92)    $         (6.98)
                                                                        ==============      ==============



The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.


                       MCNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXIII, L.P.

                    STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                   (Unaudited)

               For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997



                                                                                                  Total
                                                    General                  Limited             Partners'
                                                    Partner                 Partners          Equity (Deficit)
                                                 --------------          ---------------      ----------------
                                                                                                  
Balance at December 31, 1996..............       $    4,852,460          $   (5,327,850)       $     (475,390)

Net loss:
   General Partner........................                 (377)                      -                  (377)
   Current Income Units...................                    -                  (3,392)               (3,392)
   Growth/Shelter Units...................                    -                 (33,916)              (33,916)
                                                  -------------           -------------         -------------
     Total net loss.......................                 (377)                (37,308)              (37,685)
                                                  -------------           -------------         -------------

Balance at March 31, 1997.................       $    4,852,083          $   (5,365,158)       $     (513,075)
                                                  =============           =============         =============


Balance at December 31, 1997..............       $    4,851,535          $   (5,419,474)       $     (567,939)

Net loss:
   General Partner........................                 (428)                      -                  (428)
   Current Income Units...................                    -                  (3,849)               (3,849)
   Growth/Shelter Units...................                    -                 (38,488)              (38,488)
                                                  -------------           -------------         -------------
     Total net loss.......................                 (428)                (42,337)              (42,765)
                                                  -------------           -------------         -------------

Balance at March 31, 1998.................       $    4,851,107          $   (5,461,811)       $     (610,704)
                                                  =============           =============         =============





The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.


                       MCNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXIII, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

                Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents



                                                                                Three Months Ended
                                                                                    March 31,
                                                                        ----------------------------------
                                                                             1998                1997
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Cash flows from operating activities:
                                                                                                 
   Cash received from tenants...............................           $       365,986     $       348,902
   Cash paid to suppliers...................................                  (172,630)           (178,649)
   Cash paid to affiliates..................................                   (17,631)            (21,641)
   Interest received........................................                     4,230               2,191
   Interest paid............................................                   (80,453)            (83,197)
   Property taxes paid and escrowed.........................                   (37,941)            (24,631)
                                                                        --------------      --------------
Net cash provided by operating activities...................                    61,561              42,975
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Additions to real estate investments.....................                   (10,372)             (5,307)
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Principal payments on mortgage note
     payable................................................                   (13,055)            (12,116)
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents...................                    38,134              25,552

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
   period...................................................                   308,271             193,812
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period..................           $       346,405     $       219,364
                                                                        ==============      ==============



The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                       MCNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXIII, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

     Reconciliation of Net Loss to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities



                                                                                Three Months Ended
                                                                                     March 31,
                                                                       ------------------------------------
                                                                             1998                1997
                                                                       ----------------    ----------------
                                                                                                  
Net loss....................................................           $       (42,765)    $       (37,685)
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided 
   by operating activities:
   Depreciation.............................................                    73,957              68,552
   Amortization of discount on mortgage
     note payable...........................................                     4,406               4,406
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Cash segregated for security deposits..................                      (375)               (219)
     Accounts receivable and other assets...................                     2,994               2,387
     Escrow deposits........................................                     6,735              17,210
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses..................                   (14,587)            (30,212)
     Accrued property taxes.................................                   (15,675)            (12,946)
     Payable to affiliates - General Partner................                    33,499              29,429
     Security deposits and deferred rental
       revenue..............................................                    13,372               2,053
                                                                        --------------      --------------
       Total adjustments....................................                   104,326              80,660
                                                                        --------------      --------------

Net cash provided by operating activities...................           $        61,561     $        42,975
                                                                        ==============      ==============




The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                       MCNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXIII, L.P.

                          Notes to Financial Statements
                                   (Unaudited)

                                 March 31, 1998


NOTE 1.
- -------

McNeil Real  Estate Fund XXIII,  L.P.  (the  "Partnership"),  formerly  known as
Southmark Realty Partners III, Ltd., was organized on March 4, 1985 as a limited
partnership under provisions of the California  Revised Limited  Partnership Act
to acquire  and  operate  residential  properties.  The  general  partner of the
Partnership is McNeil Partners, L.P. (the "General Partner"), a Delaware limited
partnership, an affiliate of Robert A. McNeil ("McNeil"). The principal place of
business for the Partnership  and the General Partner is 13760 Noel Road,  Suite
600, LB70, Dallas, Texas 75240.

In the opinion of management,  the financial  statements reflect all adjustments
necessary for a fair  presentation of the Partnership's  financial  position and
results  of  operations.  All  adjustments  were of a normal  recurring  nature.
However,  the results of  operations  for the three months ended March 31, 1998,
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending
December 31, 1998.

NOTE 2.
- -------

The  financial  statements  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  financial
statements  contained in the  Partnership's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the
year  ended  December  31,  1997,  and the  notes  thereto,  as  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission,  which is available upon request by writing
to McNeil Real Estate  XXIII,  L.P.,  c/o McNeil Real Estate  Management,  Inc.,
Investor Services, 13760 Noel Road, Suite 600, LB70, Dallas, Texas 75240.

NOTE 3.
- -------

The  Partnership  pays property  management fees equal to 5% of the gross rental
receipts for its property to McNeil Real Estate Management,  Inc. ("McREMI"), an
affiliate of the General Partner,  for providing property management and leasing
services.

The  Partnership  reimburses  McREMI  for  its  costs,  including  overhead,  of
administering the Partnership's affairs.

The  Partnership  incurs asset  management fees which are payable to the General
Partner.  Through  1999,  the asset  management  fee is  calculated as 1% of the
Partnership's  tangible asset value. Tangible asset value is determined by using
the greater of (i) an amount calculated by applying a capitalization  rate of 9%
to the  annualized  net  operating  income of each  property  or (ii) a value of
$10,000 per apartment unit to arrive at the property  tangible asset value.  The
property  tangible  asset  value is then  added to the book  value of all  other
assets excluding  intangible items. The fee percentage  decreases  subsequent to
1999.  Total accrued but unpaid asset  management fees in the amount of $230,761
were outstanding at March 31, 1998.


Compensation  and  reimbursements  paid to or  accrued  for the  benefit  of the
General Partner and its affiliates are as follows:



                                                                               Three Months Ended
                                                                                    March 31,
                                                                       -----------------------------------
                                                                            1998                 1997
                                                                       ---------------     ---------------
                                                                                                 
Property management fees....................................           $        17,483     $        17,387
Charged to general and administrative -
   affiliates:
   Partnership administration...............................                    12,674              14,427
   Asset management fee.....................................                    20,973              19,256
                                                                        --------------      --------------

                                                                       $        51,130     $        51,070
                                                                        ==============      ==============


Payable to  affiliates  - General  Partner at March 31,  1998,  and December 31,
1997,  consists primarily of unpaid asset management fees and reimbursable costs
that are due and payable from current operations.

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
- -------  ---------------------------------------------------------------
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
         ---------------------

FINANCIAL CONDITION
- -------------------

The occupancy  rate at Harbour Club II Apartments was 90% at March 31, 1998. The
occupancy  rate at December  31,  1997 was 89%.  Operations  at Harbour  Club II
Apartments  for the  first  quarter  provided  sufficient  cash  flow to pay the
property's  operating  expenses as well as debt service on the related  mortgage
note. However, the property is in need of major capital improvements in order to
compete  effectively  in  its  local  market.  The  Partnership  does  not  have
sufficient cash reserves to fund the needed capital  improvements,  nor does the
property  generate  sufficient  cash flow from  operations  to fund such capital
improvements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------

Revenue:

Rental  revenue at Harbour Club II Apartments  increased  $6,324 or 1.8% for the
first quarter of 1998 as compared to the first quarter of 1997. Management began
implementing  a 3%  increase  in base rental  rates  effective  January 1, 1998.
However,  part of the  increase  in rental  rates was offset by an  increase  in
vacancy losses.

Interest  income  increased  $2,039  or 93% for  the  first  quarter  of 1998 as
compared to the first quarter of 1997.  The increase was the result of increased
levels of Partnership  cash and cash  equivalents  invested in  interest-earning
accounts.

Expenses:

Total  Partnership  expenses  increased $13,443 or 3.5% for the first quarter of
1998 as compared to the first  quarter of 1997.  Increases in  depreciation  and
general and administrative  expenses were primarily responsible for the increase
in total Partnership expenses.

During the twelve  month  period ended March 31,  1998,  the  Partnership  added
$235,780 of capital  improvements  to Harbour Club II  Apartments.  Depreciation
charges  on  the  new  assets  account  for  the  $5,405  or  7.9%  increase  in
depreciation  expense  for the first  quarter of 1998 as  compared  to the first
quarter of 1997.

General and  administrative  expenses  increased  by $5,675 or 43% for the first
quarter of 1998 as  compared  to the first  quarter of 1997.  The  increase  was
mainly due to costs  incurred to explore  alternatives  to maximize the value of
the Partnership (see Liquidity and Capital Resources).

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------

The Partnership's operating activities provided $61,561 for the first quarter of
1998, a 43% increase over cash flow  provided  during the first quarter of 1997.
The increased cash flow from  operations  came from increased cash receipts from
tenants. An increase in cash payments for property taxes was offset by decreases
in cash payments to suppliers and affiliates.

Cash used for  additions  to real estate  improvements  totaled  $10,372 for the
three  months  ended  March 31, 1998 an increase  over the $5,307  expended  for
improvements for the same period of 1997.  Scheduled monthly principal  payments
on the  Partnership's  mortgage note totaled  $13,055 for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 as compared to $12,116 for the same period of 1997.

Short-term liquidity:

The Partnership's  balance of cash and cash equivalents  amounted to $346,405 at
March 31,  1998,  an  increase  of  $38,134  from the  balance  of cash and cash
equivalents   at  December  31,  1997.   The  General   Partner   considers  the
Partnership's  cash  reserves  adequate  for  anticipated   operations  for  the
remainder of 1998.

Operating  activities  at Harbour  Club II  Apartments  for 1998 are expected to
provide sufficient cash flow for operating expenses,  debt service payments, and
limited capital improvements.  However, Harbour Club II Apartments is in need of
extensive capital  improvements to enable the property to compete effectively in
the local market.  Projected cash flows from  operations will not be adequate to
fund such extensive  capital  improvements.  To date, the  Partnership  has been
unable to secure financing for the needed capital improvements.  The Partnership
has no established lines of credit from outside sources.

In the past, the General Partner,  at its discretion,  has advanced funds to the
Partnership to fund working  capital  requirements.  The General  Partner is not
obligated to advance funds to the Partnership and there is no assurance that the
Partnership will receive any additional funds.






Long-term liquidity:

The long-term  operating viability of Harbour Club II Apartments is dependent on
the  Partnership's  ability  to fund  substantial  capital  improvements  to the
property. If the Partnership does not liquidate,  as contemplated below, it will
seek to obtain  additional  financing to allow the  completion  of the extensive
capital improvements, which will enable the Partnership to raise rental rates at
the property to market rates.

Harbour Club II Apartments is part of a four-phase  apartment complex located in
Belleville,  Michigan. Phases I and III of the complex are owned by partnerships
in which the General Partner is the general partner;  while Phase IV is owned by
an  unaffiliated  entity.  McREMI  managed all four phases of the complex  until
December 1992, when the property  management  agreement between McREMI and Phase
IV was canceled.

Pursuant  to the  Partnership's  previously  announced  liquidation  plans,  the
Partnership  has recently  retained  PaineWebber,  Incorporated as its exclusive
financial  advisor  to  explore  alternatives  to  maximize  the  value  of  the
Partnership.  The  alternatives  being  considered by the  Partnership  include,
without limitation,  a transaction in which limited partnership interests in the
Partnership  are converted into cash. The General  Partner of the Partnership or
entities or persons  affiliated with the General Partner will not be involved as
a purchaser in any of the transactions  contemplated above. Any transaction will
be subject to certain conditions  including (i) approval by the limited partners
of the Partnership, and (ii) receipt of an opinion from an independent financial
advisory  firm  as  to  the  fairness  of  the  consideration  received  by  the
Partnership  pursuant to such  transaction.  Finally,  there can be no assurance
that any transaction will be consummated, or as to the terms thereof.

Distributions

To maintain adequate cash balances of the Partnership,  distributions to Current
Income Unit holders were suspended in 1988.  There have been no distributions to
Growth/Shelter Unit holders. Distributions to Unit holders will remain suspended
for the  foreseeable  future.  The General  Partner will continue to monitor the
cash reserves and working  capital needs of the  Partnership  to determine  when
cash flows will support distributions to the Unit holders.





                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
- -------  --------------------------------

(a)      Exhibits.

         Exhibit
         Number                     Description
         -------                    -----------

         4.                         Amended and  Restated  Limited   Partnership
                                    Agreement     dated    March    30,    1992.
                                    (Incorporated  by  reference  to the Current
                                    Report of the  Registrant  on Form 8-K dated
                                    March 30, 1992, as filed on April 10, 1992).

         11.                        Statement  regarding   computation  of   Net
                                    Income    (Loss)   per   Thousand    Limited
                                    Partnership  Units:  Net  income  (loss) per
                                    thousand  limited  partner units is computed
                                    by dividing net income  (loss)  allocated to
                                    the limited partners by the weighted average
                                    number   of   limited    partnership   units
                                    outstanding expressed in thousands. Per unit
                                    information has been computed based on 6,632
                                    and   6,652   Current   Income   Units   (in
                                    thousands)  outstanding  in 1998  and  1997,
                                    respectively, and 4,861 Growth/Shelter Units
                                    (in thousands) outstanding in 1998 and 1997.

         27.                        Financial  Data   Schedule  for  the quarter
                                    ended March 31, 1998.

b)       Reports on  Form  8-K.  There  were no reports on Form 8-K filed during
         the quarter ended March 31, 1998.






                       McNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXIII, L.P.

                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                McNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXIII, L.P.

                                By:  McNeil Partners, L.P., General Partner

                                     By: McNeil Investors, Inc., General Partner





May 14, 1998                         By:  /s/  Ron K. Taylor
- ------------                            ----------------------------------------
Date                                      Ron K. Taylor
                                          President and Director of McNeil 
                                            Investors, Inc.
                                          (Principal Financial Officer)




May 14, 1998                         By:  /s/  Carol A. Fahs
- ------------                            ----------------------------------------

Date                                      Carol A. Fahs
                                          Vice President of McNeil 
                                            Investors, Inc.
                                          (Principal Accounting Officer)