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 period ended             September 30, 1996
                          ------------------------------------------------------


                                       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  0-15460
                            ---------



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





         California                                    33-0168395
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)




             13760 Noel Road, Suite 700, 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
                                      ---  ---

                       MCNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXVI, L.P.

                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------- --------------------
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                                         September 30,        December 31,
                                                                            1996                 1995
                                                                       ----------------     ---------------
ASSETS
- -------
Real estate investments:
                                                                                                 
   Land.....................................................           $     6,750,456      $    9,189,092
   Buildings and improvements...............................                53,709,446          56,695,050
                                                                        --------------       -------------
                                                                            60,459,902          65,884,142
   Less:  Accumulated depreciation and amortization.........               (21,005,809)        (21,255,141)
                                                                        --------------       -------------
                                                                            39,454,093          44,629,001

Asset held for sale.........................................                 4,095,374                   -

Cash and cash equivalents...................................                 2,291,803           6,761,516
Cash segregated for security deposits.......................                   225,145             202,396
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
   accounts of $582,765 and $596,156 at September 30, 1996
   and December 31, 1995, respectively......................                 1,400,425           1,096,937
Prepaid commissions.........................................                   357,900             379,444
Prepaid expenses and other assets...........................                   635,616             716,091
Deferred borrowing costs, net of accumulated
   amortization of $192,473 and $125,641 at Septem-
   ber 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively.........                   380,689             431,838
                                                                        --------------       -------------
                                                                       $    48,841,045      $   54,217,223
                                                                        ==============       =============

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

Mortgage notes payable......................................           $    21,904,787      $   22,144,921
Mortgage note payable - affiliate...........................                         -             952,538
Accounts payable and accrued expenses.......................                   241,783             358,856
Accrued property taxes......................................                   259,315              59,864
Payable to affiliates - General Partner.....................                    62,944           2,983,409
Advances from affiliates - General Partner..................                         -             168,330
Security deposits and deferred rental revenue...............                   230,238             210,496
                                                                        --------------       -------------
                                                                            22,699,067          26,878,414
                                                                        --------------       -------------

Partners' equity (deficit):
   Limited  Partners  -90,000,000  Units  authorized;
     86,533,671 and 86,548,983 Units issued and 
     outstanding at September 30, 1996 and
     December 31, 1995, respectively........................                26,527,610          27,716,222
   General Partner..........................................                  (385,632)           (377,413)
                                                                        --------------       -------------
                                                                            26,141,978          27,338,809
                                                                        --------------       -------------
                                                                       $    48,841,045      $   54,217,223
                                                                        ==============       =============


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 XXVI, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)



                                           Three Months Ended                      Nine Months Ended
                                               September 30,                         September 30,
                                      ---------------------------------    ---------------------------------
                                           1996               1995              1996               1995
                                      --------------    ---------------    --------------     --------------
Revenue:
                                                                                             
   Rental revenue................     $    2,201,332     $    2,059,713    $    6,584,975      $   5,709,792
   Interest......................             29,933             25,509           150,172             66,891
   Gain on legal settlement......                  -                  -                 -             59,874
                                       -------------      -------------     -------------       ------------
     Total revenue...............          2,231,265          2,085,222         6,735,147          5,836,557
                                       -------------      -------------     -------------       ------------

Expenses:
   Interest......................            441,012            327,998         1,327,994            793,193
   Interest - affiliates.........                  -             30,622            16,090             90,851
   Depreciation and
     amortization................            665,724            846,195         2,036,655          2,104,899
   Property taxes................            186,650            196,962           595,118            589,813
   Personnel expenses............            208,043            201,652           611,881            610,167
   Utilities.....................            256,755            273,716           766,602            822,897
   Repair and maintenance........            222,765            223,662           738,678            677,257
   Property management
     fees - affiliates...........            121,639            113,899           373,088            318,600
   Other property operating
     expenses....................            138,622            161,866           440,602            422,854
   General and administrative....             36,947             22,428            95,442             59,470
   General and administrative -
     affiliates..................            179,744            184,564           554,863            569,226
   Loss on demolition and
     removal of assets...........                  -                  -                 -          1,247,940
                                       -------------      -------------     -------------      -------------
     Total expenses..............          2,457,901          2,583,564         7,557,013          8,307,167
                                       -------------      -------------     -------------      -------------

Net loss.........................     $     (226,636)    $     (498,342)   $     (821,866)    $   (2,470,610)
                                       =============      =============     =============      =============

Net loss allocable
   to limited partners...........     $     (224,370)    $     (493,359)   $     (813,647)    $   (2,445,904)
Net loss allocable
   to General Partner............             (2,266)            (4,983)           (8,219)           (24,706)
                                       -------------      -------------     -------------      -------------
Net loss.........................     $     (226,636)    $     (498,342)   $     (821,866)    $   (2,470,610)
                                       =============      =============     =============      =============

Net loss per thousand
   limited partnership unit......     $        (2.59)    $        (5.70)   $        (9.40)    $       (28.26)
                                       =============      =============     =============      =============

Distributions per thousand
   limited partnership unit......     $         4.33     $            -    $         4.33     $            -
                                       =============      =============     =============      =============



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 XXVI, L.P.

                    STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                   (Unaudited)

              For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995




                                                                                                  Total
                                                                                                  Partners'
                                                    General                 Limited               Equity
                                                    Partner                 Partners              (Deficit)
                                                 ---------------         ---------------       ---------------
                                                                                                 
Balance at December 31, 1994..............       $     (326,783)         $   32,728,638        $   32,401,855

Net loss..................................              (24,706)             (2,445,904)           (2,470,610)
                                                  --------------          -------------         -------------

Balance at September 30, 1995.............       $     (351,489)         $   30,282,734        $   29,931,245
                                                  =============           =============         =============


Balance at December 31, 1995..............       $     (377,413)         $   27,716,222        $   27,338,809

Net loss..................................               (8,219)               (813,647)             (821,866)

Limited partner distribution..............                    -                (374,965)             (374,965)
                                                  -------------           -------------         -------------

Balance at September 30, 1996.............       $     (385,632)         $   26,527,610        $   26,141,978
                                                  =============           =============         =============



















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 XXVI, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

                Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents



                                                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                                September 30,
                                                                  -----------------------------------------
                                                                        1996                     1995
                                                                  -----------------        ----------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                                                                                 
   Cash received from tenants........................             $      6,261,641         $     5,392,120
   Cash received from legal settlement...............                            -                  59,874
   Cash paid to suppliers............................                   (2,807,695)             (2,904,342)
   Cash paid to affiliates...........................                   (3,848,416)               (307,742)
   Interest received.................................                      150,172                  66,891
   Interest paid.....................................                   (1,168,527)               (552,637)
   Interest paid to affiliates.......................                      (53,903)                (81,220)
   Property taxes paid and escrowed..................                     (332,027)               (288,540)
                                                                   ---------------          --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
   activities........................................                   (1,798,755)              1,384,404
                                                                   ---------------          --------------

Net cash used in investing activities:
   Additions to real estate investments..............                     (957,121)             (8,231,176)
                                                                   ---------------          --------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Principal payments on mortgage notes payable......                     (240,134)                (92,278)
   Proceeds from mortgage notes financing............                            -               6,890,027
   Retirement of mortgage note - affiliate...........                     (952,538)                      -
   Repayments of advances from affiliates -
     General Partner.................................                     (130,517)                      -
   Deferred borrowing costs paid.....................                      (15,683)                      -
   Limited partner distribution......................                     (374,965)                      -
                                                                   ---------------          --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
   activities........................................                   (1,713,837)              6,797,749
                                                                   ---------------          --------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
   equivalents.......................................                   (4,469,713)                (49,023)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
   period............................................                    6,761,516               1,473,850
                                                                   ---------------          --------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...........             $      2,291,803         $     1,424,827
                                                                   ===============          ==============


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 XXVI, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

          Reconciliation of Net Loss to Net Cash Provided by (Used In)
                              Operating Activities



                                                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                                                September 30,
                                                                  -----------------------------------------
                                                                         1996                    1995
                                                                  -----------------       -----------------
                                                                                                  
Net loss.............................................             $       (821,866)       $      2,470,610)
                                                                   ---------------         ---------------

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash 
   provided by (used in)  operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization.....................                    2,036,655               2,104,899
   Amortization of deferred borrowing costs..........                       66,832                 117,810
   Allowance for doubtful accounts...................                      (13,391)               (243,765)
   Interest added to advances from affiliates -
     General Partner.................................                            -                   9,631
   Loss on demolition and removal of assets..........                            -               1,247,940
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Cash segregated for security deposits...........                      (22,749)                 32,981
     Accounts receivable.............................                     (290,097)                (83,541)
     Prepaid commissions.............................                       21,544                  16,427
     Prepaid expenses and other assets...............                       80,475                (278,038)
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses...........                     (154,886)                 98,213
     Accrued property taxes..........................                      199,451                 276,628
     Payable to affiliates - General Partner.........                   (2,920,465)                580,084
     Security deposits and deferred rental
       revenue.......................................                       19,742                 (24,255)
                                                                   ---------------          --------------

       Total adjustments.............................                     (976,889)              3,855,014
                                                                   ---------------          --------------

Net cash provided by (used in) operating
   activities........................................             $     (1,798,755)        $     1,384,404
                                                                   ===============          ==============








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 XXVI, L.P.

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                               September 30, 1996

                                   (Unaudited)

NOTE 1.
- -------

McNeil Real Estate Partners XXVI, L.P., (the  "Partnership"),  formerly known as
Southmark  Equity Partners III, Ltd. was organized on March 4, 1985 as a limited
partnership under the provisions of the California  Revised Limited  Partnership
Act to acquire and operate  residential and commercial  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 700, 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 nine months ended September 30, 1996
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending
December 31, 1996.

NOTE 2.
- -------

The  financial  statements  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  financial
statements contained in the Partnership's Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31,  1995,  and the notes  thereto,  as filed with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission,  which is available upon request by writing to McNeil Real
Estate  Fund XXVI,  L.P.  c/o McNeil  Real  Estate  Management,  Inc.,  Investor
Services, 13760 Noel Road, Suite 700, LB70, Dallas, Texas 75240.

NOTE 3.
- -------

Certain  reclassifications  have been made to prior period amounts to conform to
the current presentation.

NOTE 4.
- -------

The  Partnership  pays  property  management  fees  equal to 5% of gross  rental
receipts for its  residential  property and 6% of gross rental  receipts for its
commercial  properties to McNeil Real Estate Management,  Inc.,  ("McREMI"),  an
affiliate of the General Partner, for providing property management services for
the Partnership's residential and commercial properties and leasing services for
its residential property. McREMI may also choose to provide leasing services for
the  Partnership's  commercial  properties,  in which case McREMI  will  receive
property  management  fees from such  commercial  properties  equal to 3% of the
property's  gross  rental  receipts  plus  leasing   commissions  based  on  the
prevailing market rate for such services where the property is located.

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


The  Partnership  is incurring an asset  management  fee which is 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 for  residential  property and $50 per gross square
foot for commercial property 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.

The  General  Partner  has,  in its  discretion,  advanced  funds to enable  the
Partnership to meet its working capital requirements. These advances, which were
unsecured  and due on  demand,  accrue  interest  at a rate  equal to the  prime
lending rate plus 1%.

The advances from affiliates at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 consist
of the following:



                                                                   September 30,             December 31,
                                                                       1996                     1995
                                                                  ----------------         ---------------
                                                                                                 
Advances from General Partner........................             $              -        $        130,518
Accrued interest payable.............................                            -                  37,812
                                                                   ---------------         ---------------
                                                                  $              -        $        168,330
                                                                   ===============         ===============


In May 1996, the Partnership  repaid all outstanding  affiliate advances and the
related accrued interest.

In March  1993,  the  Partnership  obtained a loan from  McNeil Real Estate Fund
XXVII,  L.P., an affiliate of the General Partner,  which allows the Partnership
to borrow funds  totaling  $1,536,000.  Of this amount  available,  $952,538 was
borrowed at December 31,  1995.  The note was secured by  Continental  Plaza and
required monthly interest-only  payments equal to the prime lending rate of Bank
of America plus 2 1/2% with the principal  balance due March 1, 1996. On January
8, 1996 the Partnership repaid the mortgage loan.

















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



                                                                            Nine Months Ended
                                                                               September 30,
                                                                  ----------------------------------------
                                                                        1996                     1995
                                                                  ----------------        ----------------
                                                                                                 
Property management fees - affiliates................             $        373,088        $        318,600
Charged to interest - affiliates:
   Interest on advances from affiliates - General
     Partner.........................................                        4,692                   9,631
   Interest on mortgage note payable - affiliate.....                       11,398                  81,220
Charged to general and administrative affiliates:
   Partnership administration........................                      154,642                 220,054
   Asset management fee..............................                      400,221                 349,172
                                                                   ---------------         ---------------
                                                                  $        944,041        $        978,677
                                                                   ===============         ===============


The total  payable to  affiliates - General  Partner at  September  30, 1996 and
December 31, 1995 consisted  primarily of unpaid asset management fees, property
management fees and partnership general and administrative  expenses and are due
and payable from current operations.

NOTE 5.
- -------

In 1996, the  Partnership  adopted the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board's
Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  121,  "Accounting  for the
Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for  Long-Lived  Assets to be Disposed Of."
This statement  requires the cessation of  depreciation on assets held for sale.
Since Edison Ford Square is  currently  classified as an asset held for sale, no
depreciation was taken effective April 1, 1996.

NOTE 6.
- -------

The Partnership  recognized a loss on the Northway Mall renovation of $1,247,940
in 1995.  This loss is due to the  demolition  or  removal  of assets  that were
previously capitalized.


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

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

The  Partnership  was formed to  acquire,  operate and  ultimately  dispose of a
portfolio of income-producing properties. At September 30, 1996, the Partnership
owned one apartment  property,  two office  buildings and two shopping  centers.
Three of the Partnership's properties are subject to mortgage notes.


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

Revenue:

Total  Partnership  revenue was $2,231,265 and $6,735,147 for the three and nine
months ended  September 30, 1996,  respectively,  as compared to $2,085,222  and
$5,836,557 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1995, respectively.

Rental revenue for the three and nine months ended  September 30, 1996 increased
by $141,619 or 7% and  $875,183  or 15%,  respectively,  as compared to the same
periods of 1995. This increase is primarily due to the increased  occupancy rate
at Northway Mall as a result of the recent capital improvements program.

Interest income increased $4,424 and $83,281 for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1996,  respectively,  as compared to the same periods of 1995. The
increase  is due to the  higher  cash  balance  maintained  as a  result  of the
December 1995 Northway Mall mortgage refinancing.

The Partnership  received cash and common and preferred stock in the reorganized
Southmark  in  settlement  of  its  bankruptcy  claims  against  Southmark.  The
Partnership  recognized a $59,874 gain in the second quarter of 1995 as a result
of this settlement.

Expenses:

Total  expenses were  $2,457,901  and  $7,557,013  for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1996, respectively, as compared to $2,583,564 and $8,307,167
for the three and nine months ended  September  30, 1995,  respectively.  During
1995,  the  Partnership  recognized a loss on the Northway  Mall  renovation  of
$1,247,940 for the demolition and removal of assets previously capitalized.

Interest expense  increased  $113,014 and $534,801 for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1996, respectively,  as compared to the same periods of 1995
due to the December 1995 mortgage refinancing at Northway Mall.

Interest  expense - affiliates  decreased  $30,622 and $74,761 for the three and
nine months  ended  September  30, 1996,  respectively,  as compared to the same
periods of 1995 due to the  repayment  of the loan from  McNeil Real Estate Fund
XXVII,  L.P. in January  1996,  as well as the  repayment of all  advances  from
affiliates in May 1996.

Repairs and maintenance  increased $61,421 or 9% for nine months ended September
1996,  as compared to the same period of 1995.  The increase is primarily due to
an  increase  in repairs  and  maintenance  expenses  at  Northway  Mall that is
attributable to the increased  occupancy,  as well as the increased snow removal
expenses at the property due to the winter weather.

Property management fees - affiliates  increased $7,740 or 7% and $54,488 or 17%
for the three  and nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996,  respectively,  as
compared to the same periods of 1995.  The increased  occupancy at Northway Mall
led to an increase in tenant receipts on which the management fee is based.

General and administrative  expenses increased $35,972 for the nine months ended
September  30,  1996,  as compared  to the same period of 1995 due to  increased
professional fees.




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

Cash flow used in operations was $1,798,755 for the nine months ended  September
30, 1996 as compared to  $1,384,404  provided  for the same period of 1995.  The
change in cash flow from operations is primarily due to an increase in cash paid
to  affiliates.  With the loan proceeds of the Northway  Mall's  financing,  the
Partnership paid $3.8 million to affiliates  including  accrued asset management
fees and overhead  reimbursements to McREMI. The increased occupancy at Northway
Mall led to an  increase  in  tenant  receipts.  The  increase  in cash  paid to
suppliers  is  primarily  due to Northway  Mall's  renovations.  The increase in
interest paid is due to the Northway  Mall's new mortgage  loan.  Property taxes
paid and escrowed increased due to the refund of escrow overage in 1995.

Additions to real estate investments  totaled $957,121 for the nine months ended
September  30,  1996 as  compared  to  $8,231,176  for the same  period of 1995.
Proceeds from mortgage notes  financing  totaled  $6,890,027 for the nine months
ended  September  30,  1995.  The  Partnership  has  undergone  a major  capital
improvement  program  at  Northway  Mall  in 1995  which  greatly  enhanced  the
property's  performance.  The funding for this program came from a  construction
mortgage loan  encumbering  Northway Mall, as well as mortgage loans  previously
obtained on Westwood  Center and  Continental  Plaza.  Permanent  financing  was
obtained in December 1995.

Total  principal  payments on mortgage  notes payable were $240,134 for the nine
months  ended  September  30, 1996 as compared to $92,278 for the same period of
1995. With the loan proceeds of Northway Mall, the Partnership  repaid a loan of
$952,538 from McNeil Real Estate Fund XXVII, L.P., and advances of $130,517 from
affiliates  in the first  half of 1996.  The  Partnership  also paid  additional
deferred  borrowing costs of $15,683 relating to the Northway Mall's refinancing
in 1995 and distributed $374,965 to the limited partners.

Short-term liquidity:

The General  Partner has  established a revolving  credit facility not to exceed
$5,000,000 in the aggregate  which is available on a "first-come,  first-served"
basis  to  the  Partnership  and  other  affiliated  partnerships,   if  certain
conditions  are met.  Borrowing  under the facility may be used to fund deferred
maintenance,  refinancing  obligations  and working  capital needs.  There is no
assurance that the Partnership will receive any funds under the facility because
no amounts have been reserved for any  particular  partnership.  As of September
30, 1996,  $4,082,159  remained  available  for  borrowing  under the  facility;
however,  additional  funds  could  be  available  as other  partnerships  repay
existing borrowings. This commitment will terminate on March 30, 1997.

Additionally, the General Partner has, in its discretion,  advanced funds to the
Partnership in addition to the revolving credit facility. The General Partner is
not obligated to advance funds to the Partnership and there is no assurance that
the Partnership will receive additional funds.

The present cash balance  plus cash to be provided by  operating  activities  is
considered  adequate to meet the  Partnership's  needs for debt service,  normal
amounts of repairs and  maintenance  and capital  improvements  to preserve  and
enhance the value of the properties. The Partnership has budgeted $1,941,000 for
necessary capital improvements for all properties in 1996.





Long-term liquidity:

While the present  outlook for  Partnership's  liquidity  is  favorable,  market
conditions may change and property  operations can  deteriorate.  In that event,
the Partnership  would require other sources of working  capital.  No such other
sources have been  identified,  and the Partnership has no established  lines of
credit.  Other possible actions to resolve working capital  deficiencies include
refinancing or  renegotiating  terms of existing loans,  deferring major capital
expenditures on Partnership properties except where improvements are expected to
enhance the  competitiveness  or marketability  of the properties,  or arranging
working capital support from affiliates.  No affiliate support has been required
in the past,  and there is no assurance  that  support  would be provided in the
future, since neither the General Partner nor any affiliates have any obligation
in this regard.

The  partnership  has  determined  to begin an  orderly  liquidation  of all the
Partnership's assets. Although there can be no assurance as to the timing of any
liquidation  it  is   anticipated   that  such   liquidation   would  result  in
distributions  to the limited partners of the cash proceeds from the sale of the
Partnership's properties, subject to cash reserve requirements, as they are sold
with  the  last  property   disposition  before  December  2001  followed  by  a
dissolution  of the  Partnership.  In this regard,  the  Partnership  has placed
Edison Ford Square on the market for sale.

The mortgage  notes payable on Amargosa  Creek  Apartments  and Westwood  Center
mature in 1998 and the  Partnership  expects to  refinance  these  notes at that
time.

Distributions:

During the third quarter of 1996, the  Partnership  distributed  $374,965 to the
limited partners.

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
- -------  -----------------

HCW Pension Real Estate Fund,  Ltd. et al. v. Ernst & Young,  BDO Seidman et al.
(Case  #92-06560-A).  This suit was filed on behalf of the Partnership and other
affiliated partnerships (the "Affiliated  Partnerships") on May 26, 1992, in the
14th Judicial  District Court of Dallas  County.  The petition  sought  recovery
against the  Partnership's  former  auditors,  Ernst & Young, for negligence and
fraud in  failing  to detect  and/or  report  overcharges  of  fees/expenses  by
Southmark  Corporation  ("Southmark"),  the former general  partner.  The former
auditors initially asserted  counterclaims  against the Affiliated  Partnerships
based on  alleged  fraudulent  misrepresentations  made to the  auditors  by the
former  management of the  Affiliated  Partnerships  (Southmark)  in the form of
client  representation  letters  executed  and  delivered  to  the  auditors  by
Southmark  management.  The counterclaims sought recovery of attorneys' fees and
costs incurred in defending this action.  The counterclaims were later dismissed
on appeal, as discussed below.








The trial court granted summary  judgment  against the Partnership  based on the
statute of limitations; however, on appeal, the Dallas Court of Appeals reversed
the trial court and remanded for trial the Affiliated Partnerships' fraud claims
against  Ernst  &  Young.  The  Texas  Supreme  Court  denied  Ernst  &  Young's
application for writ of error on January 11, 1996. The Partnership is continuing
to pursue  vigorously its claims against Ernst & Young.  Trial is anticipated to
be set for early December 1996;  however,  the final outcome of this  litigation
cannot be determined at this time.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

On September 20, 1996, High River announced that it had commenced a tender offer
for any and all units of the  Partnership at $0.092 per unit (the original offer
price of $0.096 was reduced by the August 1996  distributions  to unitholders of
$0.004 per unit).  The tender was  originally  due to expire  October 18,  1996,
however, this offer has been extended until November 22, 1996.


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  Current
                                     Report of the  Registrant on Form 8-K dated
                                     March  30,  1992,  as filed  on  April  10,
                                     1992).

         4.1                         Amendment  No.  1   to   the  Amended   and
                                     Restated Limited  Partnership  Agreement of
                                     McNeil Real Estate  Fund XXVI,  L.P.  dated
                                     June 1995.

         11.                        Statement regarding  computation of Net Loss
                                    per Thousand Limited  Partnership Units: Net
                                    loss per thousand limited  partnership units
                                    is computed by dividing  net 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
                                    86,534 and 86,549 limited  partnership units
                                    (in thousands) outstanding in 1996 and 1995,
                                    respectively.

         27.                        Financial  Data  Schedule   for  the quarter
                                    ended September 30, 1996.

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K.  There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during
         the quarter ended September 30, 1996.






                       MCNEIL REAL ESTATE FUND XXVI, 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 XXVI, L.P.

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

                                     By: McNeil Investors, Inc., General Partner





November 14, 1996                    By:  /s/  Donald K. Reed
- -----------------                       ----------------------------------------
Date                                    Donald K. Reed
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer




November 14, 1996                    By:  /s/  Ron K. Taylor
- -----------------                       ----------------------------------------
Date                                    Ron K. Taylor
                                        Acting Chief Financial Officer of
                                          McNeil Investors, Inc.




November 14, 1996                    By:  /s/  Carol A. Fahs
- -----------------                       ----------------------------------------
Date                                    Carol A. Fahs
                                        Chief Accounting Officer of McNeil 
                                          Real Estate Management, Inc.