<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000931755
<NAME> AEI INCOME & GROWTH FUND XXI LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                       2,328,791
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   72,704
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,401,495
<PP&E>                                      17,049,956
<DEPRECIATION>                               (470,623)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,980,828
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          588,815
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  18,392,013
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                18,980,828
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               452,487
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  193,513
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                428,911
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            428,911
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   428,911
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    17.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    17.82