<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Century
Properties Equity Partnership 72 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1
       
                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                            6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                        1,602,000<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   106,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                          0
<INVENTORY>                                           0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      0
<PP&E>                                                0
<DEPRECIATION>                                        0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                1,708,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 0
<BONDS>                                          94,000
<COMMON>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<OTHER-SE>                                    1,188,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  1,708,000
<SALES>                                               0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              1,774,000<F2>
<CGS>                                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    76,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              416,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 938,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                          0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             938,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                    938,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        59
<FN>
<F1> Cash includes restricted cash of $1,570,000.
<F2> Total revenues includes gain on sale of property of $1,682,000.
</FN>