<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>                                                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                            DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                                               JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                 SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                                         1,627,000   <F1>
<SECURITIES>                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    104,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                                            0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                       0
<PP&E>                                                                 0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                         0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 1,731,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                  0
<BONDS>                                                           92,000
<COMMON>                                                               0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                     1,176,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   1,731,000
<SALES>                                                                0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                               1,774,000   <F2>
<CGS>                                                                  0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     76,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               422,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                  926,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                                           0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                              926,000 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                     926,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                      58.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                      58.64
<FN>
<F1> Cash includes restricted cash of $1,595,000.
<F2> Total revenues includes gain on sale of property of $1,682,000.
</FN>