<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Century
Properties Preferred 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>                                    0
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                       399,000
<ALLOWANCES>                              0
<INVENTORY>                               0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          0
<PP&E>                                    0
<DEPRECIATION>                            0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      399,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                     0
<BONDS>                                   0
<COMMON>                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               0
<OTHER-SE>                          374,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        399,000
<SALES>                                   0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                          0
<CGS>                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                             0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     389,000
<INCOME-TAX>                              0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 389,000
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                        389,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                         36.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                         36.20