<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from unaudited
financial statements for the three month period ending March 31, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements
</LEGEND>
<CIK>          0000813812
<NAME>         Riverside Park Associates Limited Partnership
<MULTIPLIER>   1
<CURRENCY>     U.S. Dollars
       
                                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                       JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                         MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                1
<CASH>                                                 2,207,162
<SECURITIES>                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                  0
<ALLOWANCES>                                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               0
<PP&E>                                                72,591,006
<DEPRECIATION>                                      (29,646,497)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        46,922,043
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                          0
<BONDS>                                                        0
<COMMON>                                                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                             (482,961)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          46,922,043
<SALES>                                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       2,657,485
<CGS>                                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         987,304 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       959,581
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        (101,696) 
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    (101,696) 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                           (101,696) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           (174.28) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           (174.28)