HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST



                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


     [X]QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997
                                       OR
     [ ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         Commission File Number 1-11527

                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST



          Maryland                                   04-3262075
  (State of incorporation)               (IRS Employer Identification No.)


                 400 Centre Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02158


                                  617-964-8389


    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
     required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
         Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
   period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
 been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]


     Class                                           Shares outstanding
Common shares of beneficial                          at May 5, 1997
interest $.01 par value per share                     26,871,395







                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST



                                    FORM 10-Q

                                 MARCH 31, 1997

                            CERTAIN IMPORTANT FACTORS

The Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains statements which constitute
forward looking statements within the meaning of the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934,  as amended.  Those  statements  appear in a number of places in this Form
10-Q and include statements regarding the intent,  belief or expectations of the
Company, its Trustees or its officers with respect to the declaration or payment
of dividends, the consummation of additional acquisitions, policies and plans of
the  Company  regarding  investments,  dispositions,  financings,  conflicts  of
interest  or  other   matters,   the  Company's   qualification   and  continued
qualification  as a  real  estate  investment  trust  or  trends  affecting  the
Company's or any hotel's financial  condition or results of operations.  Readers
are cautioned  that any such forward  looking  statements  are not guarantees of
future performance and involve risks and uncertainties,  and that actual results
may differ materially from those contained in the forward looking statement as a
result of various factors.  Such factors include without  limitation  changes in
financing terms, the Company's ability or inability to complete acquisitions and
financing  transactions,  results  of  operations  of the  Company's  hotels and
general  changes  in  economic  conditions  not  presently   contemplated.   The
accompanying  information  contained in this Form 10-Q including the information
under the headings  "Business"  and "  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of
Financial  Condition  and  Results of  Operation,"  identifies  other  important
factors that could cause such differences.

THE AMENDED AND RESTATED  DECLARATION OF TRUST OF THE COMPANY,  DATED AUGUST 21,
1995 A COPY OF WHICH,  TOGETHER WITH ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO (THE "DECLARATION"),
IS DULY FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION OF THE
STATE OF MARYLAND,  PROVIDES THAT THE NAME "HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST" REFERS
TO THE  TRUSTEES  UNDER  THE  DECLARATION  COLLECTIVELY  AS  TRUSTEES,  BUT  NOT
INDIVIDUALLY OR PERSONALLY, AND THAT NO TRUSTEE, OFFICER, SHAREHOLDER,  EMPLOYEE
OR AGENT  OF THE  TRUST  SHALL BE HELD TO ANY  PERSONAL  LIABILITY,  JOINTLY  OR
SEVERALLY,  FOR ANY  OBLIGATION  OF, OR CLAIM  AGAINST,  THE TRUST.  ALL PERSONS
DEALING WITH THE TRUST,  IN ANY WAY,  SHALL LOOK ONLY TO THE ASSETS OF THE TRUST
FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY SUM OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY OBLIGATION.



                                      INDEX


PART I    Financial Information (Unaudited)                             Page

          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 1997 and
               December 31, 1996                                        3

          Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months 
               Ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996                  4

          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three 
               Months Ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996           5

          Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements          6

          Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of 
               Operations and Financial Condition                       9

PART II   Other Information                                            11

          Item 2.   Changes in Securities                              11

          Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                   11




                                       2




                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST



                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (in thousands)


                                             December 31,    March 31,
                                                 1996          1997
                                             ------------  -----------
                                                           (unaudited)

ASSETS

Real estate properties                        $ 842,687    $ 889,756
Accumulated depreciation                        (26,218)     (32,991)
                                              ---------    ---------
                                                816,469      856,765

Cash and cash equivalents                        38,073        8,763
FF&E reserve (restricted cash)                    7,277        8,177
Other assets                                      9,784       10,365
                                              $ 871,603    $ 884,070
                                              =========    =========


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Debt                                          $ 125,000    $ 125,000
Security deposits                                81,360       91,360
Other liabilities                                20,035        7,129

Shareholders' equity
       Common shares of beneficial interest         269          269
    Additional paid-in capital                  656,253      656,716
    Cumulative net income                        63,013       77,923
    Dividends                                   (74,327)     (74,327)
     Total shareholders' equity                 645,208      660,581
                                              ---------    ---------
                                              $ 871,603    $ 884,070
                                              =========    =========









                             See accompanying notes

                                       3






                                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST



                                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                     (in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                                    (unaudited)



                                                            For the Three       For the Three  
                                                            Months Ended        Months Ended   
                                                              March 31,           March 31,    
                                                                 1996               1997
                                                            -------------       -------------
                                                                          

Revenues
   Rental income                                                $ 8,671           $21,894
   FF&E reserve income                                            1,620             3,479
   Interest income                                                   43               104
     Total revenues                                              10,334            25,477
                                                                -------           -------
                                                                                 
Expenses                                                                         
Interest (including amortization of deferred finance costs of                             
     $45 and $309, respectively)                                    215             2,296
   Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets            2,737             6,773
   General and administrative                                       760             1,498
       Total expenses                                             3,712            10,567
                                                                -------           -------
                                                                                 
Net income                                                      $ 6,622           $14,910
                                                                =======           =======
                                                                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding                              12,601            26,862
                                                                =======           =======
                                                                           
Earnings per share                                                $0.53             $0.56     
                                                                =======           =======









                             See accompanying notes


                                       4





                                           HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST



                                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                                  (in thousands)
                                                    (unaudited)



                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              For the Three       For the Three 
                                                                              Months Ended        Months Ended  
                                                                                March 31,           March 31,   
                                                                                   1996               1997      
                                                                              -------------       ------------- 
                                                                                            

Cash flows from operating activities                                          
   Net income                                                                   $   6,622           $  14,910  
     Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by operating activities                            
     Depreciation and amortization of real estate assets                            2,737               6,773
     Amortization of deferred finance costs as interest                                45                 309
     Funding of FF&E reserve                                                       (1,620)             (3,479)
     Change in assets and liabilities                                                 365               2,513
       Cash provided by operating activities                                        8,149              21,026
                                                                                ---------           ---------
                                                                                                  
Cash flows from investing activities                                                              
   Real estate acquisitions and deposits                                         (118,739)            (44,490)
   Increase in security deposits                                                    9,160              10,000
   Purchase of FF&E reserve                                                        (1,375)               --
       Cash used for investing activities                                        (110,954)            (34,490)
                                                                                ---------           ---------
                                                                                                  
Cash flows from financing activities                                                              
   Draws on credit facility                                                       115,650                --
       Dividends paid                                                              (6,930)            (15,846)
       Cash provided by (used in) financing activities                            108,720             (15,846)
                                                                                ---------           ---------
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents                                     $   5,915           $ (29,310)
                                                                                =========           =========
Supplemental cash flow information                                                                
     Interest paid                                                              $    --             $     674
Non-cash investing activities                                                                     
     Property managers' deposits in FF&E reserve                                    1,555               3,151
     Purchases of fixed assets with FF&E reserve                                    3,109               2,579
                                                                                                  
                                                                                   




                             See accompanying notes

                                       5




                          HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
            (dollars amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (unaudited)

1.   The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Hospitality
     Properties  Trust and its  subsidiaries  (the "Company") have been prepared
     without audit.  Certain  information and footnote  disclosures  required by
     generally accepted accounting  principles for complete financial statements
     have been condensed or omitted.  The Company  believes the disclosures made
     are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. However, the
     accompanying  financial  statements  should be read in conjunction with the
     financial  statements  and notes thereto  included in the Company's  Annual
     Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. Operating results
     for interim periods are not necessarily  indicative of the results that may
     be expected for the full year.

     In the opinion of management,  all  adjustments  (which include only normal
     recurring  adjustments)  considered  necessary for a fair presentation have
     been  included.   All   intercompany   transactions  and  balances  between
     Hospitality Properties Trust and its subsidiaries have been eliminated.

2.   The Company was  incorporated  on February 7, 1995.  The Company  commenced
     operations on March 24, 1995 with the acquisition of 21 hotels. The Company
     was a 100% owned  subsidiary  of Health  and  Retirement  Properties  Trust
     ("HRP") from its  inception  through  August 22, 1995 when it completed its
     initial public offering of common shares (the "IPO").

3.   Earnings  per share is  computed  by  dividing  net income by the  weighted
     average number of outstanding common shares of beneficial interest.

     In  January  1997,   the  Company  paid  a  $0.59  per  share  dividend  to
     shareholders  for the quarter  ended  December 31, 1996. On March 31, 1997,
     the Trustees declared a dividend of $0.59 per share be paid to shareholders
     of record as of April 15, 1997,  which will be  distributed on or about May
     15, 1997.

     The Financial  Accounting  Standards Board has issued Financial  Accounting
     Standards  Board  Statement  No. 128  "Earnings  Per Share" ("FAS 128") and
     Statement No. 129 "Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure" ("FAS
     129").  These  statements  must be adopted  for the  Company's  1997 annual
     financial statements. Management estimates that adoption of FAS 128 and FAS
     129 will have no impact on reported results or disclosures.

4.   The  Company's  properties  are leased  pursuant to long term leases.  Each
     lease  requires  the  lessee  to  pay  minimum  rent,  percentage  rent  (a
     percentage  of  increases  in total hotel sales over total hotel sales in a
     base  year),  and all  operating  costs  associated  with  the  hotels.  In
     addition, 5% of hotel sales related to each lease are paid by the Company's
     hotel operators into an escrow account to fund certain capital improvements
     and  ongoing   renovations   necessary  to  maintain  the  quality  of  the
     properties.  In  the  case  of  certain  leases,  this  escrow  account  is
     maintained by the Company.

     On January 8, 1997, a subsidiary  of the Company  acquired a 381-room  full
     service hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah for $44 million.  The hotel is leased
     to Wyndham Hotel Corporation and operated as a Wyndham hotel.

5.   In April 1997, the Company entered an agreement to acquire  fourteen hotels
     from Marriott International,  Inc. for $149 million. As of May 6, 1997, the
     acquisition  of nine of these hotels was complete.  The Company  expects to
     close on the remaining five hotels during 1997.

6.   As of March 31,  1997,  the Company had $0  outstanding  under its $200,000
     revolving   acquisition  credit  facility  (the  "Credit  Facility")  which
     provides for borrowings at one month LIBOR plus a spread. Borrowings may be
     repaid and  reborrowed as necessary  until December 31, 1998, at which time
     the  outstanding   balance  may,  at  the  Company's  option  (with  lender
     approval),  be either  repaid or converted  into a 10-year  loan.  In April
     1997, the Company  borrowed  $94,000 from the Credit Facility in connection
     with the  acquisition of nine hotels noted above.  Certain  subsidiaries of
     the Company are carrying  $125,000 of long-term  mortgages payable (Notes).
     The Notes  require  payment of  interest  only  through  their  maturity in
     December  2001, at which time the  principal  balance is due. The Notes are
     prepayable at any time without  penalty.  Interest on the Notes is equal to
     one  month  LIBOR  plus a  spread.  

                                       6


7.   At March 31, 1997, all of the 53 Courtyard by Marriott(R) properties of the
     Company and its subsidiary were leased to a special  purpose  subsidiary of
     Host  Marriott   Corporation  and  managed  by  a  subsidiary  of  Marriott
     International,  Inc. The results of  operations  for the twelve weeks ended
     March 28, 1997 and March 22, 1996 and summarized  balance sheet data of the
     Host Marriott  subsidiary to which the Company's  Courtyard by  Marriott(R)
     hotels are leased are as follows:


                                     Twelve weeks ended     Twelve weeks ended
                                      March 28, 1997(1)      March 22, 1996(2)
                                     -------------------    ------------------
                                        (unaudited)
Revenues                                 $ 24,132             $ 15,513 
Investment expenses                                        
     Base and percentage rent              12,106                7,733
     FF&E contribution                      2,389                1,555
     Management fees                        5,149                3,006
     Other                                  1,921                1,676
                                                              --------
         Total investment expenses         21,565               13,970
                                         --------             --------
Income before taxes                         2,567                1,543
Provision for income taxes                 (1,026)                (496)
         Net income                      $  1,541             $  1,047
                                         ========             ========
                                                  

                                       March 28, 1997
                                      ---------------
                                        (unaudited)
         Assets                           $59,993
         Liabilities                       43,694
         Equity                            16,299

     Revenues in the statements of income above  represent  house profit.  House
     profit represents total hotel sales less property level expenses  excluding
     depreciation  and  amortization,  system fees,  real and personal  property
     taxes,  ground  rent,  insurance  and  management  fees.  The  system  fees
     (included in other  investment  expenses)  and  management  fees  presented
     above,  and the expenses  detailed  below  represent all the costs incurred
     directly,  allocated or charged to the properties by their management.  The
     comparable details of total hotel sales and  reconciliations to revenue for
     the twelve weeks ended March 28, 1997 and March 22, 1996 are as follows:

 
                                     Twelve weeks ended     Twelve weeks ended
                                      March 28, 1997(1)      March 22, 1996(2)
                                     -------------------    ------------------
                                         (unaudited)
Total hotel sales
     Rooms                                $42,456              $27,316
     Food and beverage                      3,511                2,496
     Other                                  1,815                1,283
     Total hotel sales                     47,782               31,095
                                          -------              -------
Departmental Expenses                                         
     Rooms                                  8,623                5,874
     Food and beverage                      2,827                2,050
     Other operating departments              534                  428
     General and administrative             5,188                3,300
     Utilities                              2,141                1,305
     Repairs, maintenance and accidents     2,042                1,147
     Marketing and sales                      594                  380
     Chain services                         1,701                1,098
     Total departmental expenses           23,650               15,582
Revenues                                  $24,132              $15,513
                                          =======              =======
                                                     
(1)  Includes results for all 53 Courtyard by Marriott(R) properties.
(2)  As of March 22, 1996, 37 courtyard by  Marriott(R)properties  were owned by
     the Company and leased to Host I. These results of operations  include only
     these 37 properties' results.
                                       7



8.   At March 31, 1997, all of the 18 Residence Inn by Marriott(R) properties of
     a Company  subsidiary were leased to a special  purpose  subsidiary of Host
     Marriott Corporation and managed by a subsidiary of Marriott International,
     Inc.  The results of  operations  for the twelve weeks ended March 28, 1997
     and  summarized  balance  sheet  data  of  the  Host  Marriott  Corporation
     subsidiary to which the Residence Inn by Marriott(R)  hotels are leased are
     presented  below.  These  properties were not owned for the comparable 1996
     period.


                                          Twelve weeks ended 
                                            March 28, 1997
                                          -------------------
                                             (unaudited)
Revenues                                       $ 8,107 
Investment expenses                           
     Base and percentage rent                    4,099
     FF&E contribution                             762
     Management fees                             1,899
     Other                                       1,261
         Total investment expenses               8,021
                                               -------
Income before taxes                                 86
Provision for income taxes                         (34)
         Net income                            $    52
                                               =======
                                    

                                            March 28, 1997
                                            --------------
                                             (unaudited)
         Assets                                $21,042
         Liabilities                           $16,599
         Equity                                $ 4,443

     Revenues in the statement of income above  represent  house  profit.  House
     profit represents total hotel sales less property level expenses  excluding
     depreciation  and  amortization,  system fees,  real and personal  property
     taxes,  ground  rent,  insurance  and  management  fees.  The  system  fees
     (included in other  investment  expenses)  and  management  fees  presented
     above,  and the expenses  detailed  below  represent all the costs incurred
     directly,  allocated or charged to the properties by their management.  The
     detail of total hotel sales and a reconciliation to revenues for the twelve
     weeks ended March 28, 1997.


                                          Twelve weeks ended 
                                            March 28, 1997
                                          -------------------
                                             (unaudited)

Total hotel sales
     Rooms                                     $14,438
     Other                                         796
     Total hotel sales                          15,234
                                               -------
Departmental Expenses                         
     Rooms                                       2,838
     Other operating departments                   288
     General and administrative                  1,266
     Utilities                                     766
     Repairs, maintenance and accidents            832
     Marketing and sales                           806
     Chain services                                331
     Total departmental expenses                 7,127
Revenues                                       $ 8,107
                                               =======
                                         



                                       8




Item 2.  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of Results of  Operations  and
Financial Condition

References below to the Company and to items comprising the Company's results of
operations are collective  references to the Company and its subsidiaries and to
consolidated items of the Company's consolidated results of operations.

Overview

Hospitality  Properties  Trust (the "Company")  acquires,  owns and leases hotel
properties to unaffiliated  hotel  operators.  The Company owned 53 Courtyard by
Marriott(R)hotels,  11  Wyndham  Garden(R)hotels,  one  Wyndham(R)hotel,  and 18
Residence Inn by Marriott(R)hotels as of March 31, 1997.

The Company's 53 Courtyard by Marriott(R)  hotels are all leased to a subsidiary
of Host Marriott  Corporation  ("Host  Marriott") and managed by a subsidiary of
Marriott  International,  Inc. ("Marriott  International").  Annual base rent on
these 53  properties  totals  $50.5  million  and  percentage  rent equals 5% of
increases in total hotel sales over base year levels. The 53 hotels have a total
of 7,610 guest rooms and are located in 23 states. During the first three months
of 1997 these hotels had average occupancy,  average daily rate ("ADR") and room
revenue per available room ("RevPAR") of 79.5%, $83.55 and $66.42, respectively.

The Company's 18 Residence  Inn by  Marriott(R)  properties  are all leased to a
subsidiary   of  Host   Marriott  and  managed  by  a  subsidiary   of  Marriott
International.  Annual base rent on these 18 properties totals $17.2 million and
percentage  rent equals 7.5% of increases in total hotel sales over 1996 levels.
The 18  properties  have a total of 2,178  guest  suites  and are  located in 14
states.  During the first  three  months of 1997 these  properties  had  average
occupancy, ADR and RevPar of 80.1%, $97.58 and $78.91, respectively.

The  Company's  11 Wyndham  Garden(R)hotels  are all leased to and  operated  by
subsidiaries  of the  Wyndham  Hotel  Corporation.  Annual base rent on these 11
properties  totals $13.6 million and  percentage  rent equals 8% of increases in
total  hotel sales over 1996  levels.  The 11  properties  have a total of 1,940
guest rooms and are located in seven  states.  During the first three  months of
1997 these  hotels had average  occupancy,  ADR and RevPAR of 76.4%,  $95.22 and
$72.80, respectively.

In January of 1997 the Company acquired a 381-room full service hotel (the "Salt
Lake  Hotel") in Salt Lake  City,  Utah.  The hotel is leased to  Wyndham  Hotel
Corporation  and is operated as a Wyndham hotel.  Annual base rent on this hotel
is $3.8  million.  The Company will begin  receiving  percentage  rent, in 1998,
equal to 5% of  increases  in total hotel sales over 1997 levels and  thereafter
annually at 8% of increases  in total hotel sales over 1998  levels.  During the
first three months of 1997 the property had average occupancy, ADR and RevPAR of
75.7%, $102.86, and $77.88, respectively.

In April of 1997 the Company  announced  plans to acquire 14, existing and to be
built, hotels from Marriott International,  Inc. for approximately $149 million.
The 14 hotels are comprised of ten Residence Inn by Marriott(R)  hotels and four
Courtyard by Marriott(R)  hotels.  These  Courtyard and Residence Inn properties
are or will be leased to and operated by a wholly owned  subsidiary  of Marriott
International for annual base rent of approximately $14.9 million and, beginning
after a two year  period,  percentage  rent equal to 7% increases in total sales
over  levels  achieved  in the second  full year of  operation.  The Company has
acquired  nine of the hotels and  expects to acquire the five  remaining  hotels
later this year.

All of the  Company's  leases  require a percentage  (usually 5%) of total hotel
sales to be escrowed by the tenant or operator as a reserve for  renovations and
refurbishment ("FF&E").

Quarter Ended March 31, 1997 (dollar amounts in thousands except per share 
amounts)

Total  revenues for the quarter  ended March 31, 1997  increased to $25,477 from
$10,334 for the quarter ended March 31, 1996. Base and percentage rent increased
to $21,894 from $8,671 during the comparable period. The increase primarily is a
result of the Company's  investment of forty-five  hotels acquired between March
and May of 1996.

                                       9

Total  expenses for the quarter  ended March 31, 1997  increased to $10,567 from
$3,712 for the  quarter  ended  March 31,  1996.  The  increase is the result of
increases in depreciation,  interest, and general and administrative expenses of
$4,036, $2,081, $738, respectively.  Depreciation and general and administrative
increased as a result of new investments since March 31, 1996.  Interest expense
increased due to the issuance of the Notes, in late 1996.

Net Income for the quarter ended March 31, 1997  increased to $14,910 ($0.56 per
share) from $6,622 ($0.53 per share) from the quarter ended March 31, 1996.  The
increase is primarily a result of increased base and percentage  rent of $13,200
primarily from new investments offset by an increase in total expenses of $6,855
during the comparable period.

Funds from operations  (defined as net income plus depreciation and amortization
of real estate  assets) and cash  available for  distribution  (defined as funds
from operations less FF&E Reserve plus amortization of deferred  financing costs
and other  non-cash  charges)  related to the quarter  were  $21,683  ($0.81 per
share) and  $18,684  ($0.70 per  share),  respectively,  compared  to funds from
operations and cash available for  distribution  of $9,359 ($0.74 per share) and
$7,847 ($0.62 per share), respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 1996.

Liquidity and Capital  Resources  (dollar amounts in thousands  except per share
amounts)

Assets of the Company increased to $884,070 at March 31, 1997 from $466,901 from
the quarter  ended March 31, 1996.  The  increase is  primarily  due to new real
estate acquisitions.

At March 31,  1997 the  Company  had  $8,763 of cash and cash  equivalents,  the
ability  to borrow  up to an  additional  $200,000  under  its  Credit  Facility
("credit  facility"),  and also the  ability to issue up to  $500,000  of equity
and/or debt  securities  from the  Company's  Shelf  Registration.

In January 1997 the Company  purchased the Salt Lake Hotel with cash on hand. In
April 1997 the Company borrowed $94,000 from the credit facility for the purpose
of  acquiring  nine  hotels,  and the  Company  has  committed  to  purchase  an
additional  five hotels from  Marriott  International,  Inc.  for an  additional
investment of approximately $49,353.

The Company  continues to actively  pursue other  acquisition  opportunities  to
diversify  and expand its portfolio of hotel  properties  and expects to utilize
funds available under its acquisition line or the Shelf Registration to complete
such acquisitions.  The Company intends to balance the use of debt and equity in
such a manner that the long term cost of funds borrowed to acquire facilities is
appropriately  matched,  to  the  extent  practicable,   to  the  terms  of  the
investments made with such borrowed funds.

Pursuant  to the terms of the lease and  management  agreements,  the  Company's
tenants and  operators  are  required to fund FF&E  reserve  accounts in amounts
equal to a percentage of total hotel sales.  Funds  escrowed in the FF&E reserve
accounts  are  used  for  capitalized  improvements  and  replacements  to,  and
refurbishment  of, the  hotels.  The Company  believes  that these funds will be
adequate to maintain the competitiveness of its hotels.

Funding for current  expenses and  dividends is provided for by  operations.  To
maintain  its  status  as a real  estate  investment  trust  ("REIT")  under the
Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended,  the  Company  must meet  certain
requirements including the distribution of at least 95% of its taxable income to
its  shareholders.  As a REIT, the Company  expects not to be subject to federal
income taxes.

Dividends are based principally on cash available for distribution  which is net
income plus  depreciation  and  amortization  of real estate  assets and certain
non-cash  charges less FF&E reserve income.  Cash available for distribution may
not equal cash  provided by  operating  activities  because the cash flow of the
Company is affected  by other  factors not  included in the cash  available  for
distribution calculation.

Dividends  declared  in 1996 of  $0.59  per  share  were  distributed  in  1997.
Dividends declared with respect to first quarter 1997 results of $0.59 per share
will be paid to  shareholders  on or about May 15, 1997.  Dividends in a year in
excess of REIT taxable income for that year constitute return of capital.

                                       10



Seasonality

Most of the Company's hotels experience  seasonal variation in operating results
typical  of the hotel  industry  with  higher  revenues  in the second and third
quarters of calendar  years  compared with the first and fourth  quarters.  This
seasonality  is not presently  expected to cause  fluctuations  in the Company's
rental income  because the Company  believes that the revenues  generated by its
hotels  will be  sufficient  to pay  rents on a  regular  basis  notwithstanding
seasonal fluctuations.


PART II            Other Information

         Item 2.       Changes in Securities

         (c)      In February  1997 the Company  issued  14,595 common shares of
                  beneficial  interest,  par  value  $.01  per  share,  ("Common
                  Shares") to HRPT Advisors,  Inc., ("Advisors") in satisfaction
                  of 1996 incentive fees of $463,403  payable under the existing
                  advisory  agreement  between the Company and  Advisors,  based
                  upon a per  Common  Share  price of $31.75.  These  restricted
                  securities   were  issued   pursuant  to  the  exemption  from
                  registration provided under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act
                  of 1933, as amended.

         Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

               (a)    Exhibits

               27     Financial Data Schedule

               (b)    Reports on Form 8-K

                      None.



                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                           HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST


                           /S/Thomas M. O'Brien
                           Thomas M. O'Brien
                           Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
                           (authorized officer and principal financial officer)
                           Dated:  May 15, 1997


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