<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY   INFORMATION   EXTRACTED  FROM  THE  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF THE MARCH 31, 1996 FORM 10Q OF AMERICAN  LEASING  INVESTORS  VII-A
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                         295,988
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  101,191
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               397,179
<PP&E>                                       8,704,824
<DEPRECIATION>                               5,196,040
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,253,205
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          200,632
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,052,573
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,253,205
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               172,648
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   26,301
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               140,577
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,389
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,389
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,389
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0