<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1996 and the Consolidated Statement
of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1996 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000921112
<NAME> LIBERTY PROPERTY TRUST
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          19,612
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,707
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,701
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,319
<PP&E>                                       1,182,910
<DEPRECIATION>                                 121,671
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,152,612
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           13,705
<BONDS>                                        678,709
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            31
<OTHER-SE>                                     375,501
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,152,612
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               154,265
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,853
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                37,253
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              38,528
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,631
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             37,631
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,740
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.29