<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CERES FUND, L.P. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000869711
<NAME> CERES FUND, L.P.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         151,001
<SECURITIES>                                 5,628,931
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,551
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,783,483
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,783,483
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          161,354
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,622,129
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,783,483
<SALES>                                      (429,953)
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             (293,329)
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  693,206
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (986,535)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (39.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0