<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS,
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000917259
<NAME> ML PRINCIPAL PROTECTION L.P.
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995             DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                           2,995                 101,980
<RECEIVABLES>                                8,083,368               4,952,403
<SECURITIES-RESALE>                                  0                       0
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>                                0                       0
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>                         76,528,743              62,987,347
<PP&E>                                               0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              84,615,106              68,041,730
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0                       0
<PAYABLES>                                   3,379,461               1,184,453
<REPOS-SOLD>                                         0                       0
<SECURITIES-LOANED>                                  0                       0
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD>                                   0                       0
<LONG-TERM>                                          0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                  81,235,645              66,857,277
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                84,615,106              68,041,730
<TRADING-REVENUE>                            2,524,651               3,368,891
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>                         3,465,370               2,327,644
<COMMISSIONS>                                4,015,847               2,834,358
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>                        0                       0
<FEE-REVENUE>                                        0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<COMPENSATION>                                       0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,974,174               2,862,177
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,974,174               2,862,177
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,974,174               2,862,177
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.38                    5.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.38                    5.83