<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF NATIONAL PROPERTIES INVESTMENT TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS      
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-12-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          10,616
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,659
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                61,372
<PP&E>                                       1,693,491
<DEPRECIATION>                                 682,256
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,072,607
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,814
<BONDS>                                        557,029
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,772,347
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,072,607
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               175,687
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  119,962
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                45,938
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,976
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,184
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,184
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,184
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.01