UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                   FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended                MARCH 31, 1996
                              ------------------------------------------------- 
                                      or

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
    1934

For the transition period from                to _______________________________

Commission file number                0-15778
                      __________________________________________________________

       CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7, a CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
________________________________________________________________________________
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         CALIFORNIA                                           13-3327950
________________________________________________________________________________
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation                (I.R.S. Employer
or organization)                                           Identification No.)

50 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK                           10020
________________________________________________________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

                                (212)  492-1100
________________________________________________________________________________
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 
________________________________________________________________________________
  (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
                                    report)

 
   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 

                                                        [X] Yes   [_] No


               APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
                  PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court.
 
                                                        [_] Yes   [_] No 
 

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                      - a California limited partnership



                                     INDEX



                                                            Page No.
                                                            --------

PART I
- ------

Item 1. - Financial Information*
 
           Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1995
           and March 31, 1996                                     2
 
           Consolidated Statements of Income for the three
           months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996                   3
 
           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three
           months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996                   4
 
           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements             5-7
 
Item 2. - Management's Discussion of Operations                   8


PART II
- -------

Item 6. - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                        9

Signatures                                                        10



*The summarized financial information contained herein is unaudited; however in
the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of
such financial information have been included.

                                      -1-

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                       - a California limited partnership

                                    PART I
                                    ------

                        Item 1. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                        -------------------------------

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


 
 
                                                December 31,    March 31,
                                                    1995           1996
                                                -------------  ------------
                                                   (Note)      (Unaudited)

                                                         
                ASSETS:
   Land, buildings and personal property,
     net of accumulated depreciation of
     $9,947,765 at December 31, 1995 and
     $10,234,135 at March 31, 1996               $34,006,723   $33,749,816
   Net investment in direct financing leases      15,542,368    15,542,368
   Real estate held for sale                         543,138
   Cash and cash equivalents                       4,968,410     5,517,590
   Accrued interest and rents receivable              24,838        20,647
   Other assets                                    1,143,067     1,056,499
                                                 -----------   -----------
         Total assets                            $56,228,544   $55,886,920
                                                 ===========   ===========
 
 
             LIABILITIES:
 
   Mortgage notes payable                        $11,928,751   $11,561,166
   Note payable                                    9,606,837     9,606,837
   Accrued interest payable                          345,418       336,131
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses             708,394       550,291
   Accounts payable to affiliates                    102,020        93,697
   Prepaid and deferred rental income                428,827       435,549
                                                 -----------   -----------
         Total liabilities                        23,120,247    22,583,671
                                                 -----------   -----------
 
 
        PARTNERS' CAPITAL:
 
   General Partners                                  110,512       118,472
 
   Limited Partners (45,209 Limited
   Partnership Units issued and outstanding
   at December 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996)       32,997,785    33,184,777
                                                 -----------   -----------
         Total partners' capital                  33,108,297    33,303,249
                                                 -----------   -----------
 
         Total liabilities and
           partners' capital                     $56,228,544   $55,886,920
                                                 ===========   ===========


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
   statements.


   Note:   The balance sheet at December 31, 1995 has been derived from the
           audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

                                      -2-

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                       - a California limited partnership

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)


 
 
                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                    March 31, 1995    March 31, 1996
                                                  ------------------  --------------
                                                                
Revenues:
  Rental income from operating leases                       $1,076,977      $1,051,680
  Interest income from direct financing leases                 559,137         557,020
  Other interest income                                         65,581          62,782
  Revenue of hotel operations                                1,221,915       1,355,341
                                                            ----------      ----------
                                                             2,923,610       3,026,823
                                                            ----------      ----------
 
Expenses:
  Interest expense                                             660,220         497,727
  Operating expenses of hotel operations                       925,679       1,009,592
  Depreciation                                                 321,048         286,370
  General and administrative                                   213,973         104,000
  Property expense                                              64,415         105,112
  Amortization                                                  17,517           7,216
                                                            ----------      ----------
                                                             2,202,852       2,010,017
                                                            ----------      ----------
    Income before loss from equity investments,
      gain on sales of real estate and earnings
      from discontinued operations                             720,758       1,016,806
 
Loss from equity investment                                     36,496          32,803
                                                            ----------      ----------
 
    Income before gain on sales of real estate and
      earnings from discontinued operations                    684,262         984,003
 
Gain on sales of real estate                                                    74,729
                                                            ----------      ----------
 
    Income from continuing operations                          684,262       1,058,732
 
Earnings from discontinued operations                          303,905
                                                            ----------      ----------
 
    Net income                                              $  988,167      $1,058,732
                                                            ==========      ==========
 
Net income allocated to
    General Partners                                       $   59,290      $   59,787
                                                           ==========      ==========
 
Net income allocated to
    Limited Partners                                       $  928,877      $  998,945
                                                           ==========      ==========
 
 
Net income per Unit
  (45,274 and 45,209 Limited Partnership
  Units at March 31, 1995 and 1996)
   Income from continuing operations                       $   14.21       $    22.10
   Earnings from discontinued operations                        6.31
                                                          ----------       ----------
                                                          $    20.52       $    22.10
                                                          ==========       ==========


     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
     statements.

                                      -3-

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                       - a California limited partnership


               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS of CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)


 
 
                                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                                              March 31,
                                                                            ------------
                                                                       1995          1996
                                                                   ------------  ------------
                                                                           
     Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net income                                                   $   988,167   $ 1,058,732
      Adjustments to reconcile net income
        to net cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                                  338,565       293,586
        Other noncash items                                             37,244        37,284
        Loss from equity investment                                     36,496        32,803
        Gain on sale of real estate                                                  (74,729)
        Net change in operating assets and liabilities                  33,341      (163,851)
                                                                   -----------   -----------
 
         Net cash provided by operating activities                   1,433,813     1,183,825
                                                                   -----------   -----------
 
     Cash flows from investing activities:
      Additional capitalized costs                                     (12,912)      (29,463)
      Distributions from equity investment                               2,947         8,316
      Proceeds from sales of real estate, net                                        617,867
                                                                   -----------   -----------
 
         Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities            (9,965)      596,720
                                                                   -----------   -----------
 
     Cash flows from financing activities:
      Distributions to partners                                     (7,862,949)     (863,780)
      Payments on mortgage principal                                  (364,304)     (367,585)
                                                                   -----------   -----------
 
         Net cash used in financing activities                      (8,227,253)   (1,231,365)
                                                                   -----------   -----------
 
           Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (6,803,405)      549,180
 
     Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                 10,525,885     4,968,410
                                                                   -----------   -----------
 
           Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                $ 3,722,480   $ 5,517,590
                                                                   ===========   ===========


     Supplemental disclosure of cash flows information:

           Interest paid                                           $   612,867    $  507,014
                                                                   ===========   ===========
 

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
     statements.

                                      -4-

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                       - a California limited partnership

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)



     Note 1.  Basis of Presentation:
              --------------------- 

     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been
     prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for
     interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and
     Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the
     information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting
     principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of
     management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals)
     considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  For
     further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes
     thereto included in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
     year ended December 31, 1995.



     Note 2.  Distributions to Partners:
              ------------------------- 

     Distributions declared and paid to partners during the three months ended
     March 31, 1996 are summarized as follows:

     Quarter Ended General Partners Limited Partners Per Limited Partner Unit
     ------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------------------

     December 31, 1995  $51,827       $811,953                $17.96
                        =======       ========                ======

     A distribution of $18.06 per Limited Partner Unit for the quarter ended
     March 31, 1996 was declared and paid in April 1996.


     Note 3.  Transactions with Related Parties:
              --------------------------------- 

     For the three-month periods ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, the Partnership
     incurred management fees of $27,239 and $23,720, respectively, and general
     and administrative expense reimbursements of $26,326 and $37,499,
     respectively.

     The Partnership, in conjunction with certain affiliates, is a participant
     in a cost sharing agreement for the purpose of renting and occupying office
     space.  Under the agreement, the Partnership pays its proportionate share
     of rent and other costs of occupancy.  Net expenses incurred for the three
     months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 were $38,359 and $21,223,
     respectively.

                                      -5-

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                       - a California limited partnership


      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)



     Note 4.  Industry Segment Information:
              ---------------------------- 

     The Partnership's operations consist of the investment in and the leasing
     of industrial and commercial real estate and the operation of a hotel
     business.  For the three-month periods ended March 31, 1996 and 1995, the
     Partnership earned its lease revenues (rental income plus interest income
     from financing leases) from the following lease obligors:



 
                                              1995      %       1996      %
                                           ----------  ----  ----------  ----
                                                             
     Advanced System Applications, Inc.    $  394,658   25%  $  394,658   25%
     The Gap, Inc.                            231,892   14      231,892   14
     KSG, Inc.                                204,791   12      205,726   13
     Sybron Acquisition Company               204,445   12      204,800   12
     Swiss M-Tex, L.P.                        136,097    8      133,205    8
     AutoZone, Inc.                           108,591    7      105,194    7
     Northern Automotive, Inc.                 97,208    6       97,208    6
     Other                                     99,525    6       77,110    5
     NVRyan L.P.                               72,889    5       72,889    5
     NYNEX Corporation                         53,900    3       53,900    3
     Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.                   32,118    2       32,118    2
                                           ----------  ---   ----------  ---
                                           $1,636,114  100%  $1,608,700  100%
                                           ==========  ===   ==========  ===
 


     Results for the Partnership's hotel operations of a Holiday Inn in Livonia,
     Michigan for the three-month periods ended March 31, 1996 and 1995 are
     summarized as follows:



 
                                                   1995         1996
                                                -----------  -----------
                                                       
       Revenues                                 $1,221,915   $1,355,341
       Fees paid to hotel management company       (31,564)     (36,314)
       Other operating expenses                   (894,115)    (973,278)
                                                ----------   ----------
       Income from hotel operations             $  296,236   $  345,749
                                                ==========   ==========
 


     Note 5.  Discontinued Operations:
              ----------------------- 

     The Partnership sold its food service business in December 1995.  Results
     for the food service business for the three-month period ended March 31,
     1995 is summarized as follows:

                                                       1995
                                                        ----
          Sales                                     $1,517,310
          Cost of goods sold                          (431,900)
          Other operating expenses                    (781,505)
                                                    ---------- 
            Food service operating income           $  303,905
                                                    ==========

                                      -6-

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                       - a California limited partnership


      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (CONTINUED)



     Note 6.  Sales of Real Estate:
              -------------------- 

     On February 12, 1996, the Partnership sold a property located in Denham
     Springs, Louisiana to its lessee, AutoZone, Inc. ("AutoZone"), for
     $431,779, net of selling costs, realizing a gain of $74,729 on the sale.
     AutoZone's lease allows it to offer to purchase properties which it judges
     to be unsuitable for its continued use.  In connection with the sale of the
     property, pursuant to the lease, annual rent from AutoZone will be reduced
     by $40,766.

     On February 14, 1996, the Partnership sold a property in Monte Vista,
     Colorado which had previously been leased to Yellow Front Stores, Inc. for
     $186,090, net of selling costs.  As the property was written down to a net
     realizable value at December 31, 1995 to an amount equal to the net sales
     proceeds, no gain or loss was recognized on the sale.  Annual rent from the
     Monte Vista property was $20,000.



     Note 7.  Property Leased to Advanced System Applications, Inc.:
              ----------------------------------------------------- 

     The Partnership and CPA(R):8 own property in Bloomingdale, Illinois, as
     tenants-in-common with 33.64% and 66.36% ownership interests, respectively
     which is leased to Advanced System Applications, Inc. ("ASA").  In July
     1994 the Partnership and CPA(R):8 entered into a lease modification
     agreement with ASA which allows ASA to terminate its lease in June 1997
     instead of  June 2003.  Under the modification agreement, annual rent
     increased to $5,200,000 (of which the Partnership's share is $1,749,280)
     from $1,850,000 (of which the Partnership's  share was $622,340).  In
     consenting to the modification, the mortgage loan payments were
     substantially increased so that the loan fully amortized on March 1, 1996.
     Although ASA is obligated to make its lease payments through June 1997, it
     is in the process of vacating the property.  To the extent that the
     Partnership and CPA(R):8 enter into new leases for any vacated space, ASA
     is entitled to one-third of all rentals received, net of any landlord
     costs, during the remaining term of its lease.

     On January 31, 1996, the Partnership and CPA(R):8 entered into a lease with
     the United States Postal Service (the "Postal Service") for approximately
     35% of the leasable space at the ASA property.  The lease has a 10-year
     term commencing May 1, 1996 with annual rentals of $722,800 (of which the
     Partnership's share will be $243,150), increasing to $822,800 after five
     years.  The Partnership and CPA(R):8 retain the obligation to provide
     maintenance and support services to the lessee.  The lease provides for
     rent escalations in 1998 based on increases in certain operating costs of
     the property incurred by the Partnership and CPA(R):8.  In addition, the
     Postal Service will reimburse the Partnership and CPA(R):8 for its pro rata
     share of real estate taxes.  The Postal Service has an option to terminate
     the lease after five years and right of first refusal on space vacated by
     ASA.

     The Partnership and  CPA(R):8 will provide the Postal Service a tenant
     improvement allowance of up to $600,000 (of which the Partnership's share
     is $201,840).

                                      -7-

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                       - a California limited partnership


                Item 2. - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF OPERATIONS
                -----------------------------------------------



     Results of Operations:
     --------------------- 

          The results of operations for the periods ended March 31, 1996 and
     1995 are not directly comparable due to the sale of the Partnership's food
     service operations in December 1995.  Excluding the results of the food
     service business for the three-month period ended March 31, 1995, which
     contributed $304,000 to 1995 net income, income before gain on the sales of
     real estate increased by $300,000 (or 44%) in 1996.  The increase in income
     was due to an improvement in earnings from the hotel business and decreases
     in depreciation, interest and general and administrative expenses.  These
     benefits were partially offset by an increase in property expenses.  Lease
     revenues for the comparable periods were stable.  The decrease in
     depreciation was due to the full depreciation of certain furniture,
     fixtures and equipment at the hotel property in Livonia, Michigan
     subsequent to March 31, 1995.  The decrease in interest expense was due to
     the satisfaction of the Jupiter, Florida mortgage in December 1995 in
     connection with the sale of the food service business and the full
     amortization of the mortgage loan on the Advanced System Applications, Inc.
     ("ASA") property in March 1996.  The decrease in general and administrative
     expenses was due, in part, to higher accruals for partnership level state
     franchise taxes in 1995.  Hotel earnings benefitted from an increase in
     average room rates which offset a decrease in the occupancy rate from 78%
     to 74%.



     Financial Condition:
     ------------------- 

          There has been no material change in the Partnership's financial
     condition since December 31, 1995.  Cash reserves increased by $549,000,
     primarily due to proceeds of $618,000 that was received from the sale of
     two properties.  Although cash flow from operations and distributions from
     equity investments which totalled $1,193,000 was slightly less than the
     amounts used to pay cash distributions and scheduled mortgage principal
     payments, the Partnership will benefit from the commencement in May 1996 of
     the Partnership's lease with the United States Postal Service (the "Postal
     Service") and the satisfaction of the ASA loan.  Annual rent from the
     Postal Service lease will be approximately $243,000 before operating costs;
     however, until June 1997, the Partnership is obligated to share one-third
     of Postal Service rentals, net of expenses, with ASA in lieu of reducing
     ASA's rent for relinquishing its space.  With the satisfaction of the ASA
     loan, the Partnership's annual cash flow will increase by approximately
     $1,344,000 until the expiration of the ASA lease in June 1997.
     Accordingly, Management projects that cash flow from operations will
     substantially exceed the amounts needed to meet distribution objectives and
     scheduled mortgage principal installments.  Based on current cash balances,
     the Partnership has the ability to fully fund from cash reserves its
     $202,000 tenant improvement allowance for the Postal Service and other
     costs which may be necessary to retrofit the ASA property for multi-tenant
     use.  A $1,000,000 mortgage balloon payment, which is collateralized by the
     property leased to Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is due in September 1996.  In
     the event the Partnership chooses not to seek refinancing, such payment
     could be funded from cash reserves; however, it is currently anticipated
     that the loan will be refinanced.

                                      -8-

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                       - a California limited partnership



                                    PART II
                                    -------



     Item 6. - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
     ------------------------------------------

          (a)   Exhibits:

                None

          (b)   Reports on Form 8-K:

                During the quarter ended March 31, 1996 the Partnership was not
                required to file any reports on Form 8-K.

                                      -9-

 
                        CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                       - a California limited partnership



                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------



          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
     the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
     the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                 CORPORATE PROPERTY ASSOCIATES 7
                                 - a California limited partnership

                                 By:  SEVENTH CAREY CORPORATE PROPERTY, INC.



             05/10/96            By:      /s/ Claude Fernandez
           --------------                ------------------------------
             Date                        Claude Fernandez
                                         Executive Vice President and
                                         Chief Administrative Officer
                                         (Principal Financial Officer)



             05/10/96            By:      /s/ Michael D. Roberts
           --------------                -------------------------------
             Date                        Michael D. Roberts
                                         First Vice President and Controller
                                         (Principal Accounting Officer)

                                      -10-