<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000795196
<NAME> JOHN HANCOCK REALTY INCOME FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                       2,476,260
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,476,260
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,476,260
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          747,301
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,728,959
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,476,260
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,453,498
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,049,978
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,403,520
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,403,520
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,403,520
<EPS-BASIC>                                      13.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    13.19