<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EQK REALTY INVESTORS I FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 3,106 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 46,502 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 135,875 <OTHER-SE> (138,337) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 46,502 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,705 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 654 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,056 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,924 <INCOME-PRETAX> (929) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (929) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (929) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.10) <EPS-DILUTED> (.10)