<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EQK REALTY INVESTORS I FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 3,516 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 45,901 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 135,875 <OTHER-SE> (139,374) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 45,901 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,413 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 158 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 723 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,010 <INCOME-PRETAX> (478) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (478) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (478) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.05) <EPS-DILUTED> (.05)