<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, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,005
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  44,908
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       135,875
<OTHER-SE>                                    (140,314)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    44,908
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,515
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      642
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,258
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,033
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,418)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,418)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,418)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.15)