<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EQK REALTY INVESTORS I FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 3,861 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 0 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 45,102 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 135,875 <OTHER-SE> (140,707) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 45,102 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 6,191 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 769 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,053 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,219 <INCOME-PRETAX> 150 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 150 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 150 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.02 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.02