Form 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                     |X|   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                           the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
                           For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003

                     |_|   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                           the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
                           For the transition period from _______ to _______

                         Commission File Number 0-24175

                      ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California                                                            94-3248318
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I. R. S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

           235 Pine Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (415) 989-8800



Indicate  by a check  mark  whether  the  registrant  (1) has filed all  reports
required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes |_| No |X|

The number of Limited  Partnership  Units  outstanding  as of June 30,  2003 was
14,995,550

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

                                      None


                                       1


                          Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.




                                       2


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                                 BALANCE SHEETS

                       JUNE 30, 2003 AND DECEMBER 31, 2002
                                   (Unaudited)


                                     ASSETS



                                                           2003                2002

                                                                         
Cash and cash equivalents                                  $ 1,630,643         $ 2,194,169

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
   accounts of $524,150 in 2003 and $403,067 in 2002         2,698,538           4,848,736

Due from General Partner                                        33,851             253,543

Other assets                                                         -              10,019

Investments in leases                                       86,803,392         108,917,281
                                                     ------------------ -------------------
Total assets                                               $91,166,424       $ 116,223,748
                                                     ================== ===================


                        LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL




Long-term debt                                             $18,944,000        $ 33,546,000

Non-recourse debt                                            1,093,282           4,577,308

Line of credit                                              14,000,000          13,300,000

Accounts payable                                               642,798             752,459

Accrued interest payable                                        43,565             192,403

Interest rate swap contracts                                 1,121,280           1,624,360

Unearned operating lease income                                981,178           1,012,984
                                                     ------------------ -------------------
Total liabilities                                           36,826,103          55,005,514

Partners' capital                                           54,340,321          61,218,234
                                                     ------------------ -------------------
Total partners' capital                                     54,340,321          61,218,234
                                                     ------------------ -------------------
Total liabilities and partners' capital                    $91,166,424       $ 116,223,748
                                                     ================== ===================


                             See accompanying notes.


                                       3


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                        SIX AND THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                             JUNE 30, 2003 AND 2002
                                   (Unaudited)




                                                                Six Months                           Three Months
                                                              Ended June 30,                        Ended June 30,
                                                         2003               2002               2003                2002
Revenues:
Leasing activities:
                                                                                                       
   Operating leases                                      $ 9,938,031        $12,543,651        $ 4,394,962         $ 5,832,667
   Direct financing                                          428,758            768,332            154,426             364,652
Gain (loss) on sales of assets                             2,189,125         (1,057,988)            35,680          (1,010,652)
Interest                                                       2,441              8,542                773               2,425
Other                                                         48,701             90,059             21,789              87,948
                                                   ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
                                                          12,607,056         12,352,596          4,607,630           5,277,040
Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization                              7,871,614          9,095,832          3,347,997           4,672,320
Interest expense                                           1,088,342          1,737,408            468,049             847,810
Cost reimbursements to General Partner                       803,734            672,409             23,430             108,383
Impairment losses                                            517,926                  -                  -                   -
Equipment and incentive management fees to
   General Partner                                           471,482            491,462            110,518             209,110
Railcar and equipment maintenance                            425,070            347,462            315,580             194,252
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts                136,000            370,000            (84,000)             70,000
Franchise fees and income taxes                              128,178             23,124            128,178              23,124
Professional fees                                             95,318            148,480             59,017              54,951
Other                                                        323,895            294,784            143,500             144,972
                                                   ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
                                                          11,861,559         13,180,961          4,512,269           6,324,922
                                                   ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
Net income (loss)                                          $ 745,497         $ (828,365)          $ 95,361        $ (1,047,882)
                                                   ================== ================== ================== ===================

Net income (loss):
   General Partner                                         $ 627,208          $ 596,584          $ 319,070           $ 300,277
   Limited Partners                                          118,289         (1,424,949)          (223,709)         (1,348,159)
                                                   ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
                                                           $ 745,497         $ (828,365)          $ 95,361        $ (1,047,882)
                                                   ================== ================== ================== ===================

Net income (loss) per Limited Partnership Unit                 $0.01             ($0.10)            ($0.01)             ($0.09)
Weighted average number of Units outstanding           14,995,883            14,996,050      14,995,717             14,996,050


                             See accompanying notes.


                                       4


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                    STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL

                             SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                                  JUNE 30, 2003
                                   (Unaudited)




                                                                                              Accumulated
                                                                                                 Other
                                                                                             Comprehensive
                                                     Limited Partners        General            Income
                                       Units              Amount             Partner            (Loss)              Total

                                                                                                     
Balance December 31, 2002                14,996,050        $62,842,594                $ -        $(1,624,360)       $ 61,218,234
Unrealized change in value of
   interest rate swap contracts                                      -                  -            503,080             503,080
Limited partnership units
   repurchased                                 (500)            (1,844)                 -                  -              (1,844)
Distributions to partners                                   (7,497,438)          (627,208)                 -          (8,124,646)
Net income                                                     118,289            627,208                  -             745,497
                                 ------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
Balance June 30, 2003                    14,995,550        $55,461,601                $ -        $(1,121,280)       $ 54,340,321
                                 =================== ================== ================== ================== ===================


                             See accompanying notes.


                                       5


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                        SIX AND THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                             JUNE 30, 2003 AND 2002
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                                    Six Months                           Three Months
                                                                  Ended June 30,                        Ended June 30,
                                                             2003               2002               2003                2002
Operating activities:
                                                                                                          
Net income (loss)                                              $ 745,497         $ (828,365)          $ 95,361        $ (1,047,882)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
   cash provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation                                                7,871,614          9,095,832          3,347,997           4,672,320
   (Gain) loss on sales of assets                             (2,189,125)         1,057,988            (35,680)          1,010,652
   Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts                 136,000            370,000            (84,000)             70,000
   Impairment losses                                             517,926                  -                  -                   -
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                                      2,014,198          1,918,443            758,663             580,491
      Due from General Partner                                   219,692                  -            (33,851)                  -
      Other assets                                                10,019             77,998                  -               9,999
      Accounts payable, General Partner                                -           (580,916)          (909,051)           (287,088)
      Accounts payable, other                                   (109,661)           560,675             17,901             303,897
      Accrued interest expense                                  (148,838)          (176,550)          (112,100)           (105,079)
      Unearned lease income                                      (31,806)          (160,130)           243,997            (204,262)
                                                       ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
Net cash provided by operations                                9,035,516         11,334,975          3,289,237           5,003,048
                                                       ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------

Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of assets                                 14,942,797            925,430            253,216             684,549
Reduction in net investment in direct financing
   leases                                                        970,677          1,597,356            409,106             787,491
Purchases of equipment on operating leases                             -         (3,959,522)                 -                   -
Purchases of equipment on direct financing
   leases                                                              -         (3,052,572)                 -               6,568
Payment of initial direct costs to General Partner                     -           (107,961)                 -                   -
                                                       ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
   activities                                                 15,913,474         (4,597,269)           662,322           1,478,608
                                                       ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------




                                       6


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Continued)

                        SIX AND THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                             JUNE 30, 2003 AND 2002
                                   (Unaudited)




                                                                    Six Months                           Three Months
                                                                  Ended June 30,                        Ended June 30,
                                                             2003               2002               2003                2002
Financing activities:
                                                                                                          
Distributions to limited partners                             (7,497,438)        (7,499,854)        (3,747,490)         (3,749,906)
Distributions to General Partner                                (627,208)          (596,584)          (319,070)           (300,277)
Repurchase of limited partnership units                           (1,844)                 -             (1,844)                  -
Repayments of long-term debt                                 (14,602,000)        (8,111,000)       (11,415,000)         (3,515,000)
Proceeds of long-term debt                                             -         10,100,000                  -                   -
Borrowings under line of credit                               14,500,000         13,200,000         14,000,000           3,500,000
Repayments of borrowings under line of credit                (13,800,000)       (10,300,000)                 -            (500,000)
Repayments of non-recourse debt                               (3,484,026)        (2,943,303)        (2,219,770)         (1,186,766)
                                                       ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
Net cash used in financing activities                        (25,512,516)        (6,150,741)        (3,703,174)         (5,751,949)
                                                       ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
   equivalents                                                  (563,526)           586,965            248,385             729,707
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
   period                                                      2,194,169            936,189          1,382,258             793,447
                                                       ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                   $ 1,630,643        $ 1,523,154        $ 1,630,643         $ 1,523,154
                                                       ================== ================== ================== ===================

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
   information:
Cash paid during the period for interest                     $ 1,237,180        $ 1,913,958          $ 580,149           $ 952,889
                                                       ================== ================== ================== ===================

Schedule of non-cash transactions:
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts           $ 503,080          $ 624,828          $ 390,186           $ 383,707
                                                       ================== ================== ================== ===================








                             See accompanying notes.


                                       7


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  JUNE 30, 2003
                                   (Unaudited)


1.  Summary of significant accounting policies:

Interim financial statements:

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting  principles for interim financial information
and with  instructions  to Form  10-Q and  Article  10 of  Regulation  S-X.  The
unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the
opinion of the General  Partner,  necessary  to a fair  statement  of  financial
position and results of operations for the interim periods  presented.  All such
adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  These unaudited interim financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
thereto  contained  in the report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December  31,
2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


2.  Organization and partnership matters:

ATEL Capital  Equipment Fund VII, L.P. (the Fund),  was formed under the laws of
the State of California on July 17, 1996, for the purpose of acquiring equipment
to engage in equipment leasing and sales activities.

Upon the sale of the  minimum  amount of Units of Limited  Partnership  interest
(Units) of  $1,200,000  and the  receipt of the  proceeds  thereof on January 7,
1997, the Fund commenced operations.

The Partnership  does not make a provision for income taxes since all income and
losses will be allocated to the Partners for inclusion in their  individual  tax
returns.

ATEL Financial Services,  LLC, an affiliated entity, acts as the General Partner
of the Fund.


3.  Investment in leases:

The Partnership's investment in leases consists of the following:



                                                                             Depreciation
                                         Balance                              Expense or          Reclassi-           Balance
                                       December 31,        Impairment        Amortization       fications or          June 30,
                                           2002              Losses            of Leases        Dispositions            2003
Net investment in operating
                                                                                                        
   leases                                 $ 84,026,902         $ (517,926)      $ (7,786,008)     $ (17,245,623)       $ 58,477,345
Net investment in direct
   financing leases                         16,227,117                  -           (970,677)        (6,062,850)          9,193,590
Assets held for sale or lease               10,563,086                  -                  -          8,443,208          19,006,294
Reserve for losses                          (2,111,593)                 -                  -          2,111,593                   -
Initial direct costs, net of
   accumulated amortization                    211,769                               (85,606)                 -             126,163
                                    ------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
                                          $108,917,281         $ (517,926)      $ (8,842,291)     $ (12,753,672)       $ 86,803,392
                                    =================== ================== ================== ================== ===================





                                       8


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  JUNE 30, 2003
                                   (Unaudited)


3.  Investment in leases (continued):

Operating leases:

Property on operating leases consists of the following:



                                        Balance                                      Dispositions &                  Balance
                                      December 31,        Impairment               Reclassifications                 June 30,
                                          2002              Losses           1st Quarter        2nd Quarter            2003
                                                                                                       
Transportation                           $ 74,889,008                $ -        $ 1,654,985         $ (295,923)       $ 76,248,070
Marine vessels / barges                    27,030,136                  -         (7,335,250)       (11,562,386)          8,132,500
Construction                               22,414,263                  -         (1,165,750)           (92,773)         21,155,740
Manufacturing                               9,367,388                  -         (4,813,948)                 -           4,553,440
Materials handling                          9,009,095                  -         (4,058,323)          (100,762)          4,850,010
Mining                                      9,012,965                  -           (369,793)                 -           8,643,172
Other                                       6,034,386                  -         (2,654,831)           167,378           3,546,933
Communications                              4,309,885                  -           (561,827)                 -           3,748,058
Office automation                           3,604,688                  -            (83,642)                 -           3,521,046
                                   ------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
                                          165,671,814                  -        (19,388,379)       (11,884,466)        134,398,969
Less accumulated depreciation             (81,644,912)          (517,926)         3,373,458          2,867,756         (75,921,624)
                                   ------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
                                         $ 84,026,902         $ (517,926)     $ (16,014,921)       $(9,016,710)       $ 58,477,345
                                   =================== ================== ================== ================== ===================


In 2003,  there were charges to net income for  impairments  of operating  lease
assets in the amount of $517,926.  The charges  related to covered  grain hopper
cars on lease  to  various  lessees.  The  impairment  resulted  from  decreased
estimated cash flows expected to be generated by the assets over their remaining
lives.

Direct financing leases:

The  following  lists  the  components  of the  Company's  investment  in direct
financing leases as of June 30, 2003:

Total minimum lease payments receivable                           $ 7,024,068
Estimated residual values of leased equipment (unguaranteed)        4,961,238
                                                               ---------------
Investment in direct financing leases                              11,985,306
Less unearned income                                               (2,791,716)
                                                               ---------------
Net investment in direct financing leases                         $ 9,193,590
                                                               ===============

All of the property on leases was acquired in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002.



                                       9


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  JUNE 30, 2003
                                   (Unaudited)


3.  Investment in leases (continued):

At June 30, 2003, the aggregate  amounts of future minimum lease payments are as
follows:



                                                           Direct
                                       Operating          Financing
                                        Leases             Leases              Total
                                                                      
Six months ending December 31, 2003      $ 8,296,264        $ 1,067,808        $ 9,364,072
      Year ending December 31, 2004       11,587,409          2,135,616         13,723,025
                               2005        7,173,701          2,135,616          9,309,317
                               2006        3,769,599            945,719          4,715,318
                               2007        2,946,607            535,056          3,481,663
                         Thereafter        5,874,014            204,253          6,078,267
                                   ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
                                         $39,647,594        $ 7,024,068        $46,671,662
                                   ================== ================== ==================



4.  Non-recourse debt:

Notes payable to financial institutions are due in varying monthly and quarterly
installments of principal and interest.  The notes are secured by assignments of
lease  payments and pledges of the assets which were purchased with the proceeds
of the particular notes. Interest rates on the notes vary from 7.40% to 8.828%.

Future minimum principal payments of non-recourse debt are as follows:




                                        Principal          Interest             Total
                                                                       
Six months ending December 31, 2003         $ 140,636           $ 42,247          $ 182,883
      Year ending December 31, 2004           298,403             67,364            365,767
                               2005           322,838             42,927            365,765
                               2006           216,850             20,179            237,029
                               2007            90,838              5,141             95,979
                         Thereafter            23,717                278             23,995
                                    ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
                                          $ 1,093,282          $ 178,136        $ 1,271,418
                                    ================== ================== ==================



5.  Long-term debt:

In 1998, the Partnership  entered into a $65 million receivables funding program
(the Program) with a receivables  financing company that issues commercial paper
rated A1 by Standard and Poors and P1 by Moody's  Investor  Services.  Under the
Program,  the receivables  financing company receives a general lien against all
of the otherwise  unencumbered  assets of the Partnership.  The Program provides
for borrowing at a variable  interest rate (1.6178% at June 30, 2003),  based on
an index of A1 commercial  paper. As of June 30, 2002, the program was closed as
to additional borrowings.



                                       10


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  JUNE 30, 2003
                                   (Unaudited)


5.  Long-term debt (continued):

The Program  requires the General  Partner to enter into various  interest  rate
swaps with a financial  institution  (also rated A1/P1) to manage  interest rate
exposure  associated  with  variable  rate  obligations  under  the  Program  by
effectively  converting  the variable  rate debt to fixed rates.  As of June 30,
2003,  the  Partnership  receives or pays  interest on a notional  principal  of
$18,692,000, based on the difference between nominal rates ranging from 4.36% to
7.58% and the variable rate under the Program. No actual borrowing or lending is
involved.  The last of the swaps terminates in 2008. The differential to be paid
or received is accrued as interest  rates change and is recognized  currently as
an adjustment to interest expense related to the debt.

Borrowings under the Program are as follows:


                       Original            Balance            Rate on
      Date              Amount            June 30,         Interest Swap
    Borrowed           Borrowed             2003             Agreement
    4/1/1998             $21,770,000          $ 621,000       6.220%
    7/1/1998              25,000,000          2,857,000       6.155%
   10/1/1998              20,000,000          3,961,000       5.550%
   4/16/1999               9,000,000          2,091,000       5.890%
   1/26/2000              11,700,000          5,064,000       7.580%
   5/25/2001               2,000,000          1,079,000       5.790%
   9/28/2001               6,000,000          3,017,000       4.360%
   1/31/2002               4,400,000            254,000          *
   2/19/2002               5,700,000                  -          *
                   ------------------ ------------------
                        $105,570,000        $18,944,000
                   ================== ==================

* Under the terms of the Program, no interest rate swap agreements were required
for these borrowings.

The long-term  debt  borrowings  mature from 2004 through 2008.  Future  minimum
principal payments of long-term debt are as follows:



                                     Swap Notional /           Debt                                                    Rates on
                                            Debt             Principal                                              Interest Swap
                                         Principal          Not Swapped         Interest             Total           Agreements**
                                                                                                     
 Six months ending December 31, 2003        $ 3,618,000           $ 96,000          $ 530,637        $ 4,244,637    6.074%-6.105%
       Year ending December 31, 2004          6,104,000            114,000            763,305          6,981,305    6.107%-6.194%
                                2005          4,883,000             12,000            433,855          5,328,855    6.234%-6.676%
                                2006          1,645,000             30,000            228,734          1,903,734    6.870%-7.132%
                                2007            722,000                  -            152,988            874,988    7.138%-7.361%
                                2008          1,720,000                  -            101,435          1,821,435    7.399%-7.480%
                                     ------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
                                           $ 18,692,000          $ 252,000        $ 2,210,954        $21,154,954
                                     =================== ================== ================== ==================


** Represents  the range of monthly  weighted  average fixed interest rates paid
for amounts maturing in the particular year. The  receive-variable  rate portion
of the swap represents commercial paper rates (1.6178% at June 30, 2003).



                                       11


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  JUNE 30, 2003
                                   (Unaudited)


6.  Related party transactions:

The terms of the Limited Partnership  Agreement provide that the General Partner
and/or Affiliates are entitled to receive certain fees for equipment  management
and resale and for management of the Partnership.

The Limited Partnership Agreement allows for the reimbursement of costs incurred
by the General Partner in providing  administrative services to the Partnership.
Administrative  services  provided  include  Partnership  accounting,   investor
relations,  legal  counsel and lease and  equipment  documentation.  The General
Partner  is not  reimbursed  for  services  where it is  entitled  to  receive a
separate  fee as  compensation  for  such  services,  such  as  acquisition  and
management of equipment.  Reimbursable costs incurred by the General Partner are
allocated  to the  Partnership  based upon  actual time  incurred  by  employees
working on Partnership  business and an allocation of rent and other costs based
on utilization studies.

Substantially  all  employees  of the General  Partner  record time  incurred in
performing administrative services on behalf of all of the Partnerships serviced
by the General  Partner.  The General Partner believes that the costs reimbursed
are the lower of (i) actual costs incurred on behalf of the  Partnership or (ii)
the amount the  Partnership  would be  required to pay  independent  parties for
comparable  administrative  services  in the same  geographic  location  and are
reimbursable in accordance with the Limited Partnership Agreement.

The  General   Partner   and/or   Affiliates   earned  fees,   commissions   and
reimbursements, pursuant to the Limited Partnership Agreement during the six and
three month periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 as follows:



                                                        Six Months                           Three Months
                                                      Ended June 30,                        Ended June 30,
                                                 2003               2002               2003                2002
Incentive management fees and equipment
                                                                                                 
   management fees                                 $ 471,482          $ 491,462          $ 110,518           $ 209,110
Administrative costs reimbursed to General
   Partner                                           803,734            672,409             23,430             108,383
                                           ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
                                                 $ 1,275,216        $ 1,163,871          $ 133,948           $ 317,493
                                           ================== ================== ================== ===================




                                       12


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  JUNE 30, 2003
                                   (Unaudited)


7. Partner's capital:

As of June 30, 2003, 14,995,550 Units were issued and outstanding.

The Partnership's Net Profits,  Net Losses,  and Tax Credits are to be allocated
92.5% to the Limited  Partners and 7.5% to the General  Partner.  In  accordance
with  the  terms  of  the  of  Limited  Partnership  Agreement,   an  additional
allocations  of income  were made to the General  Partner in 2003 and 2002.  The
amount  allocated was determined to bring the General  Partner's  ending capital
account balance to zero.

First,  Distributions  of Cash  from  Operations  shall be 88.5% to the  Limited
Partners,  7.5% to the  General  Partner  and 4% to the  General  Partner or its
affiliate designated as the recipient of the Incentive Management Fee, until the
Limited  Partners have received  Aggregate  Distributions  in an amount equal to
their Original  Invested  Capital,  as defined,  plus a 10% per annum cumulative
(compounded daily) return on their Adjusted Invested Capital,  as defined in the
Limited Partnership Agreement.

Second, 85% to the Limited Partners, 7.5% to the General Partner and 7.5% to the
General  Partner or its  affiliate  designated as the recipient of the Incentive
Management Fee.

Available Cash from Sales or Refinancing,  as defined in the Limited Partnership
Agreement, shall be distributed as follows:

First,  Distributions  of Sales or  Refinancings  shall be 92.5% to the  Limited
Partners  and 7.5% to the  General  Partner,  until the  Limited  Partners  have
received  Aggregate  Distributions in an amount equal to their Original Invested
Capital, as defined,  plus a 10% per annum cumulative  (compounded daily) return
on their Adjusted Invested Capital.

Second, 85% to the Limited Partners, 7.5% to the General Partner and 7.5% to the
General  Partner or its  affiliate  designated as the recipient of the Incentive
Management Fee.


8.  Line of credit:

The  Partnership  participates  with the  General  Partner  and  certain  of its
affiliates  in  a  $56,736,746   revolving  line  of  credit  with  a  financial
institution  that  includes  certain  financial  covenants.  The line of  credit
expires on June 28,  2004.  As of June 30, 2003,  borrowings  under the facility
were as follows:

Amount  borrowed by the Partnership under the acquisition
   facility                                                 $      14,000,000
Amounts borrowed by affiliated partnerships and limited
   liability companies under the acquisition facility              12,500,000
                                                           -------------------
Total borrowings under the acquisition facility                    26,500,000
Amounts borrowed by the General Partner and its sister
   corporation under the warehouse facility                                  -
                                                           -------------------
Total outstanding balance                                   $      26,500,000
                                                           ===================

Total available under the line of credit                    $      56,736,746
Total outstanding balance                                         (26,500,000)
                                                           -------------------
Remaining availability                                      $      30,236,746
                                                           ===================



                                       13


                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  JUNE 30, 2003
                                   (Unaudited)


8.  Line of credit (continued):

Draws on the acquisition facility by any individual borrower are secured only by
that borrower's assets,  including  equipment and related leases.  Borrowings on
the  warehouse  facility  are  recourse  jointly to  certain  of the  affiliated
partnerships and limited liability companies, the fund and the Managing Member.

The credit agreement  includes certain  financial  covenants  applicable to each
borrower. The fund was in compliance with its covenants as of June 30, 2003.


9.  Commitments:

As of June 30, 2003, the Partnership had no outstanding  commitments to purchase
lease equipment.


10.  Other comprehensive income:

In 2003 and 2002, other comprehensive income consisted of the following:



                                                                   Six Months                           Three Months
                                                                 Ended June 30,                        Ended June 30,
                                                            2003               2002               2003                2002

                                                                                                         
Net income (loss)                                             $ 745,497         $ (828,365)          $ 95,361        $ (1,047,882)
Other comprehensive income:
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts            503,080            624,828            390,186             383,707
                                                      ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------------
Comprehensive net income (loss)                             $ 1,248,577         $ (203,537)         $ 485,547          $ (664,175)
                                                      ================== ================== ================== ===================


There were no other sources of comprehensive net income.


                                       14


Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations


Statements  contained in this Item 2,  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q,
which  are  not  historical  facts,  may  be  forward-looking  statements.  Such
statements  are  subject  to risks and  uncertainties  that could  cause  actual
results to differ  materially from those projected.  Investors are cautioned not
to attribute undue certainty to these  forward-looking  statements,  which speak
only as of the date of this Form 10-Q.  We undertake no  obligation  to publicly
release any revisions to these  forward-looking  statements to reflect events or
circumstances  after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect the  occurrence of
unanticipated events, other than as required by law.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

During the first and second quarters of 2003, the Partnership's primary activity
was engaging in equipment leasing activities.

The  liquidity of the  Partnership  will vary in the future,  increasing  to the
extent cash flows from leases exceed  expenses,  and  decreasing as lease assets
are  acquired,  as  distributions  are made to the limited  partners  and to the
extent expenses exceed cash flows from leases.

As another source of liquidity, the Partnership has contractual obligations with
a diversified group of lessees for fixed lease terms at fixed rental amounts. As
the  initial  lease  terms  expire the  Partnership  will  re-lease  or sell the
equipment.  The future  liquidity  beyond the  contractual  minimum rentals will
depend on the General  Partner's  success in re-leasing or selling the equipment
as it comes off lease.

The  Partnership  participates  with the  General  Partner  and  certain  of its
affiliates  in  a  $56,736,746   revolving  line  of  credit  with  a  financial
institution  that  includes  certain  financial  covenants.  The line of  credit
expires on June 28,  2004.  As of June 30, 2003,  borrowings  under the facility
were as follows:

Amount  borrowed by the Partnership under the acquisition
   facility                                                 $      14,000,000
Amounts borrowed by affiliated partnerships and limited
   liability companies under the acquisition facility              12,500,000
                                                           -------------------
Total borrowings under the acquisition facility                    26,500,000
Amounts borrowed by the General Partner and its sister
   corporation under the warehouse facility                                  -
                                                           -------------------
Total outstanding balance                                   $      26,500,000
                                                           ===================

Total available under the line of credit                    $      56,736,746
Total outstanding balance                                         (26,500,000)
                                                           -------------------
Remaining availability                                      $      30,236,746
                                                           ===================

The Partnership  anticipates reinvesting a portion of lease payments from assets
owned in new leasing  transactions.  Such reinvestment will occur only after the
payment  of  all  obligations,   including  debt  service  (both  principal  and
interest),  the payment of management  fees to the General Partner and providing
for cash distributions to the Limited Partners.

The Partnership currently has available adequate reserves to meet contingencies,
but in the event those  reserves were found to be  inadequate,  the  Partnership
would  likely be in a position to borrow  against its current  portfolio to meet
such  requirements.  The General  Partner  envisions  no such  requirements  for
operating purposes.

No  commitments  of capital  have been or are expected to be made other than for
the acquisition of additional  equipment.  There were no such  commitments as of
June 30, 2003.

If  inflation  in the general  economy  becomes  significant,  it may affect the
Partnership  inasmuch as the residual  (resale) values and rates on re-leases of
the  Partnership's  leased  assets may  increase as the costs of similar  assets
increase.  However,  the  Partnership's  revenues from existing leases would not
increase,  as such rates are generally fixed for the terms of the leases without
adjustment for inflation.

If interest rates increase  significantly,  the lease rates that the Partnership
can obtain on future  leases will be expected to increase as the cost of capital
is a significant  factor in the pricing of lease  financing.  Leases  already in
place, for the most part, would not be affected by changes in interest rates.



                                       15


Cash Flows, 2003 vs. 2002:

During the first half of 2003, the  Partnership's  primary  sources of cash were
the  proceeds  of lease  asset  sales and  borrowings  under the line of credit.
During the first half of 2002, the Partnership's primary source of liquidity was
rents from assets on operating leases.

Cash from operating activities was almost entirely from operating lease rents in
both 2003 and in 2002 for both the three and six month periods.

Sources of cash from  investing  activities  consisted of proceeds from sales of
assets and direct  financing  lease rents.  Proceeds  from sales of lease assets
increased  significantly  compared to 2002.  In 2003 and 2002,  cash was used in
investing activities to purchase assets on operating and direct financing leases
and to pay  initial  direct  costs to the  General  Partner.  There were no such
purchases in 2003.

In the first quarter of 2003,  proceeds from the sales of lease assets were used
to repay the line of credit.  The amounts of cash proceeds received in excess of
the amounts which were  subsequently  used to pay down the  long-term  debt were
used to make  distributions  to the limited  partners.  In the second quarter of
2003,  cash was  borrowed  under  the line of  credit  in orderd to pay down the
balance of the long-term debt. In 2002 , cash from financing  sources  consisted
of proceeds of long-term debt and borrowings  under the line of credit.  In both
2002,  proceeds of long-term  debt were used to repay amounts due on the line of
credit.  Repayments  of  long-term  debt have  changed as a result of  scheduled
payments.  Distributions  to partners did not change  significantly  compared to
2002.

Results of operations, 2003 vs. 2002:

Operations in 2003 resulted in a net income of $745,497 (six months) and $95,361
(three  months).  Operations  in 2002  resulted in a net loss of  $828,365  (six
months) and $1,047,882 (three months). Net income for the six month period ended
June 30, 2003, was primarily the result of gains of $2,189,125 recognized on the
sales of lease assets.  The losses in 2002 were  directly  related to the losses
incurred  in  sales  of  lease  assets  in  the  second  quarter  of  2002.  The
Partnership's  primary  source of revenues  is from  operating  leases.  This is
expected to remain true in future periods.  Operating lease revenues for the six
month periods  decreased from $12,543,651 in 2002 to $9,938,031 in 2003. For the
three month periods,  they  decreased  from  $5,832,667 in 2002 to $4,394,962 in
2003. The decreases were the result of asset sales in 2002 and in 2003.

Depreciation  expense is the single largest  expense of the  Partnership  and is
expected to remain so in future periods. As lease assets have been sold over the
last  year,  operating  lease  revenues  have  declined.  This  has  also led to
decreases in depreciation expense.  Total debt has decreased from $54,556,922 at
June 30,  2002 to  $34,037,382  at June 30,  2003,  a  decrease  of  $20,519,540
compared to June 30, 2002.  This has led to the decrease in interest  expense in
2003  compared to the  comparable  periods in 2002.  For the six month  periods,
interest  decreased by $649,066.  For the three month  period,  the decrease was
$379,761.

In 2003,  there were charges to net income for  impairments  of operating  lease
assets in the amount of $517,926.  The charges  related to covered  grain hopper
cars on lease  to  various  lessees.  The  impairment  resulted  from  decreased
estimated cash flows expected to be generated by the assets over their remaining
lives.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risk.

The Fund,  like most  other  companies,  is exposed  to  certain  market  risks,
including primarily changes in interest rates. The Fund believes its exposure to
other market risks,  including  foreign currency  exchange rate risk,  commodity
risk and equity price risk, are insignificant to both its financial position and
results of operations.

In general,  the Fund's strategy is to manage its exposure to interest rate risk
by obtaining  fixed rate debt.  Current  fixed rate debt is  structured so as to
match the cash flows  required to service the debt to the payment  streams under
fixed rate lease receivables.  The payments under the leases are assigned to the
lenders in satisfaction of the debt. Furthermore, the Fund has historically been
able to maintain a stable  spread  between its cost of funds and lease yields in
both  periods of rising  and  falling  interest  rates.  Nevertheless,  the Fund
frequently funds leases with its floating rate line of credit and is, therefore,
exposed to interest rate risk until fixed  interest rate  financing is arranged,
or the floating interest rate line of credit is repaid. As of June 30, 2003, the
outstanding balance on the floating rate line of credit was $14,000,000.

Also,  the Fund  entered  into a  receivables  funding  facility in 1998.  Since
interest on the  outstanding  balances  under the facility  varies,  the Fund is
exposed to market risks  associated  with changing  interest rates. To hedge its
interest rate risk, the Fund enters into interest rate swaps,  which effectively
convert the underlying interest  characteristic on the facility from floating to
fixed.



                                       16


Under the swap agreements, the Fund makes or receives variable interest payments
to or from  the  counterparty  based on a  notional  principal  amount.  The net
differential  paid or received by the Fund is  recognized  as an  adjustment  to
interest expense related to the facility  balances.  The amount paid or received
represents  the  difference  between the  payments  required  under the variable
interest  rate  facility  and the  amounts  due under the  facility at the fixed
(hedged)  interest  rate.  As of June 30, 2003,  borrowings on the facility were
$18,944,000  and the  associated  variable  interest  rate was  1.6178%  and the
average fixed interest rate achieved with the swap agreements was 6.087% at June
30, 2003.  As of June 30, 2003,  the  estimated  fair value of the interest rate
swaps was $1,121,280.


Item 4.  Controls and procedures.

Internal Controls

As of June 30, 2003, an evaluation was performed  under the supervision and with
the  participation  of the Fund's  management,  including the CEO and CFO of the
General Partner,  of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Fund's
disclosure  controls  and  procedures.  Based  on that  evaluation,  the  Fund's
management, including the CEO and CFO of the General Partner, concluded that the
Fund's  disclosure  controls and procedures  were effective as of June 30, 2003.
There have been no  significant  changes in the Fund's  internal  controls or in
other factors that could  significantly  affect internal controls  subsequent to
June 30, 2003.

Changes in internal controls

There have been no  significant  changes in our  internal  controls  or in other
factors that could  significantly  affect our disclosure controls and procedures
subsequent to the evaluation  date, nor were there any significant  deficiencies
or material weaknesses in our internal controls.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Under the supervision and with the  participation  of our management,  including
the CEO and CFO, an evaluation of the  effectiveness of the design and operation
of  the  Fund's  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,   as  defined  in  Rules
240.13a-14(c)  and  15d-14(c)  under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 was
performed  as of a date  within  ninety  days  before  the  filing  date of this
quarterly  report.  Based upon this  evaluation,  the CEO and CFO of the General
Partner  concluded that, as of the evaluation date, our disclosure  controls and
procedures were effective for the purposes of recording, processing, summarizing
and timely reporting  information  required to be disclosed by us in the reports
that we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that such information
is  accumulated  and  communicated  to our  management  in order to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.


                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

No material legal  proceedings are currently  pending against the Partnership or
against  any of its assets.  The  following  is a  discussion  of legal  matters
involving  the  Partnership  but  which  do not  represent  claims  against  the
Partnership or its assets.

Applied Magnetics Corporation:

In  January  2000,  Applied  Magnetics  Corporation  (the  "Debtor")  filed  for
protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Fund
had assets with a total net book value of $8,048,095 leased to Applied Magnetics
Corporation  at the  bankruptcy  filing date.  On January 31, 2000,  the General
Partner was  appointed to the Official  Committee  of  Unsecured  Creditors  and
currently  serves as the  Chairperson of the Committee.  Procedures were quickly
undertaken for the  liquidation of the Fund's leased  equipment,  which proceeds
resulted in recoveries of $1,773,798 or 21.7% of original  equipment cost. As of
November 1, 2000, liquidation of the assets was completed.

The debtor filed a Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan"),  which was approved by a
vote of the creditors of the Debtor in October 2001.  The Plan provided that the
Debtor change its name to Integrated  Micro-Technology  (IMT),  and enter into a
new line of business,  the  manufacture and production of  "micro-machines."  As
part of the Plan, the Fund, along with the other unsecured creditors, receives a
proportionate  share of its unsecured claims in the form of ownership shares and
warrants in the newly formed business.  The success of this new business plan is
highly uncertain.

On February 13, 2002, the reorganized  Debtor filed a notice of objection to the
Fund's claim due to duplication and an improper  liquidated  damages  provision.
The Fund  disputed  this and, as of July 26,  2002,  agreement  has been reached
between  the Fund and  Debtor as to the  amount  of the  Fund's  claim,  and the
Debtor's objection to the Fund's claim was withdrawn.

On April 28,  2003,  the Fund  received  139,133  shares of IMT stock.  The Fund
anticipates  additional amounts may be recoverable  through its equity interests
in the reorganized lessee's business,  however, any recoveries above the amounts
received  upon  liquidation  of the Fund's  equipment  are highly  uncertain and
speculative.



                                       17


Pioneer Companies, Inc.:

On July 31, 2001,  petitions  for  reorganization  under  Chapter 11 of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code were filed by the Pioneer Companies, Inc., et al (the "Debtor").
The  Fund's  Proof of Claim was  timely  filed on  October  14,  2001,  with the
Bankruptcy  Clerk in  Houston.  The Fund is the  successor  in interest to First
Union Rail  Corporation  (FURC) under four (4) tank car lease  schedules  for 36
tank cars with Pioneer Chlor-Alkali Company,  Inc. n/k/a Pioneer Americas,  Inc.
(together,  the  "Lease").  FURC  manages  the  Lease  for the  Fund.  The Order
Confirming  Debtor's  Joint  Plan  of  Reorganization  Under  Chapter  11 of the
Bankruptcy  Code ("Plan") was entered on November 28, 2001. The Effective  Date,
as defined in the Plan, was December 31, 2001.  Pursuant to Schedules  6.1(a)(x)
and 6.1(a)(y) of the Plan, the Lease was rejected by the Debtor.

Although the  equipment  was to be returned to FURC by December  31,  2001,  the
Debtor  continued  to use and  pay  for  the  equipment  under  the  lease  on a
month-to-month  basis.  A letter  agreement  has been  executed by the Debtor to
formalize an understanding for debtor's continued use of the equipment under the
terms of the Lease on a month-to-month  basis until the cars were returned.  The
Debtor has also  objected to the Fund's claim,  which  objection was disputed by
the Fund and has been  resolved  with the  Debtor  allowing  the Fund an allowed
secured  claim in the amount of $193,765 via a  stipulation  that was filed with
the court in April 2003.

At this  point,  all  equipment  has been  returned  to the Fund,  and is in the
process of being  re-leased  and/or sold. The full extent of any recovery is not
known at this time as the  unsecured  claim amount is being paid out in the form
of stock, which, while publicly traded, has a low valuation. The Fund intends to
hold onto the stock received until such time as the market price improves.


Item 2. Changes In Securities.

         Inapplicable.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

         Inapplicable.

Item 4. Submission Of Matters To A Vote Of Security Holders.

         Inapplicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

         Inapplicable.

Item 6. Exhibits And Reports On Form 8-K.

(a)     Documents filed as a part of this report

     1. Financial Statements

        Included in Part I of this report:

          Balance Sheets, June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002.

          Statement  of changes in  partners'  capital for the six months  ended
          June 30, 2003.

          Statements  of  operations  for the six and three month  periods ended
          June 30, 2003 and 2002.

          Statements  of cash flows for the six and three  month  periods  ended
          June 30, 2003 and 2002.

          Notes to the Financial Statements.

     2. Financial Statement Schedules

          All other  schedules  for which  provision  is made in the  applicable
          accounting  regulations of the Securities and Exchange  Commission are
          not required under the related  instructions or are inapplicable,  and
          therefore have been omitted.

(b)     Report on Form 8-K

          None



                                       18


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection  with the Quarterly  report on Form 10Q of ATEL Capital  Equipment
Fund VII,  LP, (the  "Partnership")  for the period ended June 30, 2003 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the  "Report"),
and  pursuant  to 18  U.S.C.  ss.1350,  as  adopted  pursuant  to  ss.906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002, I, Dean L. Cash,  Chief  Executive  Officer of ATEL
Financial  Services,  LLC,  general partner of the  Partnership,  hereby certify
that:

1. The Report fully complies with the  requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The  information  contained in the Report  fairly  presents,  in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


/s/ Dean L. Cash
- -------------------------------------
Dean L. Cash
President and Chief Executive
Officer of General Partner
August 12, 2003

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection  with the Quarterly  report on Form 10Q of ATEL Capital  Equipment
Fund VII,  LP, (the  "Partnership")  for the period ended June 30, 2003 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the  "Report"),
and  pursuant  to 18  U.S.C.  ss.1350,  as  adopted  pursuant  to  ss.906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002, I, Paritosh K. Choksi,  Chief Financial  Officer of
ATEL Financial Services, LLC, general partner of the Partnership, hereby certify
that:

1. The Report fully complies with the  requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The  information  contained in the Report  fairly  presents,  in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


/s/ Paritosh K. Choksi
- -------------------------------------
Paritosh K. Choksi
Executive Vice President of General
Partner, Principal financial officer of registrant
August 12, 2003

                                       19



I, Paritosh K. Choksi, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ATEL Cash  Distribution
Fund VII, LP;

2. Based on my  knowledge,  this  quarterly  report  does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such statements
were made, not  misleading  with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3.  Based  on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
information  included in this quarterly  report,  fairly present in all material
respects the financial  condition,  results of operations  and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I are  responsible  for
establishing and maintaining  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

     a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material
     information   relating  to  the  registrant,   including  its  consolidated
     subsidiaries,  is  made  known  to  us by  others  within  those  entities,
     particularly  during  the period in which  this  quarterly  report is being
     prepared;

     b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure controls and
     procedures  as of a date  within 90 days prior to the  filing  date of this
     quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     c)  presented  in  this  quarterly   report  our   conclusions   about  the
     effectiveness  of the  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  based  on our
     evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation,  to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's   board  of  directors  (or  persons   performing   the  equivalent
functions):

     a) all  significant  deficiencies  in the design or  operation  of internal
     controls which could adversely affect the  registrant's  ability to record,
     process,  summarize and report  financial data and have  identified for the
     registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

     b) any fraud,  whether or not material,  that involves  management or other
     employees  who  have  a  significant  role  in  the  registrant's  internal
     controls; and

6. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and I have  indicated in this
quarterly report whether there were significant  changes in internal controls or
in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to
the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective  actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date:   August 12, 2003



/s/ Paritosh K. Choksi
- -------------------------------------
Paritosh K. Choksi
Principal Financial Officer of Registrant, Executive
Vice President of General Partner


                                       20


                                 CERTIFICATIONS


I, Dean L. Cash, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ATEL Cash  Distribution
Fund VII, LP;

2. Based on my  knowledge,  this  quarterly  report  does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such statements
were made, not  misleading  with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3.  Based  on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
information  included in this quarterly  report,  fairly present in all material
respects the financial  condition,  results of operations  and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I are  responsible  for
establishing and maintaining  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

     a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material
     information   relating  to  the  registrant,   including  its  consolidated
     subsidiaries,  is  made  known  to  us by  others  within  those  entities,
     particularly  during  the period in which  this  quarterly  report is being
     prepared;

     b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure controls and
     procedures  as of a date  within 90 days prior to the  filing  date of this
     quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     c)  presented  in  this  quarterly   report  our   conclusions   about  the
     effectiveness  of the  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  based  on our
     evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation,  to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's   board  of  directors  (or  persons   performing   the  equivalent
functions):

     a) all  significant  deficiencies  in the design or  operation  of internal
     controls which could adversely affect the  registrant's  ability to record,
     process,  summarize and report  financial data and have  identified for the
     registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

     b) any fraud,  whether or not material,  that involves  management or other
     employees  who  have  a  significant  role  in  the  registrant's  internal
     controls; and

6. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and I have  indicated in this
quarterly report whether there were significant  changes in internal controls or
in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to
the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective  actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date:   August 12, 2003



/s/ Dean L. Cash
- -------------------------------------
Dean L. Cash
President and Chief Executive
Officer of General Partner


                                       21


                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Date:
August 12, 2003

                      ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P.
                                  (Registrant)



                        By: ATEL Financial Services, LLC
                          General Partner of Registrant




         By:  /s/ Dean L. Cash
              -------------------------------------
              Dean L. Cash
              President and Chief Executive
              Officer of General Partner




         By: /s/ Paritosh K. Choksi
             --------------------------------------
             Paritosh K. Choksi
             Executive Vice President of
             General Partner, Principal
             financial officer of registrant



         By: /s/ Donald E.  Carpenter
             ---------------------------------------
             Donald E. Carpenter
             Principal accounting
             officer of registrant

                                       22