SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     Washington, D.C.  20549
                                
                           FORM 10-QSB
                                
           Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)
             of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                
             For the Quarter Ended:  March 31, 1997
                                
                Commission file number:  0-14263
                                
                                
            AEI REAL ESTATE FUND 85-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact Name of Small Business Issuer as Specified in its Charter)


      State of Minnesota                   41-1511293
(State or other Jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)        Identification No.)


  1300 Minnesota World Trade Center, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
            (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
                                
                         (612) 227-7333
                   (Issuer's telephone number)
                                
                                
                         Not Applicable
 (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
                       since last report)
                                
Check  whether  the issuer (1) 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
                                
         Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format:
                                
                          Yes           No   [X]
                                
                                
                                
                                
          AEI REAL ESTATE FUND 85-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                
                                
                              INDEX
                                
                                
                                                     

PART I.  Financial Information

 Item 1.  Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996

          Statements for the Periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1996:

            Income

            Cash Flows

            Changes in Partners' Capital

          Notes to Financial Statements

 Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis

PART II. Other Information

 Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 Item 2.  Changes in Securities

 Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 Item 5.  Other Information

 Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K




<PAGE>                                
          AEI REAL ESTATE FUND 85-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                          BALANCE SHEET
                                
              MARCH 31, 1997 AND DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                
                           (Unaudited)
                                
                             ASSETS

                                                     1997           1996

CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and Cash Equivalents                     $   166,785     $   137,141

INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE:
  Land                                            1,877,226       1,877,226
  Buildings and Equipment                         3,249,122       3,249,122
  Accumulated Depreciation                         (922,111)       (896,171)
                                                 -----------     -----------
      Net Investments in Real Estate              4,204,237       4,230,177
                                                 -----------     -----------
          Total Assets                          $ 4,371,022     $ 4,367,318
                                                 ===========     ===========


                        LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Payable to AEI Fund Management, Inc.          $    26,551     $    16,980
  Distributions Payable                              84,562          84,562
  Unearned Rent                                       7,525               0
                                                 -----------     -----------
      Total Current Liabilities                     118,638         101,542
                                                 -----------     -----------
PARTNERS' CAPITAL (DEFICIT):
  General Partners                                  (35,575)        (35,441)
  Limited Partners, $1,000 Unit value;
   7,500 Units authorized and issued;
   7,085 Units outstanding                        4,287,959       4,301,217
                                                 -----------     -----------
     Total Partners' Capital                      4,252,384       4,265,776
                                                 -----------     -----------
       Total Liabilities and Partners' Capital  $ 4,371,022     $ 4,367,318
                                                 ===========     ===========


 The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral
                     part of this statement.

</PAGE>

<PAGE>                                
          AEI REAL ESTATE FUND 85-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                
                       STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                
                 FOR THE PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31
                                
                           (Unaudited)
                                
                                
                                                      1997           1996

INCOME:
   Rent                                          $   134,312     $   118,060
   Investment Income                                   1,511           6,346
                                                  -----------     -----------
        Total Income                                 135,823         124,406
                                                  -----------     -----------

EXPENSES:
   Partnership Administration - Affiliates            20,879          27,869
   Partnership Administration and Property
      Management - Unrelated Parties                   7,547           6,455
   Depreciation                                       25,940          25,642
                                                  -----------     -----------
        Total Expenses                                54,366          59,966
                                                  -----------     -----------

NET INCOME                                       $    81,457     $    64,440
                                                  ===========     ===========

NET INCOME ALLOCATED:
   General Partners                              $       815     $       644
   Limited Partners                                   80,642          63,796
                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                 $    81,457     $    64,440
                                                  ===========     ===========

NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP UNIT
  (7,085 and 7,107 weighted average Units
   outstanding in 1997 and 1996, respectively)   $     11.38     $     8.98
                                                  ===========     ===========



 The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral
                     part of this statement.

</PAGE>

<PAGE>                                
          AEI REAL ESTATE FUND 85-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                
                     STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                
                 FOR THE PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31

                           (Unaudited)
                                
                                                        1997          1996

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net Income                                      $    81,457    $    64,440

  Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income
  To Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:
     Depreciation                                      25,940         25,642
     Decrease in Receivables                                0          3,045
     Increase (Decrease) in Payable to
        AEI Fund Management, Inc.                       9,571         (6,676)
     Increase in Unearned Rent                          7,525              0
                                                   -----------    -----------
       Total Adjustments                               43,036         22,011
                                                   -----------    -----------
       Net Cash Provided By
           Operating Activities                       124,493         86,451
                                                   -----------    -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Investments in Real Estate                                0       (834,725)
                                                   -----------    -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Decrease in Distributions Payable                         0        (75,757)
  Distributions to Partners                           (94,849)       (94,849)
                                                   -----------    -----------
       Net Cash Used For
           Financing Activities                       (94,849)      (170,606)
                                                   -----------    -----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
   AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                29,644       (918,880)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period        137,141      1,017,632
                                                   -----------    -----------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period          $   166,785    $    98,752
                                                   ===========    ===========



 The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral
                     part of this statement.

</PAGE>

<PAGE>                                
          AEI REAL ESTATE FUND 85-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                
            STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL
                                
                 FOR THE PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31
                                
                           (Unaudited) 
                                
                                
                                                                     Limited
                                                                   Partnership
                               General      Limited                   Units
                               Partners     Partners     Total     Outstanding


BALANCE, December 31, 1995   $  (34,720)  $ 4,372,624  $ 4,337,904    7,106.63

  Distributions                    (948)      (93,901)     (94,849)

  Net Income                        644        63,796       64,440
                              ----------   -----------  -----------  ----------
BALANCE, March 31, 1996      $  (35,024)  $ 4,342,519  $ 4,307,495    7,106.63
                              ==========   ===========  ===========  ==========


BALANCE, December 31, 1996   $  (35,441)  $ 4,301,217  $ 4,265,776    7,084.63

  Distributions                    (949)      (93,900)     (94,849)

  Net Income                        815        80,642       81,457
                              ----------   -----------  -----------  ----------
BALANCE, March 31, 1997      $  (35,575)  $ 4,287,959  $ 4,252,384    7,084.63
                              ==========   ===========  ===========  ==========






 The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral
                     part of this statement.

</PAGE>
                                
          AEI REAL ESTATE FUND 85-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                
                         MARCH 31, 1997
                                
                           (Unaudited)
                                

(1)  The  condensed  statements included herein have been  prepared
     by  the Partnership, without audit, pursuant to the rules  and
     regulations  of  the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  and
     reflect   all  adjustments  which  are,  in  the  opinion   of
     management,  necessary to a fair statement of the  results  of
     operations for the interim period, on a basis consistent  with
     the  annual audited statements.  The adjustments made to these
     condensed   statements  consist  only  of   normal   recurring
     adjustments.   Certain information, accounting  policies,  and
     footnote    disclosures   normally   included   in   financial
     statements  prepared  in  accordance with  generally  accepted
     accounting principles have been condensed or omitted  pursuant
     to  such  rules  and  regulations,  although  the  Partnership
     believes  that  the  disclosures  are  adequate  to  make  the
     information  presented not misleading.  It is  suggested  that
     these  condensed financial statements be read  in  conjunction
     with  the  financial statements and the summary of significant
     accounting  policies  and  notes  thereto  included   in   the
     Partnership's latest annual report on Form 10-KSB.

(2)  Organization -

     AEI  Real Estate Fund 85-A Limited Partnership (Partnership)
     was  formed  to  acquire and lease commercial properties  to
     operating tenants.  The Partnership's operations are managed
     by  Net  Lease  Management 85-A, Inc.  (NLM),  the  Managing
     General Partner of the Partnership.  Robert P. Johnson,  the
     President  and  sole  shareholder  of  NLM,  serves  as  the
     Individual General Partner of the Partnership.  An affiliate
     of  NLM,  AEI  Fund  Management, Inc.  (AEI),  performs  the
     administrative and operating functions for the Partnership.
     
     The   terms   of  the  Partnership  offering  call   for   a
     subscription  price of $1,000 per Limited Partnership  Unit,
     payable   on  acceptance  of  the  offer.   The  Partnership
     commenced   operations  on  April  15,  1985  when   minimum
     subscriptions    of   1,300   Limited   Partnership    Units
     ($1,300,000)  were  accepted.   The  Partnership's  offering
     terminated  on  June 20, 1985 when the maximum  subscription
     limit  of  7,500 Limited Partnership Units ($7,500,000)  was
     reached.
     
     Under  the  terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement,  the
     Limited  Partners and General Partners contributed funds  of
     $7,500,000  and $1,000, respectively.  During the  operation
     of the Partnership, any Net Cash Flow, as defined, which the
     General Partners determine to distribute will be distributed
     90% to the Limited Partners and 10% to the General Partners;
     provided,  however, that such distributions to  the  General
     Partners will be subordinated to the Limited Partners  first
     receiving an annual, noncumulative distribution of Net  Cash
     Flow equal to 10% of their Adjusted Capital Contribution, as
     defined,  and, provided further, that in no event  will  the
     General Partners receive less than 1% of such Net Cash  Flow
     per  annum.  Distributions to Limited Partners will be  made
     pro rata by Units.
     
                                
          AEI REAL ESTATE FUND 85-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           (Continued)
                                
(2)  Organization - (Continued)

     Any  Net  Proceeds  of Sale, as defined, from  the  sale  or
     financing of the Partnership's properties which the  General
     Partners determine to distribute will, after provisions  for
     debts  and  reserves, be paid in the following  manner:  (i)
     first,  99%  to the Limited Partners and 1% to  the  General
     Partners until the Limited Partners receive an amount  equal
     to:  (a)  their Adjusted Capital Contribution  plus  (b)  an
     amount  equal  to 6% of their Adjusted Capital  Contribution
     per  annum, cumulative but not compounded, to the extent not
     previously distributed from Net Cash Flow; (ii) next, 99% to
     the  Limited  Partners and 1% to the General Partners  until
     the Limited Partners receive an amount equal to 14% of their
     Adjusted Capital Contribution per annum, cumulative but  not
     compounded, to the extent not previously distributed;  (iii)
     next, to the General Partners until cumulative distributions
     to the General Partners under Items (ii) and (iii) equal 15%
     of cumulative distributions to all Partners under Items (ii)
     and (iii).  Any remaining balance will be distributed 85% to
     the  Limited  Partners  and  15% to  the  General  Partners.
     Distributions to the Limited Partners will be made pro  rata
     by Units.
     
     For  tax  purposes,  profits  from  operations,  other  than
     profits  attributable  to  the  sale,  exchange,  financing,
     refinancing   or  other  disposition  of  the  Partnership's
     property,  will  be  allocated first in the  same  ratio  in
     which,  and  to the extent, Net Cash Flow is distributed  to
     the Partners for such year.  Any additional profits will  be
     allocated 90% to the Limited Partners and 10% to the General
     Partners.   In the event no Net Cash Flow is distributed  to
     the  Limited  Partners,  90% of  each  item  of  Partnership
     income,  gain  or credit for each respective year  shall  be
     allocated to the Limited Partners, and 10% of each such item
     shall be allocated to the General Partners.  Net losses from
     operations will be allocated 98% to the Limited Partners and
     2% to the General Partners.
     
     For  tax purposes, profits arising from the sale, financing,
     or  other disposition of the Partnership's property will  be
     allocated  in  accordance with the Partnership Agreement  as
     follows:  (i) first, to those Partners with deficit balances
     in  their capital accounts in an amount equal to the sum  of
     such  deficit  balances; (ii) second,  99%  to  the  Limited
     Partners  and 1% to the General Partners until the aggregate
     balance in the Limited Partners' capital accounts equals the
     sum  of the Limited Partners' Adjusted Capital Contributions
     plus  an  amount  equal  to 14% of  their  Adjusted  Capital
     Contributions  per annum, cumulative but not compounded,  to
     the  extent  not previously allocated; (iii) third,  to  the
     General Partners until cumulative allocations to the General
     Partners equal 15% of cumulative allocations.  Any remaining
     balance  will  be allocated 85% to the Limited Partners  and
     15%  to the General Partners.  Losses will be allocated  98%
     to the Limited Partners and 2% to the General Partners.
     
     The  General Partners are not required to currently  fund  a
     deficit capital balance. Upon liquidation of the Partnership
     or  withdrawal  by  a General Partner, the General  Partners
     will  contribute to the Partnership an amount equal  to  the
     lesser of the deficit balances in their capital accounts  or
     1%  of total Limited Partners' and General Partners' capital
     contributions.
     
          AEI REAL ESTATE FUND 85-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           (Continued)
                                
(3)  Payable to AEI Fund Management -

     AEI  Fund  Management, Inc. performs the administrative  and
     operating functions for the Partnership.  The payable to AEI
     Fund   Management  represents  the  balance  due  for  those
     services.    This  balance  is  non-interest   bearing   and
     unsecured  and  is  to  be  paid in  the  normal  course  of
     business.


ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Results of Operations

        For  the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996,  the
Partnership  recognized rental income of $134,312  and  $118,060,
respectively.   During the same periods, the  Partnership  earned
investment income of $1,511 and $6,346, respectively.   In  1997,
rental income increased mainly as a result of the reinvestment of
net sale proceeds in an additional property discussed below.  The
increase  in rental income was partially offset by a decrease  in
investment  income  earned  on the  net  proceeds  prior  to  the
purchase of the additional property.

       During the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, the
Partnership   paid   Partnership   administration   expenses   to
affiliated  parties of $20,879 and $27,869, respectively.   These
administration  expenses  include  costs  associated   with   the
management of the properties, processing distributions, reporting
requirements  and correspondence to the Limited Partners.  During
the   same   periods,   the  Partnership   incurred   Partnership
administration  and property management expenses  from  unrelated
parties  of  $7,547  and  $6,455, respectively.   These  expenses
represent  direct payments to third parties for legal and  filing
fees,  direct administrative costs, outside audit and  accounting
costs, taxes, insurance and other property costs.

        As  of March 31, 1997, the Partnership's annualized  cash
distribution  rate  was  5.85%, based  on  the  Adjusted  Capital
Contribution.   Distributions of Net Cash  Flow  to  the  General
Partners were subordinated to the Limited Partners as required in
the Partnership Agreement.  As a result, 99% of distributions and
income  were allocated to Limited Partners and 1% to the  General
Partners.

        Inflation  has  had  a  minimal  effect  on  income  from
operations.   It is expected that increases in sales  volumes  of
the  tenants, due to inflation and real sales growth, will result
in  an  increase  in rental income over the term of  the  leases.
Inflation  also  may  cause  the  Partnership's  real  estate  to
appreciate in value.  However, inflation and changing prices  may
also  have  an  adverse impact on the operating  margins  of  the
properties' tenants which could impair their ability to pay  rent
and subsequently reduce the Partnership's Net Cash Flow available
for distributions.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        During  the  three  months  ended  March  31,  1997,  the
Partnership's cash balances increased $29,644 as the  Partnership
distributed  less  cash to the Partners than  it  generated  from
operating  activities.  Net cash provided by operating activities
increased  from  $86,451 in 1996 to $124,493 in 1997  due  to  an
increase in income from the reinvestment of net sales proceeds in
an  additional property, a reduction in expenses and  net  timing
differences  in the collection of payments from the  lessees  and
the payment of expenses.


ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  (Continued)

        In  the  first  three months of 1996, net cash  used  for
investing  activities was $834,725, as the Partnership  completed
the reinvestment of sale proceeds in an additional property.   On
February 14, 1996, the Partnership purchased an  80% interest  in
a  Tractor  Supply  Company  store in  Maryville,  Tennessee  for
$837,058.  The property is leased to Tractor Supply Company under
a  Lease  Agreement with a primary term of 14  years  and  annual
rental  payments  of  $90,300.  The  remaining  interest  in  the
property  was  purchased  by  AEI Real  Estate  Fund  XV  Limited
Partnership, an affiliate of the Partnership.

       The Partnership's primary use of cash flow is distribution
and  redemption  payments to Partners.  The Partnership  declares
its  regular  quarterly  distributions before  the  end  of  each
quarter and pays the distribution in the first week after the end
of  each quarter.  The Partnership attempts to maintain a  stable
distribution  rate from quarter to quarter.  Redemption  payments
are  paid  to  redeeming Partners in the fourth quarter  of  each
year.  In 1997, net cash used for financing activities decreased,
when  compared to 1996, as a result of an additional distribution
of  net sale proceeds of approximately $75,000, which was accrued
in December, 1995, but not paid until January, 1996.

        The  Partnership may purchase Units from Limited Partners
who have tendered their Units to the Partnership.  Such Units may
be  acquired at a discount.  The Partnership is not obligated  to
purchase  in any year more than 5% of the total number  of  Units
originally sold.  In no event shall the Partnership be  obligated
to  purchase  Units if, in the sole discretion  of  the  Managing
General  Partner,  such  purchase would  impair  the  capital  or
operation of the Partnership.

        During 1996, six Limited Partners redeemed a total of  22
Partnership  Units for $10,294 in accordance with the Partnership
Agreement.  The Partnership acquired these Units using  Net  Cash
Flow  from  operations.  In prior years,  a  total  of  forty-six
Limited  Partners redeemed 393.37 Partnership Units for $302,828.
The   redemptions   increase  the  remaining  Limited   Partners'
ownership interest in the Partnership.

      The continuing rent payments from the properties should  be
adequate   to  fund  continuing  distributions  and  meet   other
Partnership obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.

                                
                   PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
                                
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

       There  are no material pending legal proceedings to  which
  the  Partnership  is  a  party or of  which  the  Partnership's
  property is subject.
                                
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES

       None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

       None.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

        None.

                   PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
                           (Continued)
                                
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

       None.
 
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

       a. Exhibits -
                            Description

          27 Financial Data Schedule  for  period
             ended March 31, 1997.

       b.  Reports filed on Form 8-K - None.
                                
                                
                           SIGNATURES
                                
     In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the
Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its  behalf  by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


Dated:  May 9, 1997           AEI Real Estate Fund 85-A
                              Limited Partnership
                              By: Net Lease Management  85-A, Inc.
                              Its: Managing General Partner



                              By: /s/ Robert P Johnson
                                      Robert P. Johnson
                                      President
                                      (Principal Executive Officer)



                              By: /s/ Mark E Larson
                                      Mark E. Larson
                                      Chief Financial Officer
                                      (Principal Accounting Officer)