<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                      5
<LEGEND>
                            THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                        EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 AND
                                THE STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
                                                   TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                                                 0000797977
<NAME>                                PARTICIPATING INCOME PROPERTIES 1986, L.P.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                   1
<CURRENCY>                                                          U.S. DOLLARS
                                        
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         JUN-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                 2,395,180
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                            281,726
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                               0
<PP&E>                                                                37,069,375
<DEPRECIATION>                                                        11,596,128
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        28,150,153
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                          0
<BONDS>                                                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                                            26,620,494
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                          28,150,153
<SALES>                                                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                       3,091,238
<CGS>                                                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                          1,016,899
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                             0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                        2,071,939
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                    2,071,939
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                           2,071,939
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                              39.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                  0
                                                                     

</TABLE>