<PAGE>


                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[XX]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
      ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended        December 31, 1997
                         -------------------------------------------------------

                                       OR

[ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

For the transition period from___________________ to ___________________________

Commission file number       0-20029
                       ---------------------------------------------------------


      American Income Fund I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 Massachusetts                                   04-3127244
------------------------------------------       -------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                  (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.)

 88 Broad Street, Sixth Floor, Boston, MA        02110
------------------------------------------       -------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code   (617) 854-5800
                                                  ------------------------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act       NONE
                                                          ----------------------

     Title of each class             Name of each exchange on which registered

------------------------------       -------------------------------------------
------------------------------       -------------------------------------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

           883,829.31 Units Representing Limited Partnership Interest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of class)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of class)

      Indicate by 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  XX          No
                                               ----            ----

      State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates
of the registrant. Not applicable. Securities are nonvoting for this purpose.
Refer to Item 12 for further information.

                            AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E,
                       a Massachusetts Limited Partnership
                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
       Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to security holders for
                the year ended December 31, 1997 (Part I and II)


<PAGE>


                                    FORM 10-K

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     Page
                                                                                                     ----

                                     PART I

<S>               <C>                                                                               <C>
Item 1.           Business                                                                              3

Item 2.           Properties                                                                            5

Item 3.           Legal Proceedings                                                                     5

Item 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                                   5

                                     PART II

Item 5.           Market for the Partnership's Securities and Related Security Holder Matters           6

Item 6.           Selected Financial Data                                                               7

Item 7.           Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
                  Operations                                                                            7

Item 8.           Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                                           7

Item 9.           Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
                  Disclosure                                                                            7

                                    PART III

Item 10.          Directors and Executive Officers of the Partnership                                   8

Item 11.          Executive Compensation                                                               10

Item 12.          Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management                       10

Item 13.          Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                                       11

                                     PART IV

Item 14.          Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K                   14-16
</TABLE>


                                       -2-
<PAGE>


PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

     (a)  General Development of Business

     AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership (the
"Partnership"), was organized as a limited partnership under the
Massachusetts Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Uniform Act") on August
29, 1991, for the purpose of acquiring and leasing to third parties a
diversified portfolio of capital equipment. Partners' capital initially
consisted of contributions of $1,000 from the General Partner (AFG Leasing VI
Incorporated) and $100 from the Initial Limited Partner (AFG Assignor
Corporation). On December 4, 1991 the Partnership concluded an Interim
Closing and issued 587,079.96 units of limited partnership interest (the
"Units") to 654 investors for a purchase price of $14,569,875. Included in
the 587,079.96 units are 4,284.96 bonus units. On January 31, 1992 the
Partnership concluded its Final Closing. An additional 296,749.35 units
(including 626.35 bonus units) were purchased for an additional purchase
price of $7,403,075 and an additional 735 investors became Limited Partners
of the Partnership. As of January 31, 1992, an aggregate total of 883,829.31
units (including 4,911.31 bonus units) had been purchased for an aggregate
total purchase price of $21,972,950 and an aggregate of 1,089 investors had
become Limited Partners of the Partnership. The Partnership has one General
Partner, AFG Leasing VI Incorporated, a Massachusetts corporation formed in
1990 and an affiliate of Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership (formerly
American Finance Group), a Massachusetts limited partnership ("EFG" or the
"Manager"). The General Partner is not required to make any other capital
contributions except as may be required under the Uniform Act and Section
6.1(b) of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Certificate of Limited
Partnership (the "Restated Agreement, as amended").


     (b)  Financial Information About Industry Segments

     The Partnership is engaged in only one industry segment: the business of
acquiring capital equipment and leasing the equipment to creditworthy lessees
on a full payout or operating lease basis. Full payout leases are those in
which aggregate noncancellable rents equal or exceed the Purchase Price of
the leased equipment. Operating leases are those in which the aggregate
noncancellable rental payments are less than the Purchase Price of the leased
equipment. Industry segment data is not applicable.

     (c)  Narrative Description of Business

     The Partnership was organized to acquire a diversified portfolio of
capital equipment subject to various full payout and operating leases and to
lease the equipment to third parties as income-producing investments. More
specifically, the Partnership's primary investment objectives are to acquire
and lease equipment which will:

     1. Generate quarterly cash distributions;

     2. Preserve and protect Partnership capital; and

     3. Maintain substantial residual value for ultimate sale.

     The Partnership has the additional objective of providing certain federal
income tax benefits.

     The initial Closing Date of the Offering of Units of the Partnership was
December 4, 1991. Significant operations commenced with the initial purchase
of equipment and the associated lease commitments on December 4, 1991. The
Partnership concluded its Final Closing on January 31, 1992. The acquisition
of the equipment and its associated leases is described in Note 3 to the
financial statements included in Item 14, herein. The Partnership is expected
to terminate no later than December 31, 2002; however, the Partnership is a
Nominal Defendant in a Class Action Lawsuit. The outcome of the Class Action
Lawsuit could alter the nature of the Partnership's organization and its
future business operations. See Note 8 to the accompanying financial
statements.

                                       -3-
<PAGE>

     The Partnership has no employees; however, it is managed pursuant to a
Management Agreement with EFG or one of its affiliates. The Manager's role,
among other things, is to (i) evaluate, select, negotiate, and consummate the
acquisition of equipment, (ii) manage the leasing, re-leasing, financing, and
refinancing of equipment, and (iii) arrange the resale of equipment. The Manager
is compensated for such services as described in the Restated Agreement, as
amended, Item 13 herein, and in Note 5 to the financial statements included in
Item 14, herein.

     The Partnership's investment in equipment is, and will continue to be,
subject to various risks, including physical deterioration, technological
obsolescence and defaults by lessees. A principal business risk of owning and
leasing equipment is the possibility that aggregate lease revenues and equipment
sale proceeds will be insufficient to provide an acceptable rate of return on
invested capital after payment of all debt service costs and operating expenses.
Consequently, the success of the Partnership is largely dependent upon the
ability of the General Partner and its Affiliates to forecast technological
advances, the ability of the lessees to fulfill their lease obligations and the
quality and marketability of the equipment at the time of sale.

     In addition, the leasing industry is very competitive. Although all funds
available for acquisitions have been invested in equipment, subject to
noncancellable lease agreements, the Partnership will encounter considerable
competition when equipment is re-leased or sold at the expiration of primary
lease terms. The Partnership will compete with lease programs offered directly
by manufacturers and other equipment leasing companies, including limited
partnerships organized and managed similarly to the Partnership, and including
other EFG-sponsored partnerships and trusts, which may seek to re-lease or sell
equipment within their own portfolios to the same customers as the Partnership.
Many competitors have greater financial resources and more experience than the
Partnership, the General Partner and the Manager.

     Generally, the Partnership is prohibited from reinvesting the proceeds
generated by refinancing or selling equipment. Accordingly, it is anticipated
that the Partnership will begin to liquidate its portfolio of equipment at the
expiration of the initial and renewal lease terms and to distribute the net
liquidation proceeds. As an alternative to sale, the Partnership may enter
re-lease agreements when considered advantageous by the General Partner and the
Manager.

     Revenue from individual lessees which accounted for 10% or more of lease
revenue during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is incorporated
herein by reference to Note 2 to the financial statements in the 1997 Annual
Report. Refer to Item 14(a)(3) for lease agreements filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

     Default by a lessee under a lease may cause equipment to be returned to the
Partnership at a time when the General Partner or the Manager is unable to
arrange for the re-lease or sale of such equipment. This could result in the
loss of a material portion of anticipated revenues and significantly weaken the
Partnership's ability to repay related debt.

      EFG is a Massachusetts limited partnership formerly known as American
Finance Group ("AFG"). AFG was established in 1988 as a Massachusetts general
partnership and succeeded American Finance Group, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation organized in 1980. EFG and its subsidiaries (collectively, the
"Company") are engaged in various aspects of the equipment leasing business,
including EFG's role as Manager or Advisor to the Partnership and several other
Direct-Participation equipment leasing programs sponsored or co-sponsored by EFG
(the "Other Investment Programs"). The Company arranges to broker or originate
equipment leases, acts as remarketing agent and asset manager, and provides
leasing support services, such as billing, collecting, and asset tracking.

      The general partner of EFG, with a 1% controlling interest, is Equis
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation owned and controlled entirely by Gary
D. Engle, its President and Chief Executive Officer. Equis Corporation also owns
a controlling 1% general partner interest in EFG's 99% limited partner, GDE
Acquisition Limited Partnership ("GDE LP"). Equis Corporation and GDE LP were
established in December 1994 by Mr. Engle for the sole purpose of acquiring the
business of AFG.

      In January 1996, the Company sold certain assets of AFG relating primarily
to the business of originating new leases, and the name "American Finance
Group," and its acronym, to a third party. AFG changed its name


                                       -4-
<PAGE>

to Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership after the sale was concluded.
Pursuant to terms of the sale agreements, EFG specifically reserved the rights
to continue using the name American Finance Group and its acronym in connection
with the Partnership and the Other Investment Programs and to continue managing
all assets owned by the Partnership and the Other Investment Programs.

(d) Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales

      Not applicable.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.

      Incorporated herein by reference to Note 3 to the financial statements in
the 1997 Annual Report.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

      Incorporated herein by reference to Note 8 to the financial statements in
the 1997 Annual Report.

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

     None.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE PARTNERSHIP'S SECURITIES AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER
MATTERS.

     (a) Market Information

     There is no public market for the resale of the Units and it is not
anticipated that a public market for resale of the Units will develop.

     (b) Approximate Number of Security Holders

     At December 31, 1997, there were 1,010 record holders in the Partnership.

     (c) Dividend History and Restrictions

     Pursuant to Article VI of the Restated Agreement, as amended, the
Partnership's Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From
Sales or Refinancings are determined and distributed to the Partners quarterly.
Each quarter's distribution may vary in amount. Distributions may be made to the
General Partner prior to the end of the fiscal quarter; however, the amount of
such distribution reflects only amounts to which the General Partner is entitled
at the time such distribution is made. Currently, there are no restrictions that
materially limit the Partnership's ability to distribute Distributable Cash From
Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings or that the
Partnership believes are likely to materially limit the future distribution of
Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or
Refinancings. The Partnership expects to continue to distribute all
Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or
Refinancings on a quarterly basis.

     Distributions in 1997 and 1996 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     General          Limited
                                      Total          Partner         Partners
                                  -----------     -----------      -----------
<S>                               <C>             <C>              <C>
Total 1997 distributions          $ 1,177,470     $    58,873      $ 1,118,597

Total 1996 distributions            2,232,833         111,642        2,121,191
                                  -----------     -----------      -----------
             Total                $ 3,410,303     $   170,515      $ 3,239,788
                                  -----------     -----------      -----------
                                  -----------     -----------      -----------
</TABLE>

      Distributions payable were $235,495 and $313,993 at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.

     "Distributable Cash From Operations" means the net cash provided by the
Partnership's normal operations after general expenses and current liabilities
of the Partnership are paid, reduced by any reserves for working capital and
contingent liabilities to be funded from such cash, to the extent deemed
reasonable by the General Partner, and increased by any portion of such reserves
deemed by the General Partner not to be required for Partnership operations and
reduced by all accrued and unpaid Equipment Management Fees and, after Payout,
further reduced by all accrued and unpaid Subordinated Remarketing Fees.
Distributable Cash From Operations does not include any Distributable Cash From
Sales or Refinancings.

     "Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings" means Cash From Sales or
Refinancings as reduced by (i)(a) amounts realized from any loss or destruction
of equipment which the General Partner determines shall be reinvested in similar
equipment for the remainder of the original lease term of the lost or destroyed
equipment, or in isolated instances, in other equipment, if the General Partner
determines that investment of such proceeds will significantly improve the
diversity of the Partnership's equipment portfolio, and subject in either case
to satisfaction of all existing indebtedness secured by such equipment to the
extent deemed necessary or appropriate by the General Partner, or (b) the
proceeds from the sale of an interest in equipment pursuant to any agreement
governing a joint venture which the General Partner determines will be invested
in additional equipment or interests in equipment and which ultimately are so
reinvested and (ii) any accrued and unpaid Equipment Management Fees and, after
Payout, any accrued and unpaid Subordinated Remarketing Fees.


                                       -6-
<PAGE>

     "Cash From Sales or Refinancings" means cash received by the Partnership
from sale or refinancing transactions, as reduced by (i)(a) all debts and
liabilities of the Partnership required to be paid as a result of sale or
refinancing transactions, whether or not then due and payable (including any
liabilities on an item of equipment sold which are not assumed by the buyer and
any remarketing fees required to be paid to persons not affiliated with the
General Partner, but not including any Subordinated Remarketing Fees whether or
not then due and payable) and (b) general excess and current liabilities of the
Partnership (other than any portion of the Equipment Management Fee which is
required to be accrued and the Subordinated Remarketing Fee) and (c) any
reserves for working capital and contingent liabilities funded from such cash to
the extent deemed reasonable by the General Partner and (ii) increased by any
portion of such reserves deemed by the General Partner not to be required for
Partnership operations. In the event the Partnership accepts a note in
connection with any sale or refinancing transaction, all payments subsequently
received in cash by the Partnership with respect to such note shall be included
in Cash From Sales or Refinancings, regardless of the treatment of such payments
by the Partnership for tax or accounting purposes. If the Partnership receives
purchase money obligations in payment for equipment sold, which are secured by
liens on such equipment, the amount of such obligations shall not be included in
Cash From Sales or Refinancings until the obligations are fully satisfied.

     Each distribution of Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable
Cash From Sales or Refinancings of the Partnership shall be made 95% to the
Limited Partners and 5% to the General Partner.

     "Payout" is defined as the first time when the aggregate amount of all
distributions to the Limited Partners of Distributable Cash From Operations and
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings equals the aggregate amount of the
Limited Partners' original capital contributions plus a cumulative annual
distribution of 11% (compounded quarterly and calculated beginning with the last
day of the month of the Partnership's Closing Date) on their aggregate
unreturned capital contributions. For purposes of this definition, capital
contributions shall be deemed to have been returned only to the extent that
distributions of cash to the Limited Partners exceed the amount required to
satisfy the cumulative annual distribution of 11% (compounded quarterly) on the
Limited Partners' aggregate unreturned capital contributions, such calculation
to be based on the aggregate unreturned capital contributions outstanding on the
first day of each fiscal quarter.

     Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or
Refinancings ("Distributions") are distributed within 30 days after the
completion of each quarter, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter
following the Partnership's Closing Date. Each Distribution is described in a
statement sent to the Limited Partners.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

     Incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Selected
Financial Data" in the 1997 Annual Report.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.

     Incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the
1997 Annual Report.


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

     Incorporated herein by reference to the financial statements and
supplementary data included in the 1997 Annual Report.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

     None.


                                       -7-
<PAGE>

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE PARTNERSHIP.

     (a-b) Identification of Directors and Executive Officers

     The Partnership has no Directors or Officers. As indicated in Item 1 of
this report, AFG Leasing VI Incorporated is the sole General Partner of the
Partnership. Under the Restated Agreement, as amended, the General Partner is
solely responsible for the operation of the Partnership's properties and the
Limited Partners have no right to participate in the control of such operations.
The names, titles and ages of the Directors and Executive Officers of the
General Partner as of March 15, 1998 are as follows:

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
THE GENERAL PARTNER (See Item 13)
---------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Name                                            Title                                     Age             Term
--------------------------------           ---------------------------------------------         -----         -----------

<S>                                        <C>                                                     <C>          <C>
Geoffrey A. MacDonald                      Chairman and a member of the                                          Until a
                                           Executive Committee of EFG                                           successor
                                           and President and a Director                                          is duly
                                           of the General Partner                                  49           elected
                                                                                                                   and
                                                                                                                qualified
Gary D. Engle                              President and Chief Executive
                                           Officer and member of the
                                           Executive Committee of EFG                              49

Gary M. Romano                             Executive Vice President and Chief
                                           Operating Officer of EFG and
                                           Clerk of the General Partner                            38

James A. Coyne                             Executive Vice President of EFG                         37

Michael J. Butterfield                     Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
                                           of EFG and Treasurer of the
                                           General Partner                                         38

James F. Livesey                           Vice President, Aircraft and Vessels
                                           of EFG                                                  48

Sandra L. Simonsen                         Senior Vice President, Information Systems
                                           of EFG                                                  47

Gail D. Ofgant                             Vice President, Lease Operations of EFG                 32
</TABLE>


     (c) Identification of Certain Significant Persons

     None.

     (d) Family Relationship

     No family relationship exists among any of the foregoing Partners,
Directors or Executive Officers.

     (e) Business Experience


                                       -8-
<PAGE>

      Mr. MacDonald, age 49, is a co-founder, Chairman and a member of the
Executive Committee of EFG and President and a Director of the General Partner.
Mr. MacDonald was also a co-founder, Director and Senior Vice President of EFG's
predecessor corporation from 1980 to 1988. Mr. MacDonald is President of
American Finance Group Securities Corp. and a limited partner in Atlantic
Acquisition Limited Partnership ("AALP") and Old North Capital Limited
Partnership ("ONC"). Prior to co-founding EFG's predecessors, Mr. MacDonald held
various executive and management positions in the leasing and pharmaceutical
industries. Mr. MacDonald holds an M.B.A. from Boston College and a B.A. degree
from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst).

      Mr. Engle, age 49, is President and Chief Executive Officer and a member
of the Executive Committee of EFG and President of AFG Realty Corporation. Mr.
Engle is Vice President and a Director of certain of EFG's affiliates. On
December 16, 1994, Mr. Engle acquired control of EFG, the General Partner and
each of EFG's subsidiaries. Mr. Engle controls the general partner of AALP and
is a limited partner in AALP. Mr. Engle is also a limited partner in ONC. In May
1997, Mr. Engle was elected to the Board of Directors of Semele Group, Inc.
("Semele"). From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Engle was a principal and co-founder of Cobb
Partners Development, Inc., a real estate and mortgage banking company. From
1980 to 1987, Mr. Engle was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Arvida Disney Company, a large scale community development company owned by Walt
Disney Company. Prior to 1980, Mr. Engle served in various management consulting
and institutional brokerage capacities. Mr. Engle has an M.B.A. from Harvard
University and a B.S. degree from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst).

      Mr. Romano, age 38, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of EFG and certain of its affiliates and Clerk of the General Partner.
In November 1997, Mr. Romano was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Semele.
Mr. Romano joined EFG in November 1989 and was appointed Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer in April 1996. Prior to joining EFG, Mr.
Romano was Assistant Controller for a privately-held real estate company which
he joined in 1987. Mr. Romano held audit staff and manager positions at Ernst &
Whinney (now Ernst & Young LLP) from 1982 to 1986. Mr. Romano is a C.P.A. and
holds a B.S. degree from Boston College.

      Mr. Coyne, age 37, is Executive Vice President of EFG. Mr. Coyne joined
EFG in 1989, remained until May 1993, and rejoined EFG in November 1994. In
September 1997, Mr. Coyne was appointed Executive Vice President of EFG. Mr.
Coyne is a limited partner in AALP and ONC. In October 1997, Mr. Coyne was
elected President and Chief Operating Officer of Semele. From May 1993 through
November 1994, he was with the Raymond Company, a private investment firm, where
he was responsible for financing corporate and real estate acquisitions. From
1985 through 1989, Mr. Coyne was affiliated with a real estate investment
company and an equipment leasing company. Prior to 1985 he was with the
accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young LLP). He has a BS in
Business Administration from John Carroll University, a Masters Degree in
Accounting from Case Western Reserve University and is a Certified Public
Accountant.

      Mr. Butterfield, age 38, joined EFG in June 1992 and became Vice
President, Finance and Treasurer of EFG and certain of its affiliates in April
1996 and is Treasurer of the General Partner. Mr. Butterfield was appointed
Treasurer of Semele in November 1997. Prior to joining EFG, Mr. Butterfield was
an Audit Manager with Ernst & Young LLP, which he joined in 1987. Mr.
Butterfield was employed in public accounting and industry positions in New
Zealand and London (U.K.) prior to coming to the United States in 1987. Mr.
Butterfield attained his Associate Chartered Accountant (A.C.A.) professional
qualification in New Zealand and has completed his C.P.A. requirements in the
United States. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of
Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

      Mr. Livesey, age 48, is Vice President, Aircraft and Vessels, of EFG. Mr.
Livesey joined EFG in October, 1989, and was promoted to Vice President in
January 1992. Prior to joining EFG, Mr. Livesey held sales and marketing
positions with two privately-held equipment leasing firms. Mr. Livesey holds an
M.B.A. from Boston College and B.A. degree from Stonehill College.

      Ms. Simonsen, age 47, joined EFG in February 1990 and was promoted to
Senior Vice President, Information Systems of EFG in April 1996. Prior to
joining EFG, Ms. Simonsen was Vice President, Information Systems with Investors
Mortgage Insurance Company which she joined in 1973. Ms. Simonsen provided


                                       -9-
<PAGE>

systems consulting for a subsidiary of American International Group and authored
a software program published by IBM. Ms. Simonsen holds a B.A. degree from
Wilson College.

      Ms. Ofgant, age 32, is Vice President, Lease Operations of EFG and certain
of its affiliates. Ms. Ofgant joined EFG in June 1989, and was promoted to
Manager, Lease Operations in April 1994. In April 1996, Ms. Ofgant was appointed
Vice President, Lease Operations. Prior to joining EFG, Ms. Ofgant was employed
by Security Pacific National Trust Company. Ms. Ofgant holds a B.S. degree in
Finance from Providence College.

     (f) Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

     None.

     (g) Promoters and Control Persons

     See Item 10 (a-b) above.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.


     (a) Cash Compensation

     Currently, the Partnership has no employees. However, under the terms of
the Restated Agreement, as amended, the Partnership is obligated to pay all
costs of personnel employed full or part-time by the Partnership, including
officers or employees of the General Partner or its Affiliates. There is no plan
at the present time to make any officers or employees of the General Partner or
its Affiliates employees of the Partnership. The Partnership has not paid and
does not propose to pay any options, warrants or rights to the officers or
employees of the General Partner or its Affiliates.

     (b) Compensation Pursuant to Plans

     None.

     (c) Other Compensation

     Although the Partnership has no employees, as discussed in Item 11(a),
pursuant to Section 9.4(c) of the Restated Agreement, as amended, the
Partnership incurs a monthly charge for personnel costs of the Manager for
persons engaged in providing administrative services to the Partnership. A
description of the remuneration paid by the Partnership to the Manager for such
services is included in Item 13, herein and in Note 5 of the financial
statements included in Item 14, herein.

     (d) Compensation of Directors

     None.

     (e) Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangement

     There exists no remuneration plan or arrangement with the General Partner
or its Affiliates which results or may result from their resignation, retirement
or any other termination.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     By virtue of its organization as a limited partnership, the Partnership has
outstanding no securities possessing traditional voting rights. However, as
provided in Section 10.2(a) of the Restated Agreement, as amended (subject to
Sections 10.2(b) and 10.3), a majority interest of the Limited Partners have
voting rights with respect to:

     1.  Amendment of the Restated Agreement;


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

     2.  Termination of the Partnership;

     3.  Removal of the General Partner; and

     4.  Approval or disapproval of the sale of all, or substantially all, of
         the assets of the Partnership (except in the orderly liquidation of the
         Partnership upon its termination and dissolution).

     As of March 1, 1998, the following person or group owns beneficially more
than 5% of the Partnership's 883,829.31 outstanding Units:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Name and                            Amount                  Percent
              Title                                  Address of                        of Beneficial                of
            of Class                              Beneficial Owner                       Ownership                 Class
--------------------------------    ----------------------------------------       --------------------          -----------
       <S>                           <C>                                              <C>                          <C>
       Units Representing            Old North Capital Limited Partnership
       Limited Partnership                       88 Broad Street                      87,118.15 Units              9.86%
            Interests                           Boston, MA 02110
</TABLE>

      Messrs. Engle, MacDonald and Coyne have ownership interests in ONC. In
December 1996, EFG purchased a 49% limited partnership interest in ONC. See
Items 10 and 13 of this report.

     The ownership and organization of EFG is described in Item 1 of this
report.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     The General Partner of the Partnership is AFG Leasing VI Incorporated, an
affiliate of EFG.

     (a) Transactions with Management and Others

     All operating expenses incurred by the Partnership are paid by EFG on
behalf of the Partnership and EFG is reimbursed at its actual cost for such
expenditures. Fees and other costs incurred during the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, which were paid or accrued by the Partnership to EFG or its
Affiliates, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         1997            1996             1995
                                     -----------     -----------      ----------
<S>                                  <C>             <C>              <C>
Equipment management fees            $   183,112     $   154,545      $  161,615
Administrative charges                    63,126          39,739          21,000
Reimbursable operating expenses
   due to third parties                  135,893         122,586          95,500
                                     -----------     -----------      ----------
                    Total            $   382,131     $   316,870      $  278,115
                                     -----------     -----------      ----------
                                     -----------     -----------      ----------
</TABLE>

     As provided under the terms of the Management Agreement, EFG is compensated
for its services to the Partnership. Such services include all aspects of
acquisition, management and sale of equipment. For acquisition services, EFG is
compensated by an amount equal to 2.23% of Equipment Base Price paid by the
Partnership. For management services, EFG is compensated by an amount equal to
the lesser of (i) 5% of gross operating lease rental revenues and 2% of gross
full payout lease rental revenue received by the Partnership or (ii) fees which
the General Partner reasonably believes to be competitive for similar services
for similar equipment. Both of these fees are subject to certain limitations
defined in the Management Agreement. Compensation to EFG for services connected
to the sale of equipment is calculated as the lesser of (i) 3% of gross sale
proceeds or (ii) one-half of reasonable brokerage fees otherwise payable under
arm's length circumstances. Payment of the remarketing fee is subordinated to
Payout and is subject to certain limitations defined in the Management
Agreement.

     Administrative charges represent amounts owed to EFG, pursuant to Section
9.4(c) of the Restated Agreement, as amended, for persons employed by EFG who
are engaged in providing administrative services to


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

the Partnership. Reimbursable operating expenses due to third parties represent
costs paid by EFG on behalf of the Partnership which are reimbursed to EFG.

     In 1991, the Partnership acquired 900 intermodal cargo containers, at a
cost of $1,840,140, and leased such containers to ICCU Containers, S.p.A.
("ICCU"), an affiliate of Clou Investments (U.S.A.), Inc. ("CLOU"), which
formerly owned a minority interest in AFG Holdings Illinois Limited Partnership,
formerly a partner in AFG. The ability of ICCU to fulfill all of its obligations
under the lease contract deteriorated, in EFG's view, in 1994. As a result, EFG,
on the Partnership's behalf, began negotiations with other parties to either
assume the lease obligations of ICCU or acquire the containers. As a result of
these negotiations, the Partnership transferred 899 containers, having a net
book value of $1,037,983 to a third-party on November 30, 1994. The Partnership
received, as settlement from ICCU and the third party, consideration as follows:
(i) a contractual right to receive comparable containers with an estimated fair
market value of $1,035,318 and (ii) beneficial assignment of an existing EFG
note payable to CLOU which had a principal balance of $370,676 at the date of
the transaction. The note had an effective interest rate of 8% and a quarterly
amortization schedule which matured on December 31, 1996. All amounts due from
EFG pursuant to this note had been received by the Partnership at December 31,
1996 in accordance with the original amortization schedule. A portion of the
consideration received was used to satisfy the Partnership's accounts receivable
balance of $183,161 outstanding from ICCU at November 30, 1994. The remaining
container of the original equipment group was disposed of in 1992 for stipulated
payment as a result of a casualty event.

     In April 1995, the Partnership replaced the original containers with
comparable containers and leased such containers to a new lessee pursuant to the
rules for completing a like-kind exchange for income tax reporting purposes. The
carrying value of the new containers, $1,958,034, was reduced by $184,850,
representing the amount of gain deferred on the original containers. The
Partnership obtained approximately $925,000 of long-term financing in connection
with the replacement containers.

     All equipment was purchased from EFG, one of its affiliates or from
third-party sellers. The Partnership's Purchase Price is determined by the
method described in Note 2 to the financial statements included in Item 14,
herein.

     During 1997, the Partnership and certain affiliated investment programs
sponsored by EFG exchanged their ownership interests in certain vessels for
aggregate consideration of $11,565,375. The Partnership's share of such
consideration was $2,456,528 consisting of common stock in Semele valued at
$638,615, a note receivable from Semele of $938,718 and cash of $879,195. For
further discussion, see Note 4, "Investment Securities - Affiliate / Note
Receivable - Affiliate to the financial statements included in Item14 herein and
Item 10.

     All rents and proceeds from the sale of equipment are paid directly to
either EFG or to a lender. EFG temporarily deposits collected funds in a
separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to the Partnership.
At December 31, 1997, the Partnership was owed $809,443 by EFG for such funds
and the interest thereon. These funds were remitted to the Partnership in
January 1998.

     Atlantic Acquisition Limited Partnership ("AALP") and Old North Capital
Limited Partnership ("ONC"), both Massachusetts limited partnerships formed in
1995 owned and controlled by certain principals of EFG, own 23,472 Units or
2.66% and 87,118.15 Units or 9.86% of the total outstanding units of the
Partnership, respectively. EFG owns a Class D interest in AALP and a 49% limited
partnership interest in ONC, both of which it acquired in December 1996.

     (b) Certain Business Relationships

     None.

     (c) Indebtedness of Management to the Partnership

     None.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

     (d) Transactions with Promoters

     See Item 13(a) above.


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

     (a)  Documents filed as part of this report:

         (1)     Financial Statements:

                 Report of Independent Auditors................................*

                 Statement of Financial Position
                 at December 31, 1997 and 1996.................................*

                 Statement of Operations
                 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995..........*

                 Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital
                 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995..........*

                 Statement of Cash Flows
                 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995..........*

                 Notes to the Financial Statements.............................*

         (2)     Financial Statement Schedules:

                 None required.

         (3)     Exhibits:

                 Except as set forth below, all Exhibits to Form 10-K, as set
                 forth in Item 601 of Regulation S-K, are not applicable.

      Exhibit
      Number
     ---------

        4        Amended and Restated Agreement and Certificate of Limited
                 Partnership included as Exhibit A to the Prospectus which is
                 included in Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-35148).

       13        The 1997 Annual Report to security holders, a copy of which is
                 furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange
                 Commission. Such Report, except for those portions thereof
                 which are incorporated herein by reference, is not deemed
                 "filed" with the Commission.

       23        Consent of Independent Auditors.

       99 (a)    Lease agreement with General Motors Corporation was filed
                 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
                 ended December 31, 1991 as Exhibit 28 (b) and is incorporated
                 herein by reference.

*  Incorporated herein by reference to the appropriate portion of the 1997
   Annual Report to security holders for the year ended December 31, 1997
   (see Part II).


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

      Exhibit
      Number
     ---------

       99 (b)    Lease agreement with Gearbulk Shipowning Ltd (formerly
                 Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi A/S) was filed in the
                 Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 December 31, 1992 as Exhibit 28 (f) and is incorporated herein
                 by reference.

       99 (c)    Lease agreement with National Steel Corporation was filed
                 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                 ended December 31, 1993 as Exhibit 28 (h) and is incorporated
                 herein by reference.

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K

        None.


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and
on the date indicated.

           AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership

                        By: AFG Leasing VI Incorporated,
                       a Massachusetts corporation and the
                       General Partner of the Registrant.


By: /s/ Geoffrey A. MacDonald               By: /s/ Gary D. Engle
    -----------------------------------         --------------------------------
Geoffrey A. MacDonald                       Gary D. Engle
Chairman and a member of the                President and Chief Executive
Executive Committee of EFG and              Officer and a member of the
President and a Director of the             Executive Committee of EFG
General Partner                             (Principal Executive Officer)


Date:     March 31, 1998                    Date:     March 31, 1998
     ----------------------------------          -------------------------------


By: /s/ Gary M. Romano                      By: /s/ Michael J. Butterfield
    -----------------------------------         --------------------------------
Gary M. Romano                              Michael J. Butterfield
Executive Vice President and Chief          Vice President, Finance and
Operating Officer of EFG and Clerk          Treasurer of EFG and Treasurer
of the General Partner                      of the General Partner
(Principal Financial Officer)               (Principal Accounting Officer)


Date:     March 31, 1998                    Date:     March 31, 1998
     ----------------------------------          -------------------------------


                                      -17-