<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Berkshire
Realty Company's Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1998 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                      12,366,880
<SECURITIES>                                14,813,206<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                               16,305,255<F2>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            29,303,383<F3>
<PP&E>                                     936,118,118<F4>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,008,906,842
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       33,528,564
<BONDS>                                    572,699,318<F5>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       69,661,451<F6>
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                   337,035,584<F7>
<OTHER-SE>                                 (4,018,075)<F8>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,008,906,842
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           182,784,997<F9>
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           156,268,719<F10>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          38,801,288
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (12,285,010)
<DISCONTINUED>                             (3,266,019)<F11>
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                132,454<F12>
<CHANGES>                                    1,264,920<F13>
<NET-INCOME>                              (14,153,655)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.39)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.39)
<FN>
<F1>Includes MBS securities, Mortgage loans and Notes receivable.
<F2>Includes escrows held.
<F3>Includes Intangible Asset and Workforce acquired of 9,449,030 and other assets
of 19,854,353.
<F4>Includes properties held less depreciation.
<F5>Includes Credit Agreements, Mortgages payable and Construction loan.
<F6>Includes Minority Interest.
<F7>Includes Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Additional Paid-In Capital and
Accumulated deficit.
<F8>Includes Loan receivable to Officer and Treasury Stock.
<F9>Includes all revenue of the Company.
<F10>Includes all expenses of the Company.
<F11>Includes Minority Interest income less Income allocated to preferred
shareholders and Extraordinary items.
<F12>Includes income on Joint Venture.
<F13>Includes Gain on Sale of properties.
</FN>
        








</TABLE>