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


                                    FORM 10-Q



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


     For the quarterly period ended            September 30, 1998
                                    --------------------------------------------


                                       OR

[ ]  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  0-7162
                            --------



                       McNeil PACIFIC INVESTORS FUND 1972
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



         California                               94-6279375
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)



              13760 Noel Road, Suite 600, LB70, Dallas, Texas 75240
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code      (972) 448-5800
                                                   -----------------------------




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 and (2) has been  subject to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
                                      ---  ---


<PAGE>
                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
------- --------------------


                       McNEIL PACIFIC INVESTORS FUND 1972
        (a California limited partnership in the process of liquidation)

                     STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS IN LIQUIDATION
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     September 30,   December 31,
                                                                         1998           1997
                                                                     -------------   ------------
ASSETS
------
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>     
Cash and cash equivalents ....................................        $401,171        $451,506
                                                                      --------        --------

                                                                      $401,171        $451,506
                                                                      ========        ========

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY
--------------------------------

Other accrued expenses .......................................        $  7,334        $ 19,702
Payable to affiliates - General Partner ......................          12,362          17,485
                                                                      --------        --------
                                                                        19,696          37,187
                                                                      --------        --------
Partners' equity:
  Limited  partners - 15,000 limited partnership units
    authorized;  13,752.5 limited partnership units
    issued and outstanding at September 30, 1998 and
    December 31, 1997 ........................................         381,475         414,319
   General Partner ...........................................              --              --
                                                                      --------        --------
                                                                       381,475         414,319
                                                                      --------        --------

                                                                      $401,171        $451,506
                                                                      ========        ========

</TABLE>



The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>
                       McNEIL PACIFIC INVESTORS FUND 1972
        (a California limited partnership in the process of liquidation)

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Three Months Ended                     Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,                         September 30,
                                              ---------------------------------    ----------------------------
                                                 1998               1997               1998            1997
                                              -----------        ----------        ----------        ----------

Revenue:
<S>                                           <C>                <C>               <C>                <C>       
   Rental revenue .....................        $       --        $  451,095        $       --         $1,349,802
   Interest ...........................             6,032             9,056            14,561             24,143
   Gain on sale of
     real estate ......................                --           151,141                --            151,141
                                               ----------        ----------        ----------         ----------
     Total revenue ....................             6,032           611,292            14,561          1,525,086
                                               ----------        ----------        ----------         ----------

Expenses:
   Interest ...........................                --            40,700                --            133,196
   Property taxes .....................                --            32,029                --             90,765
   Personnel expenses .................                --            75,719                73            221,237
   Utilities ..........................                --            16,696                --             50,785
   Repair and maintenance .............                --            84,692             8,592            277,151
   Property management
     fees - affiliates ................                --            26,802                --             80,160
   Other property operating
     expenses .........................                --            46,315             1,494            109,447
   General and administrative .........             3,690            37,753            40,796             63,178
   General and administrative -
     affiliates .......................                --            18,114            (3,550)            51,742
                                               ----------        ----------        ----------         ----------
     Total expenses ...................             3,690           378,820            47,405          1,077,661
                                               ----------        ----------        ----------         ----------

Net income (loss) .....................        $    2,342        $  232,472        $  (32,844)        $  447,425
                                               ==========        ==========        ==========         ==========

Net income (loss) allocated
   to limited partners ................        $    2,342        $  110,186        $  (32,844)        $  325,139
Net income allocated
   to General Partner .................                --           122,286                --            122,286
                                               ----------        ----------        ----------         ----------

Net income (loss) .....................        $    2,342        $  232,472        $  (32,844)        $  447,425
                                               ==========        ==========        ==========         ==========

Net income (loss) per limited
   partnership unit ...................        $      .17        $     8.01        $    (2.39)        $    23.64
                                               ==========        ==========        ==========         ==========

</TABLE>




The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>

                       McNEIL PACIFIC INVESTORS FUND 1972
        (a California limited partnership in the process of liquidation)

                         STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' EQUITY
                                   (Unaudited)

              For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Total
                                             General          Limited             Partners'
                                             Partner          Partners             Equity
                                             ---------       ---------           -----------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>                 <C>        
Balance at December 31, 1996 .......        $   309,944        $ 4,509,477         $ 4,819,521

Net income .........................            122,286            325,139             447,425
                                            -----------        -----------         -----------

Balance at September 30, 1997 ......        $   432,230        $ 4,834,716         $ 5,266,946
                                            ===========        ===========         ===========


Balance at December 31, 1997........        $        --        $   414,319         $   414,319

Net loss ...........................                 --            (32,844)            (32,844)
                                            -----------        -----------         -----------

Balance at September 30, 1998 ......        $        --        $   381,475         $   381,475
                                            ===========        ===========         ===========
</TABLE>

















The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>

                       McNEIL PACIFIC INVESTORS FUND 1972
        (a California limited partnership in the process of liquidation)

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

                Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 Nine Months Ended
                                                                    September 30,
                                                          --------------------------------
                                                              1998                1997
                                                          ------------        ------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
<S>                                                       <C>                 <C>        
   Cash received from tenants ....................        $        --         $ 1,351,258
   Cash paid to suppliers ........................            (63,323)           (732,813)
   Cash paid to affiliates .......................             (1,573)           (135,738)
   Interest received .............................             14,561              24,143
   Interest paid .................................                 --            (143,624)
   Property taxes paid and escrowed ..............                 --            (176,879)
                                                          -----------         -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
   activities ....................................            (50,335)            186,347
                                                          -----------         -----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Additions to real estate investments ..........                 --             (69,821)
   Proceeds from sale of real estate .............                 --           6,611,715
                                                          -----------         -----------
Net cash provided by investing activities ........                 --           6,541,894
                                                          -----------         -----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Principal payments on mortgage notes
     payable .....................................                 --             (98,648)
   Retirement of mortgage note payable ...........                 --          (1,924,929)
                                                          -----------         -----------
Net cash used in financing activities ............                 --          (2,023,577)
                                                          -----------         -----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and
   cash equivalents ..............................            (50,335)          4,704,664

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
   of period .....................................            451,506             581,031
                                                          -----------         -----------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period........        $   401,171         $ 5,285,695
                                                          ===========         ===========
</TABLE>


The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
                       MCNEIL PACIFIC INVESTORS FUND 1972
        (a California limited partnership in the process of liquidation)

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

      Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Provided by (Used in)
                              Operating Activities

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                                      September 30,
                                                              ---------------------------
                                                                 1998              1997
                                                              ----------        ---------
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>      
Net income (loss) ....................................        $ (32,844)        $ 447,425
                                                              ---------         ---------

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
   to net cash provided by (used in) operating
   activities:
   Amortization of deferred borrowing costs ..........               --             4,327
   Gain on sale of real estate .......................               --          (151,141)
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Cash segregated for security deposits ...........               --            57,204
     Accounts receivable .............................               --             4,147
     Prepaid expenses and other assets ...............               --               852
     Escrow deposits .................................               --           (86,114)
     Accrued interest ................................               --           (14,755)
     Other accrued expenses ..........................          (12,368)          (13,681)
     Payable to affiliates - General Partner .........           (5,123)           (3,836)
     Security deposits and deferred rental
       revenue .......................................               --           (58,081)
                                                              ---------         ---------
       Total adjustments .............................          (17,491)         (124,078)
                                                              ---------         ---------

Net cash provided by (used in) operating
   activities ........................................        $ (50,335)        $ 186,347
                                                              =========         =========
</TABLE>







The  financial  information  included  herein has been  prepared  by  management
without audit by independent public accountants.

                 See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
                       McNEIL PACIFIC INVESTORS FUND 1972
        (a California limited partnership in the process of liquidation)

                          Notes To Financial Statements
                                   (Unaudited)

                               September 30, 1998


NOTE 1.
-------

McNeil Pacific Investors Fund 1972 (the  "Partnership") is a limited partnership
organized  under the laws of the State of California to invest in real property.
The general  partner of the Partnership is McNeil  Partners,  L.P. (the "General
Partner"), a Delaware limited partnership, an affiliate of Robert A. McNeil. The
principal place of business for the Partnership and the General Partner is 13760
Noel Road, Suite 600, LB70, Dallas, Texas 75240.

In the opinion of management,  the financial  statements reflect all adjustments
necessary for a fair  presentation of the Partnership's  financial  position and
results  of  operations.  All  adjustments  were of a normal  recurring  nature.
However, the results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1998,
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending
December 31, 1998.

At a meeting of the limited  partners on August 12, 1997,  the limited  partners
approved the sale of Palm Bay Apartments and the dissolution of the Partnership.
After the September 30, 1997 sale of Palm Bay  Apartments,  the General  Partner
commenced the  dissolution and  termination of the  Partnership.  The assets and
liabilities  in the  accompanying  statements  of net assets in  liquidation  at
September  30,  1998 and  December  31,  1997  are  valued  at  their  estimated
realizable  values  and  estimated   settlement   amounts,   respectively.   The
Partnership  is in  the  process  of  liquidating  its  assets,  satisfying  all
creditors and claims against the Partnership,  distributing its remaining assets
to its partners, and terminating its existence.

NOTE 2.
-------

The  financial  statements  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  financial
statements  contained in the  Partnership's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the
year  ended  December  31,  1997,  and the  notes  thereto,  as  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission,  which is available upon request by writing
to McNeil Pacific Investors Fund 1972, 13760 Noel Road, Suite 600, LB70, Dallas,
Texas 75240.

NOTE 3.
-------

The  Partnership  paid property  management fees equal to 6% of the gross rental
receipts of the Partnership's  property to McNeil Real Estate  Management,  Inc.
("McREMI"),  an  affiliate  of  the  General  Partner,  for  providing  property
management and leasing services for the Partnership's property.

The  Partnership  reimbursed  McREMI  for  its  costs,  including  overhead,  of
administering the Partnership's affairs.


<PAGE>
The General Partner is entitled to receive a partnership management fee equal to
9.5% of  distributions  of cash from  operations  when  distributable  cash from
operations is distributed  to the limited  partners.  No partnership  management
fees were  incurred or paid during the nine month  periods  ended  September 30,
1998 and 1997.

The General  Partner was entitled to receive a sales  commission as compensation
for selling Partnership property equal to the lesser of 4% of the sales price of
the  property  sold or the  customary  fee  charged by  independent  real estate
brokers in the area where the property was located.

The General  Partner was also entitled to a distribution  of cash from sales and
refinancings  and  cash  from  working  capital  reserves  equal to 9.5% of such
distributions.

Compensation and  reimbursements  accrued for the benefit of the General Partner
and its affiliates are as follows:

                                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                               September 30,
                                                       -------------------------
                                                           1998           1997
                                                       ----------      ---------

Property management fees - affiliates .........        $      --       $  80,160
Charged to gain on sale of real estate:
   Sales commission ...........................               --         137,000
Charged to general and administrative -
   affiliates:
   Partnership administration .................           (3,550)         51,742
                                                       ---------       ---------

                                                       $  (3,550)      $ 268,902
                                                       =========       =========
NOTE 4.
-------

On  September  30,  1997,  the  Partnership  sold  Palm  Bay  Apartments  to  an
unaffiliated purchaser for a cash sales price of $6,849,500.  Cash proceeds from
the transaction, as well as the gain on sale, are detailed below.

                                                 Gain on Sale      Cash Proceeds
                                                 ------------      -------------

Sales price .............................        $ 6,849,500        $ 6,849,500
Selling costs ...........................           (374,785)          (374,785)
Basis of real estate sold ...............         (6,323,574)
                                                 -----------

Gain on sale ............................        $   151,141
                                                 ===========        -----------

Proceeds from sale of real estate                                     6,474,715
Retirement of mortgage note .............                            (1,924,929)
                                                                    -----------

Net cash proceeds .......................                           $ 4,549,786
                                                                    ===========

<PAGE>
NOTE 5.
-------

James F.  Schofield,  Gerald C. Gillett,  Donna S. Gillett,  Jeffrey  Homburger,
Elizabeth Jung,  Robert Lewis, and Warren Heller et al. v. McNeil Partners L.P.,
McNeil Investors,  Inc., McNeil Real Estate Management,  Inc., Robert A. McNeil,
Carole J. McNeil,  McNeil Pacific  Investors Fund 1972, Ltd., McNeil Real Estate
Fund IX,  Ltd.,  McNeil Real  Estate  Fund X, Ltd.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund XI,
Ltd.,  McNeil  Real Estate Fund XII,  Ltd.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund XIV,  Ltd.,
McNeil Real Estate Fund XV, Ltd.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund XX, L.P., McNeil Real
Estate Fund XXI, L.P.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund XXII,  L.P.,  McNeil Real Estate
Fund XXIV,  L.P.,  McNeil Real Estate  Fund XXV,  L.P.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund
XXVI, L.P., and McNeil Real Estate Fund XXVII,  L.P., et al. - Superior Court of
the State of California for the County of Los Angeles,  Case No. BC133799 (Class
and Derivative Action Complaint).

The action involves  purported  class and derivative  actions brought by limited
partners of each of the fourteen limited partnerships that were named as nominal
defendants as listed above (the  "Partnerships").  Plaintiffs allege that McNeil
Investors, Inc., its affiliate McNeil Real Estate Management,  Inc. and three of
their senior officers and/or directors (collectively, the "Defendants") breached
their  fiduciary  duties and certain  obligations  under the respective  Amended
Partnership  Agreement.  Plaintiffs  allege that  Defendants  have rendered such
Units highly illiquid and  artificially  depressed the prices that are available
for Units on the resale market.  Plaintiffs also allege that Defendants  engaged
in a course of conduct to prevent the  acquisition  of Units by an  affiliate of
Carl  Icahn  by  disseminating  purportedly  false,  misleading  and  inadequate
information.  Plaintiffs  further allege that Defendants  acted to advance their
own personal  interests at the expense of the Partnerships'  public unit holders
by failing to sell Partnership  properties and failing to make  distributions to
unitholders.

On December 16, 1996, the Plaintiffs filed a consolidated and amended complaint.
Plaintiffs  are suing for breach of  fiduciary  duty,  breach of contract and an
accounting,  alleging,  among other things, that the management fees paid to the
McNeil affiliates over the last six years are excessive,  that these fees should
be reduced retroactively and that the respective Amended Partnership  Agreements
governing the Partnerships are invalid.

Defendants  filed a demurrer to the  consolidated  and amended  complaint  and a
motion to strike on February 14, 1997,  seeking to dismiss the  consolidated and
amended complaint in all respects.  A hearing on Defendant's demurrer and motion
to strike  was held on May 5,  1997.  The Court  granted  Defendants'  demurrer,
dismissing  the  consolidated  and  amended  complaint  with leave to amend.  On
October  31,  1997,  the  Plaintiffs  filed a second  consolidated  and  amended
complaint. The case was stayed pending settlement discussions.  A Stipulation of
Settlement dated September 15, 1998 has been signed by the parties.  Preliminary
Court  approval  was  received  on  October 6,  1998.  A hearing on final  Court
approval is scheduled for December 17, 1998.

Plaintiff's  counsel  intend  to seek an  order  awarding  attorney's  fees  and
reimbursements  of their  out-of-pocket  expenses.  The  amount of such award is
undeterminable  until  final  approval  is  received  from the  court.  Fees and
expenses shall be allocated amongst the Partnerships on a pro rata basis,  based
upon  tangible  asset value of each such  partnership,  less total  liabilities,
calculated in accordance with the Amended Partnership Agreements for the quarter
most recently ended.
<PAGE>
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
-------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
         ---------------------

FINANCIAL CONDITION
-------------------

On September 30, 1997, the Partnership sold its last real estate asset, Palm Bay
Apartments.  Proceeds from the sale were distributed to the partners in December
1997. The Partnership's sole remaining asset consists of its $401,171 balance of
cash and cash equivalents.  At September 30, 1998, the Partnership's liabilities
consist of $19,696 of accrued  expenses,  $12,362 of which are due to affiliates
of the General Partner.

The  Partnership  remains subject to litigation as discussed in Part II, Item 1,
Legal  Proceedings.  The  General  Partner  intends  to  use  the  Partnership's
remaining funds for the payment of costs  associated with the litigation.  After
the  litigation is either  adjudicated or otherwise  settled,  and all legal and
other costs have been provided for, remaining Partnership funds, if any, will be
distributed to the partners.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
---------------------

Results of operations for the first three quarters of 1998 are not comparable to
results  reported  for the first three  quarters of 1997 due to the sale of Palm
Bay  Apartments,  and the  subsequent  distribution  of  sales  proceeds  to the
partners.

Revenues:

Revenues for the first nine months of 1998 consist solely of $14,561 of interest
earned on the Partnership's funds invested in money market accounts.

Expenses:

Partnership  expenses  include $10,159 of expenses related to operations at Palm
Bay Apartments, all of which were incurred during the first quarter of 1998. The
Partnership  believes  that all  expenses  arising from  operations  at Palm Bay
Apartments are accrued or have been paid.

General and  administrative  expenses  decreased $22,382 or 35% over general and
administrative expenses incurred during 1997. The Partnership continues to incur
costs  related  to the  litigation  discussed  below.  However,  the  amount  of
litigation-related  costs  decreased  for both the three  month  and nine  month
periods ended September 30, 1998, as compared to the same periods of 1997.

General and administrative expenses paid to affiliates for the first nine months
of 1998  reflects  a $3,550  credit  or  refund  from  affiliates.  General  and
administrative  expenses  for  1997  exceeded  the  limit  equal  to 2%  of  the
Partnership's   assets  established  by  the  Amended   Partnership   Agreement.
Consequently,  in the first  quarter of 1998 the  Partnership  received a refund
from an affiliate.





<PAGE>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
-------------------------------

At  September  30,  1998,  the  Partnership  held  $401,171  of  cash  and  cash
equivalents.  The Partnership owns no other assets.  The Partnership  intends to
use its remaining funds to pay the accrued expenses owed by the Partnership,  in
the amount of $19,696 as of September 30, 1998,  to pay all  remaining  expenses
connected with the termination of the Partnership,  and to provide a contingency
reserve  to pay all costs  associated  with  ongoing  litigation  involving  the
Partnership  as a defendant.  After all expenses have been provided for, and the
litigation is resolved through either adjudication or settlement,  all remaining
Partnership  funds will be distributed to the partners in accordance  with terms
of the Partnership Agreement.  The General Partner considers the current balance
of cash and cash equivalents adequate for all of these purposes.

Distributions:

In December 1997, the Partnership  distributed $4,772,400 to its partners.  This
distribution  includes $4,549,786 of net cash proceeds from the sale of Palm Bay
Apartments,   as  well  as  $222,614  of  cash  reserves  of  the   Partnership.
Distribution of the remaining cash reserves of the Partnership will be made from
any remaining funds of the Partnership  after all liabilities of the Partnership
have been paid,  including costs associated with  terminating the  Partnership's
affairs,  and costs associated with adjudicating or settling litigation in which
the Partnership is involved.

Forward-Looking Information:

Within this document,  certain  statements  are made as to expected  Partnership
developments,  including the ultimate termination of the Partnership's business,
satisfaction  of the  Partnership's  creditors,  and  distributions  to  limited
partners.  All of these statements are forward-looking  statements made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These  statements are not historical and involve risks and  uncertainties.
The Partnership's  actual financial condition,  results of operations,  and cash
flows for future  periods may differ  materially due to several  factors.  These
factors include,  but are not limited to, the outcome of litigation in which the
Partnership is a defendant.

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
-------  -----------------

James F.  Schofield,  Gerald C. Gillett,  Donna S. Gillett,  Jeffrey  Homburger,
Elizabeth Jung,  Robert Lewis, and Warren Heller et al. v. McNeil Partners L.P.,
McNeil Investors,  Inc., McNeil Real Estate Management,  Inc., Robert A. McNeil,
Carole J. McNeil,  McNeil Pacific  Investors Fund 1972, Ltd., McNeil Real Estate
Fund IX,  Ltd.,  McNeil Real  Estate  Fund X, Ltd.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund XI,
Ltd.,  McNeil  Real Estate Fund XII,  Ltd.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund XIV,  Ltd.,
McNeil Real Estate Fund XV, Ltd.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund XX, L.P., McNeil Real
Estate Fund XXI, L.P.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund XXII,  L.P.,  McNeil Real Estate
Fund XXIV,  L.P.,  McNeil Real Estate  Fund XXV,  L.P.,  McNeil Real Estate Fund
XXVI, L.P., and McNeil Real Estate Fund XXVII,  L.P., et al. - Superior Court of
the State of California for the County of Los Angeles,  Case No. BC133799 (Class
and Derivative Action Complaint).


<PAGE>
The action involves  purported  class and derivative  actions brought by limited
partners of each of the fourteen limited partnerships that were named as nominal
defendants as listed above (the  "Partnerships").  Plaintiffs allege that McNeil
Investors, Inc., its affiliate McNeil Real Estate Management,  Inc. and three of
their senior officers and/or directors (collectively, the "Defendants") breached
their  fiduciary  duties and certain  obligations  under the respective  Amended
Partnership  Agreement.  Plaintiffs  allege that  Defendants  have rendered such
Units highly illiquid and  artificially  depressed the prices that are available
for Units on the resale market.  Plaintiffs also allege that Defendants  engaged
in a course of conduct to prevent the  acquisition  of Units by an  affiliate of
Carl  Icahn  by  disseminating  purportedly  false,  misleading  and  inadequate
information.  Plaintiffs  further allege that Defendants  acted to advance their
own personal  interests at the expense of the Partnerships'  public unit holders
by failing to sell Partnership  properties and failing to make  distributions to
unitholders.

On December 16, 1996, the Plaintiffs filed a consolidated and amended complaint.
Plaintiffs  are suing for breach of  fiduciary  duty,  breach of contract and an
accounting,  alleging,  among other things, that the management fees paid to the
McNeil affiliates over the last six years are excessive,  that these fees should
be reduced retroactively and that the respective Amended Partnership  Agreements
governing the Partnerships are invalid.

Defendants  filed a demurrer to the  consolidated  and amended  complaint  and a
motion to strike on February 14, 1997,  seeking to dismiss the  consolidated and
amended complaint in all respects.  A hearing on Defendant's demurrer and motion
to strike  was held on May 5,  1997.  The Court  granted  Defendants'  demurrer,
dismissing  the  consolidated  and  amended  complaint  with leave to amend.  On
October  31,  1997,  the  Plaintiffs  filed a second  consolidated  and  amended
complaint. The case was stayed pending settlement discussions.  A Stipulation of
Settlement dated September 15, 1998 has been signed by the parties.  Preliminary
Court  approval  was  received  on  October 6,  1998.  A hearing on final  Court
approval is scheduled for December 17, 1998.

Plaintiff's  counsel  intend  to seek an  order  awarding  attorney's  fees  and
reimbursements  of their  out-of-pocket  expenses.  The  amount of such award is
undeterminable  until  final  approval  is  received  from the  court.  Fees and
expenses shall be allocated amongst the Partnerships on a pro rata basis,  based
upon  tangible  asset value of each such  partnership,  less total  liabilities,
calculated in accordance with the Amended Partnership Agreements for the quarter
most recently ended.


<PAGE>

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
-------  ---------------------------------

(a)      Exhibits.

         Exhibit
         Number                     Description
         -------                    -----------

         3.                         Restated   Certificate  and   Agreement   of
                                    Limited   Partnership  dated   of   March 8,
                                    1972. (1)

         4.                         Amendment to Restated Certificate and Agree-
                                    ment  of   Limited  Partnership  dated March
                                    30, 1992. (2)

         11.                        Statement   regarding   computation  of  net
                                    income per  limited  partnership  unit:  Net
                                    income  per  limited   partnership  unit  is
                                    computed by dividing net income allocated to
                                    the  limited   partners  by  the  number  of
                                    limited  partnership units outstanding.  Per
                                    unit  information has been computed based on
                                    13,752.5    limited     partnership    units
                                    outstanding in 1998 and 1997.

         27.                        Financial  Data   Schedule  for  the quarter
                                    ended September 30, 1998.

      (1)   Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report of Registrant on Form
            10-K for the period ended  December 31, 1990,  as filed on March 29,
            1991.

      (2)   Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
            the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on April
            10, 1992.

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K. There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the
         quarter ended September 30, 1998.


<PAGE>
                       McNEIL PACIFIC INVESTORS FUND 1972
        (a California limited partnership in the process of liquidation)

                                   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:


                               McNEIL PACIFIC INVESTORS FUND 1972

                               By:  McNeil Partners, L.P., General Partner

                                    By: McNeil Investors, Inc., General Partner





November 16, 1998                   By: /s/  Ron K. Taylor
-----------------                      -----------------------------------------
Date                                    Ron K. Taylor
                                        President and Director of McNeil 
                                          Investors, Inc.
                                        (Principal Financial Officer)





November 16, 1998                   By: /s/  Brandon K. Flaming
-----------------                      -----------------------------------------
Date                                    Brandon K. Flaming
                                        Vice President of McNeil Investors, Inc.
                                        (Principal Accounting Officer)