February 12, 1997




Securities and Exchange Commission
Filer Support, Edgar
Operation Center, Stop 0-7
6432 General Green Way
Alexandria, VA  22312


    Re:     Boston Financial Tax Credit Fund VIII, A Limited Partnership
            Report on Form 10-Q Edgar for Quarter Ended December 31, 1996
            File No. 0-26522



Dear Sir/Madam:

Pursuant to the  requirements of Rule 901(d) of Regulation S-T,  enclosed is one
copy of subject report.


Very truly yours,





/s/Veronica J. Curioso
Veronica J. Curioso
Assistant Controller



TC8-10Q3.DOC



<PAGE>


                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended        December 31, 1996
                              -------------------------------------

                                       OR

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


For the transition period from                    to

For Quarter Ended  December 31, 1996     Commission file number       0-26522
                  ----------------------                        --------------

            Boston  Financial  Tax Credit Fund VIII, A Limited Partnership 
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


      Massachusetts                                      04-3205879
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)


101 Arch Street, Boston, Massachusetts                       02110-1106
(Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code         (617) 439-3911
                                                          -----------------

        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 X No .


<PAGE>


                BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS




PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                         Page No.
------------------------------                                         --------

Item 1.  Financial Statements

         Balance Sheets - December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
            and March 31, 1996                                              1

         Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - For the Three and Nine
            Months Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995                         2

         Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity (Deficiency)
            (Unaudited) - For the Nine Months Ended December 31, 1996       3

         Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - For the Nine
            Months Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995                         4

         Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)                          5

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations                                8

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Items 1-6                                                                   10

SIGNATURE                                                                   11



<PAGE>
                BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                                                         
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                 December 31,                March 31,
                                                                     1996                      1996
                                                                  (Unaudited)
<S>                                                            <C>                       <C>    

Assets
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                 $     426,097             $       71,715
     Other current assets                                             19,258                     33,038
                                                               -------------             --------------
         Total current assets                                        445,355                    104,753

Investments in Local Limited Partnerships (Note 2)                27,621,713                 26,064,146
Restricted cash                                                      495,389                  1,369,364
Marketable securities, at fair value (Note 1)                      1,359,721                  3,709,881
Organization costs, net of accumulated
   amortization of $28,333 and $20,833
   as of December 31 and March 31, 1996, respectively                 21,667                     29,167
                                                               -------------             --------------
         Total Assets                                          $  29,943,845             $   31,277,311
                                                               =============             ==============

Liabilities and Partners' Equity
Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable to affiliate                             $     137,420             $       81,501
     Accrued expenses                                                 28,734                     20,858
                                                               -------------             --------------
         Total current liabilities                                   166,154                    102,359
                                                               -------------             --------------


General, Initial and Investor Limited Partners' Equity            29,786,794                 31,175,486
Net unrealized losses on marketable securities                        (9,103)                      (534)
                                                               -------------             --------------
         Total Partners' Equity                                   29,777,691                 31,174,952
                                                               -------------             --------------
         Total Liabilities and Partners' Equity                $  29,943,845             $   31,277,311
                                                               =============             ==============
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
<PAGE>
                BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)

               For the Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             Three Months Ended                          Nine Months Ended
                                     December 31,          December 31,          December 31,         December 31,
                                         1996                  1995                  1996                 1995
                                   -----------------      ----------------      ----------------     ----------------
<S>                                  <C>                    <C>                 <C>                     <C> 

Revenue:
   Investment                        $    (1,407)           $  108,030           $      40,245          $  395,394
   Other                                  19,011                   590                  17,142              83,923
                                     -----------            ----------           -------------          ----------
     Total Revenue                        17,604               108,620                  57,387             479,317
                                     -----------            ----------           -------------          ----------

Expenses:
   Asset management fees,
     related party                        48,024                46,853                 144,026             140,559
   General and administrative
     expenses (includes
     reimbursements to an affiliate
     in the amounts of $76,868
     and $77,992 in 1996 and
     1995, respectively)                  29,776                42,754                 139,015             138,631
   Amortization                            7,974                 6,785                  23,928              17,597
                                     -----------            ----------           -------------          ----------
       Total Expenses                     85,774                96,392                 306,969             296,787
                                     -----------            ----------           -------------          ----------

Income (loss) before equity in losses
   of Local Limited Partnerships         (68,170)               12,228                (249,582)            182,530

Equity in losses of Local
   Limited Partnerships                 (292,406)              (44,132)             (1,139,110)           (158,295)
                                     ------------           ----------           -------------          -----------

Net Income (Loss)                    $  (360,576)           $  (31,904)          $  (1,388,692)         $   24,235
                                     ===========            ==========           =============          ==========

Net Income (Loss) allocated:
   To General Partners               $    (3,606)           $     (320)          $     (13,887)         $      241
   To Limited Partners                  (356,970)              (31,584)             (1,374,805)             23,994
                                     -----------            ----------           -------------          ----------
                                     $  (360,576)           $  (31,904)          $  (1,388,692)         $   24,235
                                     ===========            ==========           =============          ==========

Net Income (Loss) per Limited
   Partnership Unit (36,497 Units)      $  (9.79)             $  (0.86)              $  (37.67)            $   0.66
                                        ========              ========               =========             ========

</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
<PAGE>
                BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

              STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
                                   (Unaudited)

                   For the Nine Months Ended December 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                    Initial        Investor          Net
                                    General         Limited         Limited      Unrealized
                                    Partners       Partners        Partners        Losses          Total

<S>                              <C>               <C>          <C>               <C>          <C>       

Balance at March 31, 1996        $     (4,592)     $     100    $ 31,179,978      $   (534)    $ 31,174,952

Net change in net unrealized
   losses on marketable securities
   available for sale                       -              -               -        (8,569)          (8,569)

Net Loss                              (13,887)             -      (1,374,805)            -       (1,388,692)
                                 -------------     ---------    ------------      --------     ------------

Balance at December 31, 1996     $    (18,479)     $     100    $ 29,805,173      $ (9,103)    $ 29,777,691
                                 ============      =========    ============      ========     ============
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
<PAGE>
                BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

              For the Nine Months Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                              1996                      1995
                                                                         --------------            ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>                       <C>  

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities                     $    (239,457)            $     131,254
                                                                         --------------            -------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Investment in Local Limited Partnerships                                 (2,716,626)               (6,326,528)
   Restricted Cash                                                             873,975                         -
   Cash distributions received from Local Limited Partnerships                   4,409                         -
   Purchases of marketable securities                                       (3,953,712)               (2,479,005)
   Proceeds from sales and maturities of
     marketable securities                                                   6,386,681                 2,614,887
   Payment of acquisition expenses                                                (888)                 (120,672)
                                                                         -------------             -------------
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities                           593,839                (6,311,318)
                                                                         -------------             -------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Refund of other issuance expenses                                                 -                     5,832
                                                                         -------------             -------------
Net cash provided by financing activities                                            -                     5,832
                                                                         -------------             -------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                           354,382                (6,174,232)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                  71,715                10,495,010
                                                                         -------------             -------------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                 $     426,097             $   4,320,778
                                                                         =============             =============


</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>



              BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                          Notes to Financial Statements
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                       
The  unaudited  financial  statements  presented  herein  have been  prepared in
accordance  with the  instructions  to Form 10-Q and do not  include  all of the
information  and note  disclosures  required by  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.  These  statements  should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and notes thereto included with the  Partnership's  10-K for the year
ended March 31, 1996. In the opinion of management,  these financial  statements
include  all  adjustments,  consisting  only of  normal  recurring  adjustments,
necessary to present fairly the Partnership's  financial position and results of
operations.  The results of operations  for the periods may not be indicative of
the results to be expected for the year. Certain amounts in prior year financial
statements   have  been   reclassified   herein  to  conform  to  current   year
presentation.


1.   Marketable Securities

A summary of marketable securities is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Gross                 Gross
                                                           Unrealized             Unrealized            Fair
                                           Cost               Gains                 Losses              Value
<S>                                    <C>                   <C>                  <C>              <C>

Debt securities issued by the
   US Treasury                         $  1,138,021          $    367             $   (5,692)      $  1,132,696

Mortgage backed securities                  230,803                 -                 (3,778)           227,025
                                       ------------          --------             -----------      ------------

Marketable securities
   at December 31, 1996                $  1,368,824          $    367             $   (9,470)      $  1,359,721
                                       ============          ========             ===========      ============


Debt securities issued by the
   US Treasury                         $  1,465,038          $    195             $   (2,839)      $  1,462,394

Other debt securities                     2,245,377             2,500                   (390)         2,247,487
                                       ------------          --------             ----------       ------------

Marketable securities
   at March 31, 1996                   $  3,710,415          $  2,695             $   (3,229)      $  3,709,881
                                       ============          ========             ==========       ============

</TABLE>

The contractual maturities at December 31, 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Fair
                                                                       Cost             Value
<S>                                                               <C>               <C>

Due in one year or less                                           $    199,664      $    200,031
Due in one year to five years                                          938,357           932,665
Mortgage backed securities                                             230,803           227,025
                                                                  ------------      ------------
                                                                  $  1,368,824      $  1,359,721
                                                                  ============      ============
</TABLE>


Actual maturities may differ from contractual  maturities because some borrowers
have the right to call or prepay  obligations.  Proceeds from the sales of fixed
maturity  securities were  approximately  $6,387,000 and $2,615,000 for the nine
months ended  December 31, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  Included in investment
income are gross gains of $93,253 and $41,560 for the nine months ended December
31, 1996 and 1995, respectively,  and gross losses of $1,875 for the nine months
ended December 31, 1996.



<PAGE>

             BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                          Notes to Financial Statements
                             (Unaudited) (continued)

2.   Investments in Local Limited Partnerships

The Fund has acquired an interest in ten Local  Limited  Partnerships  which own
and operate  multi-family  housing  complexes.  The Fund,  as  Investor  Limited
Partner,  pursuant to the Local Limited  Partnership  Agreements,  has generally
acquired a 99% interest in the profits,  losses, tax credits and cash flows from
operations of the Local Limited Partnerships,  with the exception of Springwood,
Hemlock Ridge and West End Place, which are 79.20%,  77% and 90%,  respectively.
An affiliate of the General  Partner owns the remaining  19.80% Limited  Partner
interest in Springwood. Upon dissolution, proceeds will be distributed according
to the partnership agreements.

The  following is a summary of  Investments  in Local  Limited  Partnerships  at
December 31, 1996 (unaudited):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                            <C>

Capital Contributions paid to Local Limited
   Partnerships                                                                                $  28,813,499

Cumulative equity in losses of Local Limited Partnerships                                         (2,181,818)

Cumulative cash distributions received from Local
   Limited Partnerships                                                                              (17,732)
                                                                                                 ------------ 

Investment in Local Limited Partnerships before adjustments                                       26,613,949

Excess of investment cost over the underlying net assets acquired:

   Acquisition fees and expenses                                                                   1,048,010

   Accumulated amortization of acquisition fees and expenses                                         (40,246)
                                                                                               --------------

Investments in Local Limited Partnerships                                                      $  27,621,713
                                                                                               =============
</TABLE>


Summarized  financial  information  as of September  30, 1996 (due to the Fund's
policy of reporting the financial  information of its Local Limited  Partnership
interests on a 90 day lag basis) of the ten Local Limited  Partnerships in which
the Fund has invested as of that date is as follows:

Summarized Balance Sheets - September 30, 1996 (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                            <C> 

Assets:
   Investment property, net                                                                    $  70,452,548
   Current assets                                                                                  2,775,805
   Other assets                                                                                    2,732,102
                                                                                               -------------
     Total Assets                                                                              $  75,960,455
                                                                                               =============

Liabilities and Partners' Equity:
   Long-term debt                                                                              $  38,705,939
   Current liabilities                                                                             3,974,938
   Other liabilities                                                                               5,428,255
                                                                                               -------------
     Total Liabilities                                                                            48,109,132

   Partners' Equity                                                                               27,851,323
                                                                                               -------------
     Total Liabilities and Partners' Equity                                                    $  75,960,455
                                                                                               =============
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
                BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


2.   Investments in Local Limited Partnerships (continued)

Summarized Income Statements (Unaudited) - For
the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                            <C>

Rental and other revenue                                                                       $   5,687,666
                                                                                               -------------

Expenses:
   Operating                                                                                       2,711,930
   Interest                                                                                        2,328,235
   Depreciation and amortization                                                                   1,868,667
                                                                                               -------------
     Total Expenses                                                                                6,908,832

Net Loss                                                                                       $  (1,221,166)
                                                                                               =============

Partnership's share of net loss                                                                $  (1,139,110)
                                                                                               =============
Other Partners' share of net loss                                                              $     (82,056)
                                                                                               =============
</TABLE>





<PAGE>


           BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December  31,  1996,  the Fund had cash and cash  equivalents  of $426,097 as
compared to $71,715 at March 31, 1996.  This increase is primarily  attributable
to  proceeds  from the sale of  marketable  securities,  offset by cash paid for
investments in Local Limited  Partnerships,  purchase of marketable  securities,
and net cash used for operations.

The Fund had  restricted  cash of $495,389  at December  31, 1996 as compared to
$1,369,364   at  March  31,  1996.   The  decrease  is  the  result  of  capital
contributions  made to one  Local  Limited  Partnership  in  which  the Fund has
invested.

As of December 31, 1996,  approximately  $1,620,000 of marketable securities and
cash and cash  equivalents  have been  designated as Reserves.  The Reserves are
established to be used for working capital of the Fund and contingencies related
to the ownership of Local Limited  Partnership  interests.  Management  believes
that the  interest  income  earned on  Reserves,  along with cash  distributions
received  from Local  Limited  Partnerships,  to the extent  available,  will be
sufficient to fund the Fund's ongoing  operations.  Reserves may be used to fund
operating deficits if the Managing General Partner deems funding appropriate.

Since the Fund invests as a limited partner, the Fund has no contractual duty to
provide  additional  funds to Local  Limited  Partnerships  beyond its specified
investment.  Thus, as of December 31, 1996, the Fund had no contractual or other
obligation to any Local Limited Partnership, which had not been paid or provided
for, except as disclosed above.

In the  event a Local  Limited  Partnership  encounters  operating  difficulties
requiring  additional  funds,  the Fund  might deem it in its best  interest  to
voluntarily provide such funds in order to protect its investment. No such event
has occurred to date.

Cash Distributions

No cash distributions were made during the nine months ended December 31, 1996.

Results of Operations

1996 versus 1995

For the three and nine months ended  December 31,  1996,  the Fund's  operations
resulted in net losses of $360,576 and $1,388,692,  respectively, as compared to
a net loss of $31,904  and net income of $24,235  for the three and nine  months
ended December 31, 1995, respectively.  The increase to the net loss position is
primarily  attributable  to an  increase  in equity  in losses of Local  Limited
Partnerships and a decrease in investment income.

The increase in equity in losses of Local Limited Partnerships for the three and
nine months ended December 31, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, is
primarily attributable to an increase in the number of operational Local Limited
Partnerships   during  those  periods.   Since  certain  properties  were  under
construction  during the nine months ended  December  31,  1995,  the results of
operations were not indicative of the results to be expected for the future, nor
are they comparable to the 1996 period. The decline in investment income for the
three and nine month periods is due primarily to lower average cash balances, as
a result of the Fund's investment in Local Limited Partnerships.


<PAGE>
                BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Property Discussions

The Fund is invested in ten Local Limited  Partnerships which own ten properties
located in eight  states.  Two  properties,  representing  356 units,  underwent
rehabilitation,   and  eight  properties,   representing  1001  units,  are  new
construction.  All of the ten properties are complete,  through initial lease-up
and operating satisfactorily.


<PAGE>
                BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP




PART II       OTHER INFORMATION

Items 1-5     Not applicable

Item 6        Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K

                (a)  Exhibits - None

                (b)  Reports  on Form 8-K - No  reports  on Form 8-K were  filed
                     during the quarter ended December 31, 1996.


<PAGE>
                BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP



                                    SIGNATURE


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.


DATED:  February 12, 1997           BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII,
                                    A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                                    By:   Arch Street VIII Limited Partnership,
                                          its General Partner




                                          /s/Georgia Murray
                                          Georgia Murray
                                          A Managing Director, Treasurer
                                          and Chief Financial Officer




<PAGE>