ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
10-K, 1997-03-28
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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                                    Form 10-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                   |X|    Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                          Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (fee required)

                          For the year ended December 31, 1996

                                       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 0-16843


          ATEL Cash Distribution Fund, a California Limited Partnership

             California                                        94-2985201
    (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)

           235 Pine Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (415) 989-8800

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Limited Partnership
                                      Units

Indicate  by a 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 |_|

State the aggregate market value of voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of the
registrant: Inapplicable.
                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
                                      None

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K (229.405) is not contained herein,  and will not be contained,
to the best of  registrant's  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information
statements  incorporated  by  reference  in Part  III of this  Form  10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. |X|

<PAGE>

                                     PART I


Item 1.  BUSINESS

General Development of Business

ATEL Cash Distribution Fund, a California limited partnership (the Partnership),
was formed under the laws of the State of California  on November 29, 1985.  The
Partnership  was formed  for the  purpose of  acquiring  equipment  to engage in
equipment leasing and sales activities.

In a public  offering of 15,000 units of Limited  Partnership  interest  (Units)
(which was increased to 20,000 Units at the option of the General Partners),  at
a price of $500 per Unit, the Partnership  sold an aggregate of 20,000 Units for
a total  capitalization of $10,000,000.  Of the proceeds received,  $950,000 was
paid to ATEL Securities Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of ATEL Financial
Corporation  (ATEL),  the  corporate  general  partner,  as  sales  commissions,
$550,000  was  paid  to  ATEL  as   reimbursements  of  organization  and  other
syndication costs and $8,250,000 was used to acquire leased equipment, including
acquisition fees paid to ATEL. An additional  $250,000 was held for reserves for
repurchases  of Units and for working  capital.  The  offering  was closed as of
December 18, 1987.

At December 31, 1996, the Partnership's  cash balances  ($205,418)  consisted of
amounts held for  distribution to the Limited Partners in January 1997 ($55,900)
and working capital reserves.


Narrative Description of Business

The  Partnership  has  acquired  various  types of  equipment  and  leased  such
equipment  pursuant  to  "Operating"  leases  and "Full  Payout"  leases,  where
"Operating"  leases  are  defined  as being  leases in which the  minimum  lease
payments  during  the  initial  lease term do not  recover  the full cost of the
equipment and "Full Payout" leases recover such cost.

The Partnership would only enter into leases with (i) companies that have credit
ratings of not less than Baa as determined by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. or
comparable  credit ratings as determined by other nationally  recognized  credit
rating services (which represent  approximately 26% of the purchase price of the
portfolio as of December 31, 1996), (ii) companies which,  although not rated by
nationally  recognized  credit  rating  services,  are  believed  by the General
Partners to have  comparable  creditworthiness  (33% at December 31,  1996),  or
(iii) under circumstances where, as a result of collateral given,  deposits made
or other security provided,  the credit risk to the Partnership is deemed by the
General  Partners to be equivalent to at least a Baa rating (40% at December 31,
1996).

One  lessee  in  the  food  processing   industry   accounted  for  50%  of  the
Partnership's  lease  revenues  during  1996.  As  of  December  31,  1996,  the
Partnership  had acquired  equipment  manufactured  by Caterpillar  with a total
acquisition cost of $2,328,249,  representing  20.9% of the total  acquisitions.
There is a ready market for the equipment and there are numerous companies which
service  these  types of  equipment.  No adverse  consequences  are  anticipated
because of this  concentration in equipment  manufactured by one company.  As of
December 31, 1996, food processing  equipment on lease to WSMP, Inc.  represents
67% of the  Partnership's  total net lease assets.  WSMP, Inc. is not affiliated
with the Partnership or its General  Partners.  Due to the collateral given, the
General  Partners do not  consider  that a default  under the lease would have a
significant adverse effect on the Partnership. <PAGE>

The equipment leasing industry is highly competitive.  Equipment  manufacturers,
corporations, partnerships and others offer users an alternative to the purchase
of most types of equipment with payment terms which vary widely depending on the
lease term and type of  equipment.  The ability of the  Partnership  to keep the
equipment leased and/or operating and the terms of the acquisitions,  leases and
dispositions  of equipment  depend on various  factors (many of which are not in
the  control  of the  General  Partners  or the  Partnership),  such as  general
economic  conditions,  including  the effects of  inflation  or  recession,  and
fluctuations in supply and demand for various types of equipment resulting from,
among other things, technological and economic obsolescence.

The business of the Partnership is not seasonal.

The Partnership has no full time employees.

Equipment Dispositions:

Through  December 31, 1996, the Partnership has disposed of certain lease assets
as set forth below:


                                                                       Excess of
                                       Acquisition       Sales        Rents Over
Asset Type                                 Cost          Price        Expenses *
- ----------                                 ----          -----        ----------
Material Handling                       $2,590,452      $671,322     $2,632,587
Transportation                           1,456,876       957,000      1,377,074
Other                                    1,579,698       990,617        922,018
Communications                             845,305        48,318        828,345
Medical                                    899,672        99,000        996,499
Data processing                            743,578        83,527        855,547
Motor Vehicles                             279,455        84,086        310,452
Furniture & fixtures                       247,000       147,148        167,876
Mining                                     194,887        70,000        257,059
                                    --------------- -------------  -------------
                                        $8,836,923    $3,151,018     $8,347,457
                                    =============== =============  =============

* Includes only those expenses directly related to the production of the related
rents.

Equipment Leasing Activities:

The Partnership has acquired a diversified portfolio of equipment. The equipment
has been leased to lessees in various industries. The following tables set forth
the types of equipment acquired by the Partnership through December 31, 1996 and
the industries to which the assets have been leased.

                      Purchase price excluding               Percentage of total
       Asset types        acquisition fees                         acquisitions
       -----------        ----------------                        ------------
Materials handling            $3,061,707                                 27.50%
Medical                        1,518,245                                 13.64%
Transportation                 1,200,000                                 10.78%
Manufacturing                  1,038,478                                  9.33%
Studio and broadcasting          909,735                                  8.17%
Communications                   835,563                                  7.50%
Printing                         721,266                                  6.48%
Motor vehicles                   545,148                                  4.90%
Data processing                  489,039                                  4.39%
Mining                           358,710                                  3.22%
Food processing                  208,787                                  1.88%
Furniture and fixtures           247,000                                  2.21%
                          ---------------                         -------------
                             $11,133,678                                100.00%
                          ===============                         =============
<PAGE>



                         Purchase price excluding            Percentage of total
    Industry of lessee       acquisition fees                       acquisitions
    ------------------       ----------------                       ------------
Manufacturing, other             $3,427,773                              30.79%
Forest products                   1,653,596                              14.85%
Medical                           1,518,245                              13.64%
Manufacturing, chemicals          1,417,908                              12.74%
Communications                      909,735                               8.17%
Printing                            721,266                               6.48%
Manufacturing, automobiles          622,632                               5.59%
Food processing                     526,287                               4.73%
Retail food sales                   247,000                               2.22%
Insurance                            89,236                               0.79%
                             ---------------                      =============
                                $11,133,678                             100.00%
                             ===============                      =============

For further information regarding the Partnership's equipment lease portfolio as
of December 31, 1996,  see Note 3 to the  financial  statements,  Investment  in
equipment  and  leases,   set  forth  in  Item  8,   Financial   Statements  and
Supplementary Data.


Item 2.  PROPERTIES

The  Partnership  does not own or lease any real  property,  plant or materially
important  physical  properties other than equipment held for lease as set forth
in Item 1.


Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Inapplicable


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

Inapplicable


                                     PART II


Item 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S LIMITED PARTNERSHIP UNITS
         AND RELATED MATTERS

Market Information

The Units are transferable  subject to restrictions on transfers which have been
imposed  under  the  securities  laws of  certain  states  and  the  Partnership
Agreement.  However,  as  a  result  of  such  restrictions,  the  size  of  the
Partnership and its investment  objectives,  to the General Partners' knowledge,
no established  public secondary trading market has developed and it is unlikely
that a public trading market will develop in the future.

Holders

As of December 31, 1996, a total of 1031  investors were record holders of Units
in the Partnership.
<PAGE>
Dividends

The Limited Partners of the Partnership are entitled to certain distributions as
provided under the Limited Partnership Agreement.

The  General  Partners  have  sole  discretion  in  determining  the  amount  of
distributions.  However,  since the reinvestment period ended December 31, 1994,
the  General  Partners  are  required to  distribute,  subject to payment of any
obligations of the  Partnership,  such  available cash from  operations and cash
from sales or refinancing.

The rates for  distributions to Limited Partners in April, July and October 1996
and in January 1997 were $2.50, each, per Unit (a total of $10.00 per Unit). All
distributions  were made from cash flows from  operations  and sales proceeds in
1996.

The rates for  distributions to Limited Partners in April, July and October 1995
and in January 1996 were $3.43, $6.07, $2.50 and $3.05,  respectively,  per Unit
(a total of $15.05 per Unit). All  distributions  were made from cash flows from
operations and sales proceeds in 1995.

The rates for  distributions to Limited Partners in April, July and October 1994
and in January 1995 were $15.00,  $15.00,  $10.00 and $9.76,  respectively,  per
Unit (a total of $49.76 per Unit). All  distributions  were made from cash flows
from operations and sales proceeds in 1994.

The following table presents summarized  information regarding  distributions to
Limited Partners:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1996           1995           1994           1993          1992
                                                       ----           ----           ----           ----          ----
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Distributions of net income                                $5.04        $15.41         $14.11         $12.09          $7.15
Return of investment                                        6.78          8.97          47.48          59.26          79.67
                                                  --------------- -------------  -------------  ------------- --------------
Distributions per unit                                     11.82         24.38          61.59          71.35          86.82
Differences due to timing of distributions
   and due to distribution reinvestments                   (1.82)        (9.33)        (11.83)        (18.11)          2.30
                                                  --------------- -------------  -------------  ------------- --------------
Nominal distribution rates from above                     $10.00        $15.05         $49.76         $53.24         $89.12
                                                  =============== =============  =============  ============= ==============
</TABLE>

In 1992, 1993 and 1994, cash flows and  distributions  to Limited  Partners were
not sufficient to allow the Partnership to reinvest in additional equipment. The
reinvestment  period ended December 31, 1994 in accordance with the terms of the
Limited Partnership Agreement.

Effective April 1, 1993, the capital  accumulation  period was terminated by the
General Partners.



<PAGE>

Item 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents selected  financial data of the Partnership for the
years ended December 31, 1996,  1995,  1994,  1993 and 1992. This financial data
should be read in  conjunction  with the  financial  statements  and the related
notes included under Item 8 of this report.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1996           1995           1994           1993          1992
                                                       ----           ----           ----           ----          ----
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
Gross Revenues                                          $208,860      $389,278       $484,383       $904,941     $1,426,305

Net Income                                              $101,543      $310,695       $284,567       $243,968       $144,226

Weighted average Limited Partnership Units
(Units) outstanding                                       19,962        19,962         19,964         19,971         19,971

Net income per Unit, based on weighted
average Units outstanding                                  $5.04        $15.41         $14.11         $12.09          $7.15

Distributions per Unit, based on weighted
average Units outstanding                                 $11.82        $24.38         $61.59         $71.35         $86.82

Total Assets                                            $466,002      $649,232       $692,353     $1,738,846     $3,019,088

Total Non-recourse Debt                                 $154,780      $190,568              -       $107,924       $345,057

Total Partners' Capital                                 $298,853      $433,185       $609,077     $1,556,020     $2,594,210
</TABLE>


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

Capital Resources and Liquidity

At December 31, 1996, the Partnership's  cash balances  ($205,418)  consisted of
amounts held for  distribution to the Limited Partners in January 1997 ($55,900)
and working capital reserves.

During 1996, the Partnership generated cash flows available for distribution (as
defined in the Partnership Agreement) of $420,000.

During the year, the Partnership's  primary sources of liquidity were cash flows
from leasing  operations and proceeds from the sales of assets. The liquidity of
the  Partnership  will vary in the future,  increasing  to the extent cash flows
from operations and proceeds from asset sales exceed expenses, and decreasing as
distributions are made to the Limited Partners and to the extent expenses exceed
cash flows from leases and proceeds from asset sales.

The Partnership  currently has available adequate reserves to meet its immediate
cash requirements.

Through   December  31,  1996,  the  Partnership   had  borrowed   approximately
$2,818,000.  The  outstanding  balance at December 31, 1996 was $154,780.  There
were no new  borrowings  between  December 31, 1996 and  February 28, 1997.  The
borrowings were  non-recourse to the Partnership,  that is, the only recourse of
the lender is to the  equipment or  corresponding  lease  acquired with the loan
proceeds.  The Partnership  Agreement limits such borrowings to 80% of the total
cost of equipment, in aggregate.


<PAGE>

No commitments of capital have been made or will be made in connection  with the
reinvestment   of  available  cash  from  operations  and  cash  from  sales  or
refinancing for the acquisition of additional  equipment as described in Item 1.
The Partnership's  reinvestment  period ended December 31, 1994. The Partnership
may,  however,  use the  proceeds of  non-recourse  debt to purchase  additional
assets. In 1995, the Partnership acquired assets with a cost of $208,787 by this
method.

The Partnership made distributions of cash from operations and sales proceeds to
the Limited Partners in April,  July and October 1996 and in January 1997. These
distributions were based on the results of operations and asset sales in 1996.

If  inflation  in the general  economy  becomes  significant,  it may affect the
Partnership  inasmuch as the residual  (resale) values and rates on re-leases of
the  Partnership's  leased  assets may  increase as the costs of similar  assets
increase.  However,  the  Partnership's  revenues from existing leases would not
increase,  as such rates are generally fixed for the terms of the leases without
adjustment for inflation.

If interest rates increase  significantly,  the lease rates that the Partnership
can obtain on future  leases will be expected to increase as the cost of capital
is a significant  factor in the pricing of lease  financing.  Leases  already in
place, for the most part, would not be affected by changes in interest rates.

                      1996 vs. 1995.

Cash flows from operations  decreased by $106,560 compared to 1995. In 1995, the
Partnership  had  received  $103,286  from  the  Financial  News  Network  (FNN)
bankruptcy  settlement.  The Partnership had also received marketable securities
in a prior  year as part of that  bankruptcy  settlement  and in 1995,  received
$68,158 from the sale of that stock.  There were no such receipts or stock sales
in 1996. None were expected in 1996 nor are any expected in any future period.

Sources of cash from  investing  activities  increased  from $191,880 in 1995 to
$292,322 in 1996.  The increase  was the result of an increased  amount of asset
sales in 1996  compared to 1995.  The assets sales  occurred at scheduled  lease
terminations and in one case, an early termination ($147,148).

There were no sources of cash from financing activities in 1996.

                      1995 vs. 1994.

Cash flows from operations  increased by $5,111.  Although the net change is not
large,  it is the result of two  significant  (and  offsetting)  factors.  Lease
revenues  declined  by  $70,114  as a  result  of  continued  lease  maturities,
terminations  and asset  sales.  This was offset by the receipt of $103,286 as a
part of the 1992 settlement of the FNN bankruptcy.

Sources of cash from  investing  activities  decreased  from $742,095 in 1994 to
$191,880 in 1995. The largest factor was the decrease in the amounts of proceeds
from sales of lease  assets  from  $450,553  in 1994 to  $44,030  in 1995.  This
decrease reflects the decrease in the amounts of equipment sold in 1994 compared
to 1995.  The original cost of operating  lease assets sold in 1994 was $609,385
compared to $149,558 in 1995. The amounts  received from the sales of marketable
securities  decreased  from  $171,797 in 1994 to $68,158 in 1995.  The stock was
received at no cost as part of the 1992 FNN  bankruptcy  settlement.  All of the
stock had been sold as of the end of the first quarter of 1995.

In 1995,  the only  source  of cash  from  financing  sources  was the  $205,517
received as the proceeds of non-recourse debt. This cash was used to finance the
assets acquired in 1995.


<PAGE>
Results of Operations

                      1996 vs. 1995

Lease revenues  decreased from about $175,000 in 1995 to about $142,000 in 1996.
This decrease was primarily due to scheduled lease  terminations  and subsequent
asset sales.  Depreciation  expense increased from $29,324 in 1995 to $62,028 in
1996. The increase resulted primarily from depreciation taken on assets acquired
in 1995. A full year's depreciation was taken on these assets for the first time
in  1996.  There  were no sales of  marketable  securities  in 1996 nor were any
settlement proceeds received from the FNN bankruptcy.  The Partnership no longer
owns any marketable securities.

Other revenues and expenses have not changed significantly compared to 1995.


                      1995 vs. 1994

Lease  revenues  decreased  from  $245,000  in 1994 to  $175,000  in 1995.  This
decrease is primarily  the result of scheduled  lease  terminations.  All of the
assets coming off lease in 1995 were sold.  Depreciation  expense decreased from
$98,835 in 1994 to $29,324 in 1995.  This  decrease  is also the result of asset
sales in 1994 and 1995.  Gains on the sales of marketable  securities  decreased
from  $171,797 in 1994 to $68,158 in 1995 as the  remainder  of the common stock
received in the FNN bankruptcy settlement was sold in the first quarter of 1995.
In 1995,  the  Partnership  also  received  a one time  distribution  from  that
settlement in the amount of $103,286.  There will not be any similar  amounts in
future periods.

The  decrease in the  management  fees and  administrative  cost  reimbursements
resulted  from the  General  Partners'  decision  in 1994 to waive such fees and
reimbursements.  Interest  expense  increased  as a  direct  result  of the 1995
non-recourse borrowings ($205,517).



Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See Financial  Statements and Notes to Financial  Statements  attached hereto at
pages 10 through 21.

<PAGE>

                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS






The Partners
ATEL Cash Distribution Fund

We have audited the accompanying  balance sheets of ATEL Cash  Distribution Fund
(a California  limited  partnership)  as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,  and the
related  statements of income,  changes in partners'  capital and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996.  These  financial
statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the  Partnership's   management.   Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects,  the financial position of ATEL Cash Distribution Fund (a
California  limited  partnership) at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results
of its  operations  and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended  December 31, 1996,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.



                                                              ERNST & YOUNG LLP
San Francisco, California
January 27, 1997

<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                                 BALANCE SHEETS

                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 and 1995


                                     ASSETS
                                                         1996          1995
                                                         ----          ----

Cash and cash equivalents                              $205,418        $91,084

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $22,097 in 1996 and
   in 1995                                               25,877          6,098

Investment in equipment and leases                      234,707        552,050
                                                   ------------- --------------
Total assets                                           $466,002       $649,232
                                                   ============= ==============



                        LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL

Non-recourse debt                                      $154,780       $190,568

Accounts payable                                         11,174         10,179
Deposits due to lessees                                       -         12,914
Accrued interest                                          1,195          1,471
Unearned lease income                                         -            915
                                                   ------------- --------------
Total liabilities                                       167,149        216,047

Partners' capital:
     General Partners                                    20,929         19,914
     Limited Partners                                   277,924        413,271
                                                   ------------- --------------
Total partners' capital                                 298,853        433,185
                                                   ------------- --------------
Total liabilities and partners' capital                $466,002       $649,232
                                                   ============= ==============


                             See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1996           1995          1994
                                                                                     ----           ----          ----
Revenues:
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>
Leasing activities:
     Operating                                                                       $104,371       $111,448       $172,471
     Direct financing                                                                  38,261         63,914         68,562
     Leveraged                                                                              -              -          4,443
     Gain on sale                                                                      39,095         15,106         48,469
Interest income                                                                         1,093          1,073          9,649
Gain on sale of marketable securities                                                       -         68,158        171,797
Proceeds from bankruptcy settlement                                                         -        103,286              -
Other                                                                                  26,040         26,293          8,992
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------
                                                                                      208,860        389,278        484,383
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------

Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization                                                          62,028         29,324         98,835
Interest                                                                               15,883         12,496          5,154
Professional fees                                                                      10,606         15,443         20,391
Provision for losses                                                                    2,088          3,768            594
Other                                                                                  16,712         17,552         20,103
Administrative cost reimbursements to General Partner                                       -              -         34,380
Equipment and partnership management fees to General Partner                                -              -         20,359
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------
                                                                                      107,317         78,583        199,816
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------
Net income                                                                           $101,543       $310,695       $284,567
                                                                                 =============  ============= ==============

Net income:
     General Partners                                                                  $1,015         $3,107         $2,846
     Limited Partners                                                                 100,528        307,588        281,721
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------
                                                                                     $101,543       $310,695       $284,567
                                                                                 =============  ============= ==============

Net income per Limited Partnership Unit                                                 $5.04         $15.41         $14.11

Weighted average number of Units outstanding                                           19,962         19,962         19,964
</TABLE>


                             See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                   STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Limited Partners   General
                                                                     Units          Amount        Partners        Total

<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>               <C>         <C>
Balance, December 31, 1993                                              19,971     $1,542,059        $13,961     $1,556,020

Distributions ($61.59 per Unit)                                                    (1,229,616)             -     (1,229,616)
Repurchase of units                                                         (9)        (1,894)             -         (1,894)
Net income                                                                            281,721          2,846        284,567
                                                                  -------------  -------------  ------------- --------------
Balance, December 31, 1994                                              19,962        592,270         16,807        609,077

Distributions ($24.38 per Unit)                                                      (486,587)             -       (486,587)
Net income                                                                            307,588          3,107        310,695
                                                                  -------------  -------------  ------------- --------------
Balance, December 31, 1995                                              19,962        413,271         19,914        433,185

Distributions ($11.82 per Unit)                                                      (235,875)             -       (235,875)
Net income                                                                            100,528          1,015        101,543
                                                                  -------------  -------------  ------------- --------------
Balance, December 31, 1996                                              19,962       $277,924        $20,929       $298,853
                                                                  =============  =============  ============= ==============
</TABLE>





                             See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1996           1995          1994
                                                                                     ----           ----          ----
Operating activities:
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>          <C>
Net income                                                                           $101,543       $310,695       $284,567
  Adjustments  to  reconcile  net  income  to net  cash  provided  by  operating
    activities:
      Depreciation and amortization expense                                            62,028         29,324         98,835
      Gain on sale of equipment                                                       (39,095)       (15,106)       (48,469)
      Gain on sale of marketable securities                                                 -        (68,158)      (171,797)
      Provision for losses                                                              2,088          3,768            594
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
          Receivables                                                                 (19,779)        (2,492)        23,019
          Accounts payable to General Partners                                              -              -        (65,389)
          Other accounts payable                                                          995        (58,280)        58,946
          Deposits due to lessees                                                     (12,914)             -         12,914
          Accrued interest                                                               (276)         1,471              -
          Unearned operating lease income                                                (915)          (988)         1,903
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                              93,675        200,234        195,123
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------

Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of assets on direct financing leases                               133,002              -        131,000
Reductions of net investment in direct financing leases                                79,520         79,692        119,745
Proceeds from sale of assets on operating leases                                       79,800         44,030        319,553
Purchases of equipment on operating leases                                                  -       (208,787)             -
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities                                                 -         68,158        171,797
Purchases of equipment on direct financing leases                                           -              -       (377,849)
Payment of initial direct costs                                                             -              -         (3,705)
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                                   292,322        (16,907)       360,541
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------

Financing activities:
Distributions to limited partners, net of reinvestments                              (235,875)      (486,587)    (1,229,616)
Repayments of non-recourse debt                                                       (35,788)       (14,949)      (107,924)
Proceeds of non-recourse debt                                                               -        205,517              -
Repurchase of units                                                                         -              -         (1,894)
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------
Net cash used in financing activities                                                (271,663)      (296,019)    (1,339,434)
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                  114,334       (112,692)      (783,770)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                         91,084        203,776        987,546
                                                                                 -------------  ------------- --------------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                                             $205,418        $91,084       $203,776
                                                                                 =============  ============= ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Continued)

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1996           1995          1994
                                                                                     ----           ----          ----
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash paid during the year for interest                                                $16,159        $11,025         $5,154
                                                                                 =============  ============= ==============

Supplemental schedule of non-cash transactions:

Direct financing lease assets reclassified to operating lease assets                                                $13,421
                                                                                                              ==============
</TABLE>





                             See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                DECEMBER 31, 1996


1.  Organization and partnership matters:

ATEL Cash Distribution Fund, a California limited partnership (the Partnership),
was formed under the laws of the State of California  on November 29, 1985,  for
the purpose of  acquiring  equipment  to engage in  equipment  leasing and sales
activities.  Initial  contributions  of $600 were received,  and of this amount,
$100 was contributed by the General Partners for their General Partner interest.
One unit of  Limited  Partnership  interest  was issued to the  initial  Limited
Partner for $500.  Partnership  operations  commenced  on November 17, 1986 when
subscriptions  for the minimum amount of Units of Limited  Partnership  Interest
(Units) offered by the prospectus ($1,200,000) and the proceeds thereof had been
received by the Partnership. The General Partners are ATEL Financial Corporation
(ATEL), a California corporation and two individuals, who are principals of ATEL
Capital Group, the parent of ATEL Financial Corporation.

The Partnership's business consists of leasing various types of equipment. As of
December 31, 1996,  the original  terms of the leases ranged from three to seven
years.

Pursuant to the Limited Partnership Agreement, the General Partners are entitled
to receive compensation and reimbursement for services rendered on behalf of the
Partnership  (Note 5). The General Partners are required to maintain  reasonable
cash reserves for working capital in the Partnership.


2.  Summary of significant accounting policies:

Equipment on operating leases:

Equipment on operating leases is stated at cost.  Depreciation is being provided
by use of the  straight-line  method over the terms of the related leases to the
equipment's estimated residual values at the end of the leases.

Revenues  from  operating  leases  are  recognized  evenly  over the life of the
related leases.

Direct financing leases:

Income from direct  financing  lease  transactions  is reported on the financing
method  of  accounting,  in which the  Partnership's  investment  in the  leased
property is reported as a  receivable  from the lessee to be  recovered  through
future rentals and  realization of residual  values.  The income portion of each
rental  payment is calculated so as to generate a constant rate of return on the
net receivable outstanding.



<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                DECEMBER 31, 1996


2.  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued):

Investment in leveraged leases:

Leases which are financed  principally with non-recourse debt at lease inception
and which meet certain other  criteria are  accounted  for as leveraged  leases.
Leveraged lease contracts  receivable are stated net of the related non-recourse
debt service (which  includes  unpaid  principal and aggregate  interest on such
debt) plus estimated  residual values.  Unearned income represents the excess of
anticipated  cash flows (after  taking into account the related debt service and
residual  values)  over the  investment  in the lease and is  amortized  using a
constant rate of return  applied to the net investment  when such  investment is
positive.

Statements of cash flows:

For purposes of the Statements of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents includes
cash in banks and cash equivalent investments with original maturities of ninety
days or less.

Income taxes:

The  Partnership  does not provide for income  taxes since all income and losses
are the liability of the  individual  partners and are allocated to the partners
for inclusion in their individual tax returns.

The tax basis of the  Partnership's  net assets and liabilities  varies from the
amounts presented in these financial statements.
                                                        1996           1995
                                                        ----           ----
Financial statement basis of net assets
   and liabilities                                     $298,853       $433,185
Tax basis of net assets and liabilities               2,045,416      2,087,467
                                                   -------------  -------------
Difference                                           $1,746,563     $1,654,282
                                                   =============  =============

The following  reconciles the net loss reported in these financial statements to
the loss reported on the Partnership's federal tax return (unaudited):
                                                         1996           1995
                                                         ----           ----
Net income per financial statements                    $101,543       $310,695
Adjustment to depreciation expense                       10,896        (31,898)
Adjustments to revenues                                  81,640         56,712
Provision for losses and impairments                      2,088          3,768
Adjustments to other expenses                            (2,345)            (2)
                                                   -------------  -------------
Net income per federal tax return                      $193,822       $339,275
                                                   =============  =============

Credit Risk:

Financial   instruments   which   potentially   subject   the   Partnership   to
concentrations of credit risk include cash and cash equivalents. The Partnership
places its cash deposits and temporary cash investments with creditworthy,  high
quality financial institutions. The concentration of such deposits and temporary
cash investments is not deemed to create a significant risk to the Partnership.




<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




2.  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued):

Use of estimates:

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Per unit data:

Net income and distributions per unit are based upon the weighted average number
of Units  outstanding  during the period,  without  giving  effect to changes in
capital interests as a result of reinvestment of distributions.


3.  Investment in equipment and leases:

The Partnership's investment in equipment and leases consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Depreciation
                                                                                  Expense or
                                                                                  Amortization
                                                       1995        Additions      of Leases     Dispositions      1996
                                                       ----        ---------      ---------     ------------      ----
<S>                                                     <C>                         <C>            <C>            <C>
Net investment in operating leases                      $301,079                     ($59,684)      ($40,705)      $200,690
Net investment in direct financing leases                252,989                      (79,520)      (133,002)        40,467
Initial direct costs                                       2,344                       (2,344)             -              -
Reserve for losses                                        (4,362)      ($2,088)             -              -         (6,450)
                                                  --------------- -------------  -------------  ------------- --------------
                                                        $552,050       ($2,088)     ($141,548)     ($173,707)       $234,707
                                                  =============== =============  =============  ============= ==============
</TABLE>

Operating leases:

Property on operating  lease  consists of the following as of December 31, 1995,
additions and dispositions during 1996 and as of December 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   December 31,                                 December 31,
                                                       1995        Additions     Dispositions       1996
                                                       ----        ---------     ------------       ----
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
Materials handling                                      $271,352                     ($50,565)      $220,787
Food processing                                          208,787                            -        208,787
Motor vehicles                                           120,663                      (90,400)        30,263
Manufacturing equipment                                   35,653                            -         35,653
                                                  --------------- -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                         636,455                     (140,965)       495,490
Less accumulated depreciation                           (335,376)     ($59,684)       100,260       (294,800)
                                                  --------------- -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                        $301,079      ($59,684)      ($40,705)      $200,690
                                                  =============== =============  =============  =============
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                DECEMBER 31, 1996


3.  Investment in equipment and leases (continued):

Direct financing leases:

Equipment under direct  financing leases consists of an industrial  heater.  The
following  lists  the  components  of the  Partnership's  investment  in  direct
financing leases as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:

                                                        1996           1995
                                                        ----           ----
Total minimum lease payments receivable                 $66,125       $338,303
Estimated residual values of leased equipment
   (unguaranteed)                                             1              1
                                                   -------------  -------------
Investment in direct financing leases                    66,126        338,304
Less unearned income                                    (25,659)       (85,315)
                                                   -------------  -------------

Net investment in direct financing leases               $40,467       $252,989
                                                   =============  =============

At December 31, 1996,  the aggregate  amounts of future  minimum lease  payments
from direct financing leases and operating leases are as follows:

                        Year ending    Direct
                       December 31,   Financing      Operating        Total
                       ------------   ---------      ---------        -----
                              1997       $66,125         $57,219      $123,344
                              1998             -          51,948        51,948
                              1999             -          51,948        51,948
                              2000             -          25,974        25,974
                                    ------------- --------------- -------------
                                         $66,125        $187,089      $253,214
                                    ============= =============== =============


4.  Non-recourse debt:

At  December  31,  1996,  non-recourse  debt  consisted  of a note  payable to a
financial  institution  of  $154,780.  The note is due in  monthly  payments  of
$4,329. Interest on the note is at the rate of 9.264%. The note is secured by an
assignment of lease  payments and a pledge of assets.  At December 31, 1996, the
carrying value of the pledged assets is approximately $156,591.

Future minimum payments of non-recourse debt are as follows:

                         Year ending
                         December 31,   Principal       Interest        Total
                         ------------   ---------       --------        -----
                             1997         $39,248       $12,700        $51,948
                             1998          43,042         8,906         51,948
                             1999          47,204         4,744         51,948
                             2000          25,286           688         25,974
                                   --------------- -------------  -------------
                                         $154,780       $27,038       $181,818
                                   =============== =============  =============

<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                DECEMBER 31, 1996


5.  Related party transactions:

The terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement provide that the General Partners
and/or  their  Affiliates  are entitled to receive  certain  fees for  equipment
acquisition, management and resale and for management of the Partnership.

The General  Partners  earned  partnership  management  fees equal to 5% of cash
distributed  from  operations and equipment  management fees equal to 2% of full
payout lease rentals and 5% of operating  lease rentals  pursuant to the Limited
Partnership Agreement.  Effective April 1, 1994, the General Partners elected to
waive all management  fees.  The amounts of management  fees earned in 1994 were
$20,359.

The Limited Partnership Agreement allows for the reimbursement of costs incurred
by ATEL in providing administrative services to the Partnership.  Administrative
services provided include  partnership  accounting,  investor  relations,  legal
counsel  and lease  and  equipment  documentation.  ATEL is not  reimbursed  for
services where it is entitled to receive a separate fee as compensation for such
services,  such as acquisition and disposition of equipment.  Reimbursable costs
incurred  by ATEL are  allocated  to the  Partnership  based  upon  actual  time
incurred by employees working on Partnership  business and an allocation of rent
and other costs based on utilization studies. Effective May 1, 1994, the General
Partners have elected to waive all  reimbursements of  administrative  costs. In
1996, 1995 and 1994, $50,914, $58,200 and $52,800 were waived, respectively.
Costs charged and reimbursed in 1994 totaled $34,380.


6.  Partners' capital:

The Partnership is authorized to issue up to 20,001 Units of Limited Partnership
Interest.  As of December 18,  1987,  all of the Units had been  subscribed  and
issued.  Limited  Partners had the option to elect to accumulate  their share of
distributions  for reinvestment  during the  Partnership's  reinvestment  period
(through  December  31,  1994).  Reinvested  distributions  do not result in the
issuance of additional  Units.  Each limited  partner's  capital interest in the
Partnership  is based upon his original  invested  capital  plus any  reinvested
distributions.  This capital  accumulation period was terminated effective April
1, 1993 by the General Partners.

The  Partnership's  net  profits  and losses are  allocated  99% to the  Limited
Partners and 1% to the General Partners.

Available Cash from Operations and Cash from Sales or Refinancing, as defined in
the Limited Partnership Agreement, shall be distributed as follows:

   First, 5% of Cash from Operations to the General Partners as the Partnership
   Management Fee,

   Second,  the balance to the Limited  Partners until the Limited Partners have
   received  Aggregate  Distributions  in an  amount  equal  to  their  Original
   Invested Capital plus an 8% per annum cumulative (compounded daily) return on
   their Adjusted Invested Capital.

   Third,  the General  Partners will receive a  Subordinated  Incentive Fee, as
   follows:
      A)  10% of remaining Cash from Operations
      B)  15% of remaining Cash from Sales or Refinancing

   Fourth, the balance to the Limited Partners.

<PAGE>

                           ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                DECEMBER 31, 1996


7.  Concentration of credit risk and major customers:

The Partnership  leases  equipment to lessees in diversified  industries.  As of
December 31, 1996, 74% and 26% of total  equipment cost was leased to lessees in
the manufacturing industries and transportation industry,  respectively.  Leases
are subject to the General Partners'  investment  committee  review.  The leases
provide for the return of the equipment upon default.

During 1996,  lease  rentals from one  customer  represented  50% of total gross
lease payments.  During 1995,  lease rentals from the same customer  represented
30% of total gross lease  payments.  During  1994,  lease  rentals  from another
customer represented 18% of total gross lease payments.


8.  Fair value of financial instruments:

The Partnership has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107,
"Disclosures  about  Fair  Value  of  Financial   Instruments,"  which  requires
disclosure  of  the  fair  value  of  financial  instruments  for  which  it  is
practicable to estimate fair value.  The following  methods and assumptions were
used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial  instrument for which
it is practicable to estimate that value.

Cash and cash equivalents:

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because
of the short maturity of these instruments.

Accounts payable, accrued interest and customer deposits:

The carrying amount of accounts payable,  accrued interest and customer deposits
approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Non-recourse debt:

The  fair  value  of the  Partnership's  non-recourse  debt is  estimated  using
discounted cash flow analyses,  based on the Partnership's  current  incremental
borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.  The estimated fair
value of the Partnership's non-recourse debt at December 31, 1996 is $151,326.



<PAGE>

Item 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH AUDITORS ON
              ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Inapplicable.


                                    PART III

Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The  registrant  is a Limited  Partnership  and,  therefore,  has no officers or
directors.

All  of the  outstanding  capital  stock  of  ATEL  Financial  Corporation  (the
corporate  General  Partner) is held by ATEL Capital  Group  ("ACG"),  a holding
company formed to control the General Partner and affiliated  companies pursuant
to a corporate  restructuring  completed in July 1994. The  outstanding  capital
stock of ATEL Capital Group is owned 75% by A. J. Batt and 25% by Dean Cash (the
individual General Partners),  and was obtained in the restructuring in exchange
for their capital interests in ATEL Financial Corporation.

Each of ATEL Leasing Corporation  ("ALC"),  ATEL Equipment  Corporation ("AEC"),
ATEL  Investor  Services  ("AIS") and ATEL  Financial  Corporation  ("AFC") is a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of ATEL Capital  Group and  performs  services for the
Partnership.  Acquisition  services are  performed for the  Partnership  by ALC,
equipment  management,  lease  administration and asset disposition services are
performed by AEC, investor relations and  communications  services are performed
by AIS and general administrative  services for the Partnership are performed by
AFC. ATEL Securities  Corporation ("ASC"), is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of ATEL
Financial Corporation.

The officers and directors of ATEL Capital Group, ATEL Financial Corporation and
their affiliates are as follows:

A. J. Batt . . . . . . . . Chairman of the Board of Directors of ACG, AFC, ALC,
                           AEC, AIS and ASC; President and Chief Executive
                           Officer of ACG, AFC and AEC

Dean L. Cash . . . . . . . Director, Executive Vice President and Chief
                           Operating Officer of ACG, AFC, and AEC; Director,
                           President and Chief Executive Officer of ALC, AIS
                           and ASC

F. Randall Bigony . . . .  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
                           ACG, AFC, ALC, AIS and AEC

Donald E. Carpenter . . .  Vice President and Controller of ACG, AFC, ALC, AEC
                           and AIS; Chief Financial Officer of ASC

Vasco H. Morais . . . . .  General Counsel for ACG, AFC, ALC, AIS and AEC

William J. Bullock . . . . Director of Asset Management of AEC

Jeffrey A. Schwager . . .  Vice President - Syndication of ALC

Russell H. Wilder . . . .  Vice President - Credit of AEC

John P. Scarcella . . . .  Vice President of ASC


<PAGE>

A. J. Batt, age 60, founded ATEL in 1977 and has been its president and chairman
of the  board of  directors  since  its  inception.  From  1973 to 1977,  he was
employed by GATX  Leasing  Corporation  as  manager-data  processing  and equity
placement for the lease underwriting department, which was involved in equipment
financing  for  major  corporations.  From  1967 to 1973  Mr.  Batt was a senior
technical representative for General Electric Corporation, involved in sales and
support  services for computer  time-sharing  applications  for corporations and
financial  institutions.  Prior to that time, he was employed by North  American
Aviation as an  engineer  involved in the Apollo  project.  Mr. Batt  received a
B.Sc.  degree with honors in  mathematics  and physics  from the  University  of
British Columbia in 1961.

Dean L. Cash,  age 46, joined ATEL as director of marketing in 1980 and has been
a vice president since 1981,  executive vice president since 1983 and a director
since  1984.   Prior  to  joining  ATEL,   Mr.  Cash  was  a  senior   marketing
representative for Martin Marietta Corporation, data systems division, from 1979
to 1980.  From 1977 to 1979,  he was employed by General  Electric  Corporation,
where he was an applications  specialist in the medical  systems  division and a
marketing  representative in the information  services division.  Mr. Cash was a
systems  engineer  with  Electronic  Data  Systems  from  1975 to 1977,  and was
involved in maintaining and developing software for commercial applications. Mr.
Cash received a B.S.  degree in psychology and mathematics in 1972 and an M.B.A.
degree with a  concentration  in finance in 1975 from Florida State  University.
Mr. Cash is an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

F.  Randall  Bigony,  age 39,  joined  ATEL in  1992  to  review  administrative
operations  within  ATEL  Financial  Corporation  and to develop  and  implement
functional  plans to  support  company  growth.  He  currently  oversees  ATEL's
accounting, MIS and treasury functions. From 1987 until joining ATEL, Mr. Bigony
was  president  of F.  Randall  Bigony & Co., a  consulting  firm that  provided
financial and strategic  planning  services to emerging growth  companies.  From
1983 to 1987,  he was a manager  with the  accounting  firm of Ernst &  Whinney,
serving  clients in its management  consulting  practice.  Mr. Bigony received a
B.A.  degree in business  from the  University  of  Massachusetts  and an M.B.A.
degree in finance from the University of California,  Berkeley. He is a founding
board member and acting  treasurer  of the I Have a Dream  Foundation - Bay Area
Chapter.

Donald E. Carpenter, age 48, joined ATEL in 1986 as controller. Prior to joining
ATEL, Mr. Carpenter was an audit supervisor with Laventhol & Horwath,  certified
public accountants in San Francisco, California, from 1983 to 1986. From 1979 to
1983,  Mr.  Carpenter  was an  audit  senior  with  Deloitte,  Haskins  & Sells,
certified public accountants,  in San Jose,  California.  From 1971 to 1975, Mr.
Carpenter was a Supply Corp officer in the U. S. Navy. Mr. Carpenter  received a
B.S. degree in mathematics  (magna cum laude) from California State  University,
Fresno in 1971 and completed a second major in accounting in 1978. Mr. Carpenter
has been a California certified public accountant since 1981.

Vasco H. Morais, age 38, joined ATEL in 1989 as general counsel to provide legal
support in the  drafting  and  reviewing  of lease  documentation,  advising  on
general corporate law matters, and assisting on securities law issues. From 1986
to 1989,  Mr.  Morais was  employed  by the  BankAmeriLease  Companies,  Bank of
America's  equipment leasing  subsidiaries,  providing in-house legal support on
the  documentation  of  tax-oriented  and non-tax  oriented direct and leveraged
lease transactions, vendor leasing programs and general corporate matters. Prior
to the BankAmeriLease  Companies,  Mr. Morais was with the Consolidated  Capital
Companies in the Corporate and Securities Legal Department  involved in drafting
and reviewing  contracts,  advising on corporate law matters and  securities law
issues.  Mr.  Morais  received  a B.A.  degree  in 1982 from the  University  of
California in Berkeley and a J.D. degree in 1986 from Golden Gate University Law
School.  Mr.  Morais  has been an active  member of the State Bar of  California
since 1986.


<PAGE>

William J.  Bullock,  age 33,  joined  ATEL in 1991,  as the  director  of asset
management. He assumed responsibility for the disposition of off-lease equipment
and  residual  valuation  analysis on new lease  transactions.  Prior to joining
ATEL,  Mr.  Bullock  was a senior  member of the  equipment  group at  McDonnell
Douglas  Finance  Corporation("MDFC")  responsible  for  managing its $4 billion
portfolio of leases.  Mr. Bullock was involved in negotiating sales and renewals
as well as preparing and  inspecting  equipment.  Prior to joining MDFC in 1989,
Mr. Bullock was the Senior  Negotiator at Equitable  Leasing (a subsidiary of GE
Capital Equipment Corp.) in San Diego. At Equitable, he handled the end-of-lease
negotiations  and equipment  dispositions of a portfolio  comprised of equipment
leased primarily to Fortune 200 companies.  Mr. Bullock has been a member of the
Equipment Lessors  Association  ("ELA") since 1987 and has authored ELA industry
articles.  He  received a B.S.  degree in  Finance in 1987 from San Diego  State
University and is pursuing his M.B.A.

Jeffrey A. Schwager, age 36, joined ATEL in 1991 as vice president - syndication
and is responsible for acquiring  transactions  from  intermediaries  as well as
debt and equity  placement.  Prior to joining ATEL, Mr. Schwager was a member of
General Electric Capital Corporation's  Institutional Financing Group. There, he
was  responsible  for   originating   equipment  lease  and  corporate   finance
opportunities,  as well as soliciting  equipment  portfolios in conjunction with
marketing a proprietary capital enhancement product. From 1985 through 1990, Mr.
Schwager held several positions with Bank Ireland/First Financial, most recently
Vice  President  Marketing,   where  he  was  responsible  for  originating  and
negotiating  tax-oriented  leveraged lease financings for Fortune 500 companies.
From 1983 to 1985 Mr.  Schwager  was an  Associate  Consultant  with The Bigelow
Company,  a middle market  investment  banking and management  consulting  firm,
developing and  implementing  strategic plans for a number of clients.  Prior to
The Bigelow Company,  he worked for Petro-Lewis  Corporation as a joint-interest
accountant.  Mr.  Schwager  received  his B.S. in Business  Administration  from
Babson College in 1982, majoring in Finance and Entrepreneurial Studies.

Russell  H.  Wilder,  age 43,  joined  ATEL in  1992 as Vice  President  of ATEL
Business Credit, a wholly-owned  subsidiary of ACG. Immediately prior to joining
ATEL,  Mr.  Wilder was a personal  property  broker  specializing  in  equipment
leasing  and  financing  and an  outside  contractor  in the areas of credit and
collections.  From 1985 to 1990 he was Vice President and Manager of Leasing for
Fireside Thrift Co., a Teledyne subsidiary,  and was responsible for all aspects
of setting up and  managing  the  department,  which  operated as a small ticket
lease  funding  source.  From  1983 to  1985 he was  with  Wells  Fargo  Leasing
Corporation  as  Assistant  Vice  President  in the credit  department  where he
oversaw all credit analysis on  transactions in excess of $2 million.  From 1978
to 1983 he was District Credit Manager with  Westinghouse  Credit  Corporation's
Industrial Group and was responsible for all non-marketing operations of various
district offices. Mr. Wilder holds a B.S. with Honors in Agricultural  Economics
and Business  Management from the University of California at Davis. He has been
awarded the Certified Lease Professional  designation by the Western Association
of Equipment Lessors.

John P. Scarcella,  age 35, joined ATEL Securities as vice president in 1992. He
is involved in the marketing of securities offered by ASC. Prior to joining ASC,
from 1987 to 1991,  he was  employed  by Lansing  Pacific  Fund,  a real  estate
investment  trust in San Mateo,  California  and acted as  director  of investor
relations.   From  1984  to  1987,   Mr.   Scarcella   acted  as  broker  dealer
representative  for Lansing  Capital  Corporation,  where he was involved in the
marketing of direct  participation  programs and REITs. Mr. Scarcella received a
B.S.C.  degree with emphasis in investment finance in 1983 and an M.B.A.  degree
with a concentration in marketing in 1991 from Santa Clara University.



<PAGE>

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The  registrant  is a Limited  Partnership  and,  therefore,  has no officers or
directors.

Set forth hereinafter is a description of the nature of remuneration paid and to
be paid to the  General  Partners  and  their  Affiliates.  The  amount  of such
remuneration  paid to the General Partners and their Affiliates during the years
ended  December  31,  1994,  1995 and 1996 is set forth in Item 8 of this report
under the caption  "Financial  Statements and Supplementary  Data - Notes to the
Financial  Statements - Related  party  transactions,"  at Note 5 thereof  which
information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Selling Commissions

The  Partnership  paid  selling  commissions  in the amount of  $950,000 to ATEL
Securities  Corporation,  an affiliate of the General  Partners through December
1987.  No further  commissions  are to be paid.  Of this  amount,  $933,761  was
reallowed to other broker/dealers.

Acquisition Fees

Acquisition  fees were paid to the General  Partners  for  services  rendered in
finding,  reviewing and evaluating  equipment to be purchased by the Partnership
and  rejecting  equipment  not  to  be  purchased  by  the  Partnership.   Total
acquisition  fees paid  through  December  31, 1994 were  $450,000,  the maximum
allowable amount.

Equipment Management Fees

As compensation for its services  rendered  generally in managing or supervising
the management of the  Partnership's  equipment and in supervising other ongoing
services  and  activities  including,  among  others,  broker  assistance,  cash
management,   product  development,   property  and  sales  tax  monitoring  and
preparation  of financial  data,  the General  Partners or their  Affiliates are
entitled to receive  management  fees which are payable for each fiscal  quarter
and  are  to be in an  amount  equal  to  (i)  5% of  the  gross  revenues  from
"operating" leases and (ii) 2% of gross revenues from "full payout" leases which
contain net lease provisions.  See Note 5 to the financial statements under Item
8 of this report for amounts paid. Effective April 1, 1994, the General Partners
elected to waive Equipment Management fees due from the Partnership.

Partnership Management Fees

As compensation  for its services  rendered in connection with the management of
the  Partnership,  including but not limited to employment  and  supervision  of
supervisory  managing  agents,  insurance  brokers,   equipment  lease  brokers,
accountants and other professional advisors, and for supervising the preparation
of reports and  maintenance of financial and operating data of the  Partnership,
Securities and Exchange Commission and Internal Revenue Service filings, returns
and reports,  the General  Partners  shall be entitled to receive a  Partnership
management  fee which shall be payable  for each fiscal  quarter and shall be an
amount equal to 5% of distributions  of cash from operations.  See Note 5 to the
financial  statements  under  Item 8 of this  report for  amounts  paid in 1994.
Effective  April 1, 1994,  the  General  Partners  elected to waive  Partnership
Management fees due from the Partnership.


<PAGE>

Equipment Resale Fees

As compensation for services  rendered in connection with the sale of equipment,
the General  Partners  are  entitled to receive an amount equal to the lesser of
(i) 3% of the  sales  price  of the  equipment,  or  (ii)  one-half  the  normal
competitive  equipment sales commission charged by unaffiliated parties for such
services.  Such fee is payable only after the Limited  Partners  have received a
return of their Adjusted Invested Capital (as defined in the Limited Partnership
Agreement) plus 8% of their Adjusted  Invested Capital per annum calculated on a
cumulative basis,  compounded  daily,  commencing the last day of the quarter in
which the limited partner was admitted to the  Partnership.  No Equipment Resale
fees have been paid to date.

Subordinated Incentive Fee

As compensation for the services rendered in evaluating and selecting  equipment
for  the  Partnership,  making  decisions  as to the  nature  and  terms  of the
acquisition,   leasing,  re-leasing  and  disposition  of  such  equipment,  and
selecting,  retaining and supervising consultants,  lessees, engineers, lenders,
borrowers  and  others,   the  General   Partners  are  entitled  to  receive  a
subordinated  incentive fee equal to a percentage of all  distributions  of cash
from  operations  and cash from  sales or  refinancing  payable  quarterly,  but
commencing  immediately  after the Limited  Partners have received the return on
their Adjusted  Invested Capital  described under "Equipment Resale Fees" above.
The amount of the  subordinated  incentive fee is 10% of  distributions  of cash
from operations and 15% of distributions  of cash from sales or refinancing.  No
Subordinated Management fees have been paid to date.

General Partners' Interest in Operating Proceeds

Net income, net loss and investment tax credits are allocated 99% to the Limited
Partners and 1% to the general  partners.  See the statements of income included
in the  financial  statements at Item 8 of this report for the amounts of income
allocated to the general and Limited Partners in 1994, 1995 and 1996.


Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
               MANAGEMENT

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

At  December  31,  1996  no  investor  is  known  to  the  Partnership  to  hold
beneficially more than 5% of the issued and outstanding Units.

Security Ownership of Management

The General  Partners  are  beneficial  owners of Limited  Partnership  Units as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  (1)                       (2)                          (3)                       (4)
                                    Name and Address of           Amount and Nature of           Percent
            Title of Class          Beneficial Owner             Beneficial Ownership            of Class

<S>                                 <C>                          <C>                                <C>
Limited Partnership Units           A. J. Batt                   16.5 Units ($8,250)                0.08%
                                    235 Pine Street, 6th Floor   Individual Retirement
                                    San Francisco, CA 94104      Accounts
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

Changes in Control

The Limited Partners have the right, by vote of the Limited Partners owning more
than 50% of the  outstanding  Limited  Partnership  Units,  to  remove a general
partner.

The General Partners may at any time call a meeting of the Limited Partners or a
vote of the  limited  partners  without a meeting,  on matters on which they are
entitled  to vote,  and shall call such  meeting  or for vote  without a meeting
following  receipt of a written request therefor of Limited Partners holding 10%
or more of the total outstanding Limited Partnership Units.

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The responses to Item 8 of this report under the caption  "Financial  Statements
and  Supplemental  Data  -  Notes  to  Financial   Statements  -  Related  Party
Transactions"  at Note 5 thereof  and Item 11 of this  report  under the caption
"Executive Compensation," are hereby incorporated herein by reference.




<PAGE>

                                     PART IV

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

                       (a) Financial Statements and Schedules
                                 1. Financial Statements
                                    Included in Part II of this  report:  Report
                                    of  Independent  Auditors  Balance Sheets at
                                    December  31,  1996 and 1995  Statements  of
                                    Income  for the  years  ended  December  31,
                                    1996, 1995 and 1994 Statements of Changes in
                                    Partners'   Capital   for  the  years  ended
                                    December 31,
                                       1996, 1995 and 1994
                                    Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
                                       December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                    Notes to Financial Statements

                                 2. Financial Statement Schedules
           All                      schedules for which provision is made in the
                                    applicable  accounting  regulations  of  the
                                    Securities  and Exchange  Commission are not
                                    required under the related  instructions  or
                                    are  inapplicable,  and therefore  have been
                                    omitted.

                       (b) Reports on Form 8-K for the fourth quarter of 1996
                                    None

                       (c) Exhibits
          (3) and (4) Agreement of Limited Partnership incorporated by
          reference to Exhibits (3) and (4) to the Partnership's Annual
         Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988 filed
                        March 31, 1989 (File No. 0-16843)






<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.


                     Date: 3/27/1997

                                                    ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND
                        a California Limited Partnership
                                  (Registrant)

                       By: ATEL Financial Corporation,
                           General Partner of Registrant



                               By:  /s/  A. J. Batt
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    A. J. Batt,
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer



                       By: /s/  A. J. Batt
                           --------------------------------------
                           A. J. Batt,
                           General Partner of Registrant,
                           President and Chief Executive
                           Officer of ATEL Financial
                           Corporation (General Partner)




                       By:  /s/ Dean Cash
                           --------------------------------------
                           Dean Cash,
                           General Partner of Registrant,
                           Executive Vice President of ATEL
                           Financial Corporation (General
                           Partner)





<PAGE>

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed  below by the  following  persons in the  capacities  and on the
dates indicated.


SIGNATURE                      CAPACITIES                           DATE



 /s/ A. J. Batt                President, chairman and              3/27/1997
- ---------------------          chief executive officer of
     A. J. Batt                ATEL Financial Corporation



 /s/ Dean Cash                 Executive vice president and         3/27/1997
- ---------------------          director of ATEL Financial
     Dean Cash                 Corporation



 /s/ F. Randall Bigony         Principal financial officer          3/27/1997
- -----------------------        of registrant; principal
     F. Randall Bigony         financial officer of ATEL
                               Financial Corporation



 /s/ Donald E. Carpenter       Principal accounting officer         3/27/1997
- ------------------------       of registrant; principal
     Donald E. Carpenter       accounting officer of ATEL
                               Financial Corporation

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                          5
       
<S>                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                       DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                                     205,418
<SECURITIES>                                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                               47,974
<ALLOWANCES>                                                22,097
<INVENTORY>                                                      0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 0
<PP&E>                                                           0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                             466,002
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            0
<BONDS>                                                          0
                                            0
                                                      0
<COMMON>                                                         0
<OTHER-SE>                                                 298,853
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                               466,002
<SALES>                                                          0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                           208,860
<CGS>                                                            0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                            89,346
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             2,088
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          15,883
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                            101,543
<INCOME-TAX>                                                     0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                        101,543
<DISCONTINUED>                                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                               101,543
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                    0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                    0
        


</TABLE>


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