AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
10-K, 1996-04-01
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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                                                       UNITED STATES
                                            SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                                  Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995

                                                            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              0-16511


               American Income Partners III-A Limited Partnership
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  Massachusetts                                                     04-2962676
(State or other jurisdiction of                                   (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)

  98 N. Washington St., Fifth Floor, Boston, MA                         02114
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)

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

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

     Title of each class              Name of each exchange on which registered



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

            1,009,014 Units Representing Limited Partnership Interest
                                                     (Title of class)


                                                     (Title of class)

         Indicate by check mark  whether  the  registrant  (1) has filed all 
reports  required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities Exchange
Act of 1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  
that the registrant  was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  
subject to such filing  requirements  for the past 90 days.Yes  XX        No

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

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
       Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to security holders for
                   the year ended December 31, 1995 (Part I and II)

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                          -2-
                            AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                    FORM 10-K

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<S>                                                                                                                     <C>
                                                                                                                      Page

                                                          PART I

Item 1.           Business                                                                                               3

Item 2.           Properties                                                                                              5

Item 3.           Legal Proceedings                                                                                      5

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


                                     PART II

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

Item 6.           Selected Financial Data                                                                                7

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

Item 8.           Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                                                            7

Item 9.           Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
                  Disclosure                                                                                              8


                                                         PART III

Item 10.          Directors and Executive Officers of the Partnership                                                     9

Item 11.          Executive Compensation                                                                                 10

Item 12.          Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management                                         11

Item 13.          Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                                                         11


                                     PART IV

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


</TABLE>





PART I

Item 1.  Business.

        (a)  General Development of Business

        AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED  PARTNERSHIP (the  "Partnership")
was organized as a limited  partnership under the Massachusetts  Uniform Limited
Partnership  Act (the  "Uniform  Act")  on April  16,  1987 for the  purpose  of
acquiring  and  leasing  to third  parties a  diversified  portfolio  of capital
equipment. Partners' capital initially consisted of contributions of $1,000 from
the  Managing  General  Partner  (AFG  Leasing  Incorporated)  and $100 from the
Initial  Limited  Partner (AFG  Assignor  Corporation).  On June 29,  1987,  the
Partnership  issued  1,009,014  units,   representing   assignments  of  limited
partnership interests (the "Units") to 2,007 investors. Unit holders and Limited
Partners (other than the Initial Limited Partner) are  collectively  referred to
as Recognized Owners. The 1,009,014 Units include 54 bonus units.  Subsequent to
the  Partnership's  Closing on June 29, 1987, the  Partnership  had five General
Partners:  AFG Leasing Incorporated,  a Massachusetts  corporation,  Kestutis J.
Makaitis,  Daniel J.  Roggemann,  Martin F. Laughlin,  and Geoffrey A. MacDonald
(collectively the "General Partners").  Messrs. Makaitis, Roggemann and Laughlin
subsequently  elected to withdraw as Individual  General  Partners.  The General
Partners,  each of which is affiliated  with American  Finance Group ("AFG"),  a
Massachusetts   partnership,   are  not  required  to  make  any  other  capital
contributions except as may be required under the Uniform Act and Section 6.1(b)
of the Restated  Agreement and  Certificate of Limited  Partnership,  as amended
(the "Restated Agreement").

        (b)  Financial Information About Industry Segments

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

        (c)  Narrative Description of Business

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

        1. Generate quarterly cash distributions;

        2. Preserve and protect invested capital; and

        3. Maintain substantial residual value for ultimate sale.

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

        The Closing  Date of the Offering of Units of the  Partnership  was June
29, 1987. The initial purchase of equipment and the associated lease commitments
occurred on June 29, 1987.  The  acquisition of the equipment and its associated
leases is described in detail in Note 3 to the financial  statements included in
Item 14, herein. The Partnership will terminate no later than June 29, 1998.

        The Partnership has no employees;  however, it entered into a Management
Agreement with AFG (the "Manager").  The Manager's role, among other things,  is
to (i) evaluate, select, negotiate, and consummate the acquisition of equipment,
(ii) manage the leasing,  re-leasing,  financing,  and refinancing of equipment,
and (iii) arrange the resale of equipment.  The Manager is compensated  for such
services as described in the Restated Agreement,  as amended, Item 13 herein and
in Note 4 to the financial statements included in Item 14, herein.

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

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

        Generally,  the Partnership is prohibited from  reinvesting the proceeds
generated by refinancing or selling  equipment.  Accordingly,  it is anticipated
that the  Partnership  will begin to liquidate its portfolio of equipment at the
expiration  of the initial  lease terms and to  distribute  the net  liquidation
proceeds.  As an  alternative  to  sale,  the  Partnership  may  enter  re-lease
agreements when considered  advantageous by the Managing General Partner and the
Manager. In accordance with the Partnership's  stated investment  objectives and
policies,  the  Managing  General  Partner is also  considering  winding-up  the
Partnership's operations, including the liquidation of its entire portfolio.

        Revenue from major individual lessees which accounted for 10% or more of
lease  revenue  during  the years  ended  December  31,  1995,  1994 and 1993 is
incorporated  herein by reference to Note 2 to the  financial  statements in the
1995 Annual Report.  Refer to Item 14(a)(3) for lease  agreements filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

        AFG is a successor to the business of American  Finance  Group,  Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation engaged since its inception in 1980 in various aspects
of the equipment leasing business. In 1990, certain members of AFG's management,
principally  Geoffrey A. MacDonald,  Chief  Executive  Officer and co-founder of
AFG,  established AFG Holdings  (Massachusetts)  Limited Partnership  ("Holdings
Massachusetts") to acquire ownership and control of AFG. Holdings  Massachusetts
effected  this  event by  acquiring  all of the  equity  interests  of AFG's two
partners,  AFG Holdings Illinois Limited Partnership  ("Holdings  Illinois") and
AFG Corporation.  Holdings  Massachusetts  incurred significant  indebtedness to
finance this acquisition, a significant portion of which was scheduled to mature
in 1995.

        On December 16, 1994, the senior lender to Holdings  Massachusetts  (the
"Senior Lender") assumed control of its security  interests in Holdings Illinois
and AFG  Corporation  and sold all such  interests to GDE  Acquisitions  Limited
Partnership,  a Massachusetts  limited partnership owned and controlled entirely
by Gary D. Engle,  President and member of the Executive  Committee of AFG. As a
result of this transaction, GDE Acquisitions Limited Partnership acquired all of
the assets,  rights and  obligations  of AFG from the Senior  Lender and assumed
control of AFG.  Geoffrey A. MacDonald remains as Chief Executive Officer of AFG
and member of its Executive Committee.



<PAGE>


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

        Not applicable.

Item 2.  Properties.

        Incorporated  herein by reference to Note 3 to the financial  statements
in the 1995 Annual Report.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.

        Incorporated  herein by reference to Note 7 to the financial  statements
in the 1995 Annual Report.

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

        None.





<PAGE>


PART II

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

        (a) Market Information

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

        (b) Approximate Number of Security Holders

        At December 31,  1995,  there were 1,792  recordholders  of Units in the
Partnership.

        (c) Dividend History and Restrictions

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

        Distributions in 1995 and 1994 were as follows:
<S>                                                         <C>                      <C>                      <C> 
                                                                                      General                  Recognized
                                                              Total                   Partners                    Owners

Total 1995 distributions                                  $   1,019,205             $      10,192             $   1,009,013

Total 1994 distributions                                      2,038,412                    20,384                 2,018,028

                    Total                                  $  3,057,617            $       30,576              $  3,027,041

</TABLE>

        Distributions  payable at December  31, 1995 and 1994 were  $191,099 and
$509,603, respectively.

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

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

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

        Each   distribution   of   Distributable   Cash  From   Operations   and
Distributable  Cash From Sales or Refinancings of the Partnership  shall be made
99% to the Recognized Owners and 1% to the General Partners until Payout and 85%
to the Recognized Owners and 15% to the General Partners after Payout.

        "Payout" is defined as the first time when the  aggregate  amount of all
distributions to the Recognized Owners of Distributable Cash From Operations and
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings equals the aggregate amount of the
Recognized  Owners'  original  capital  contributions  plus a cumulative  annual
return of 10% (compounded  quarterly and calculated  beginning with the last day
of the month of the  Partnership's  Closing Date) on their aggregate  unreturned
capital  contributions.  For purposes of this definition,  capital contributions
shall be deemed to have been returned only to the extent that  distributions  of
cash to the  Recognized  Owners  exceed  the  amount  required  to  satisfy  the
cumulative annual return of 10% (compounded quarterly) on the Recognized Owners'
aggregate unreturned capital contributions,  such calculation to be based on the
aggregate unreturned capital contributions  outstanding on the first day of each
fiscal quarter.

        Distributable  Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or
Refinancings   ("Distributions")  are  distributed  within  60  days  after  the
completion  of each  quarter,  beginning  with the  first  full  fiscal  quarter
following the  Partnership's  Closing Date. Each  Distribution is described in a
statement sent to the Recognized Owners.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

        Incorporated  herein by  reference  to the  section  entitled  "Selected
Financial Data" in the 1995 Annual Report.

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

        Incorporated  herein by reference to the section entitled  "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the
1995 Annual Report.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

        Incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  the  financial  statements  and
supplementary data included in the 1995 Annual Report.



<PAGE>


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

        None.


<PAGE>


PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Partnership.

        (a-b) Identification of Directors and Executive Officers

        The Partnership has no Directors or Officers.  As indicated in Item 1 of
this report,  AFG Leasing  Incorporated  is the Managing  General Partner of the
Partnership.  Under the Restated  Agreement,  as amended,  the Managing  General
Partner is responsible for the operation of the Partnership's properties and the
Recognized  Owners  have  no  right  to  participate  in  the  control  of  such
operations.  The names,  titles and ages of the Directors and Executive Officers
of the Managing General Partner as of March 15, 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER (See Item 13)
<S>                                                                                                 <C>            <C>          
                Name                                            Title                             Age             Term

Geoffrey A. MacDonald                      Chief Executive Officer,                                              Until a
                                           Chairman and a member of the                                         successor
                                           Executive Committee of AFG and                                        is duly
                                           President and a Director of the                                       elected
                                           Managing General Partner                                47              and
                                                                                                                qualified
Gary D. Engle                              President, Chief Operating
                                           Officer, and a member of the
                                           Executive Committee of AFG                              47

Gary M. Romano                             Vice President and
                                           Controller of AFG and Clerk of the
                                           Managing General Partner                                36

James F. Livesey                           Vice President, Aircraft and Vessels                    46
                                           of AFG

Sandra L. Simonsen                         Vice President, Information Systems                     45
                                           of AFG

        (c) Identification of Certain Significant Persons

        None.

        (d) Family Relationship

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

        (e) Business Experience

        Mr. MacDonald,  age 47 is a co-founder,  Chief Executive Officer,  Chairman and a member of the Executive Committee
of AFG and President and a Director of the Managing  General Partner.  Mr.  MacDonald served as a co-founder,  Director and
Senior Vice  President of AFG's  predecessor  corporation  from 1980 to 1988.  Mr.  MacDonald is Vice President of American
Finance Group  Securities  Corp. and a limited  partner in Atlantic  Acquisition  Limited  Partnership  ("AALP").  Prior to
co-founding  AFG's  predecessor,  Mr.  MacDonald  held  various  executive  and  management  positions  in the  leasing and
pharmaceutical  industries.  Mr.  MacDonald  holds an M.B.A.  from Boston College and a B.A.  degree from the University of
Massachusetts (Amherst).

        Mr. Engle,  age 47 is  President,  Chief  Operating  Officer,  and a member of the  Executive  Committee of AFG and
President  of AFG Realty  Corporation.  Mr.  Engle is Vice  President,  and a Director of certain of AFG's  affiliates.  On
December 16, 1994, Mr. Engle acquired  control of AFG, the Managing  General  Partner and each of AFG's  subsidiaries.  Mr.
Engle  controls  the general  partner of AALP and is also a limited  partner in AALP.  From 1987 to 1990,  Mr.  Engle was a
principal and  co-founder of Cobb Partners  Development,  Inc., a real estate and mortgage  banking  company.  From 1980 to
1987, Mr. Engle was Senior Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer of Arvida Disney  Company,  a large scale community
development  company owned by Walt Disney  Company.  Prior to 1980, Mr. Engle served in various  management  consulting and
institutional  brokerage  capacities.  Mr.  Engle  has an  M.B.A.  from  Harvard  University  and a B.S.  degree  from  the
University of Massachusetts (Amherst).

        Mr.  Romano,  age 36, is Vice  President  and  Controller  of AFG and  certain of its  affiliates  and Clerk of the
Managing  General  Partner.  Mr.  Romano joined AFG in November 1989 and was  appointed  Vice  President and  Controller in
April 1993.  Prior to joining AFG, Mr. Romano was Assistant  Controller for a  privately-held  real estate company which he
joined in 1987.  Mr.  Romano held audit staff and manager  positions at Ernst & Whinney from 1982 to 1986.  Mr. Romano is a
C.P.A. and holds a B.S. degree from Boston College.

        Mr. Livesey,  age 46, is Vice  President,  Aircraft and Vessels,  of AFG. Mr. Livesey joined AFG in October,  1989,
and was  promoted  to Vice  President  in  January,  1992.  Prior to joining  AFG,  Mr.  Livesey  held sales and  marketing
positions  with two  privately-held  equipment  leasing  firms.  Mr.  Livesey holds an M.B.A.  from Boston College and B.A.
degree from Stonehill College.

        Ms. Simonsen, age 45, joined AFG in February 1990 and was promoted to Vice President,  Information Systems in April
1992.  Prior to joining AFG, Ms.  Simonsen was Vice  President,  Information  Systems  with  Investors  Mortgage  Insurance
Company which she joined in 1973. Ms.  Simonsen  provided  systems  consulting  for a subsidiary of American  International
Group and authored a software program published by IBM.  Ms. Simonsen holds a B.A. degree from Wilson College.
</TABLE>

        (f) Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

        None.

        (g) Promoters and Control Persons

        See Item 10 (a-b) above.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

        (a) Cash Compensation

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

        (b) Compensation Pursuant to Plans

        None.

        (c) Other Compensation

        Although the Partnership  has no employees,  as discussed in Item 11(a),
pursuant to section 10.4 of the Restated Agreement,  as amended, the Partnership
incurs a monthly charge for personnel  costs of the Manager for persons  engaged
in providing  administrative  services to the Partnership.  A description of the
remuneration  paid by the  Partnership  to the  Manager  for  such  services  is
included in Item 13, herein and in Note 4 to the financial  statements  included
in Item 14, herein.

        (d) Compensation of Directors

        None.

        (e) Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangement

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

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

        By virtue of its organization as a limited partnership,  the Partnership
has outstanding no securities possessing traditional voting rights.  However, as
provided in Section 11.2(a) of the Restated  Agreement,  as amended  (subject to
Sections  11.2(b) and 11.3), a majority  interest of the Recognized  Owners have
voting rights with respect to:

        1.    Amendment of the Restated Agreement;

        2.    Termination of the Partnership;

        3.    Removal of the General Partners; and

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

        As of March 1, 1996,  the following person or group owns  beneficially more than 5% of the Partnership's  1,009,014
outstanding Units:
<S>                                 <C>                                              <C>                        <C>

                                                      Name and                            Amount                  Percent
              Title                                  Address of                        of Beneficial                of
            of Class                              Beneficial Owner                       Ownership                 Class

       Units Representing           Atlantic Acquisition Limited Partnership
       Limited Partnership                98 North Washington Street                   101,615 Units              10.07%
            Interests                          Boston, MA 02114


        Messrs. Engle and MacDonald have ownership interests in AALP.  See Item 10 of this report.
</TABLE>

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

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

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

        (a) Transactions with Management and Others

     All  operating  expenses  incurred  by the  Partnership  are paid by AFG on
behalf of the  Partnership  and AFG is  reimbursed  at its actual  cost for such
expenditures.  Fees and other costs incurred during the years ended December 31,
1995,  1994 and 1993 which were paid or accrued by the Partnership to AFG or its
Affiliates, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>                      <C>                      <C>            
                                                              1995                      1994                       1993

Equipment management fees                                 $      45,766             $      78,807             $     101,595
Administrative charges                                           21,000                    12,000                    14,955
Reimbursable operating expenses
     due to third parties                                        87,376                   130,296                    89,336

                               Total                      $     154,142             $     221,103             $     205,886

</TABLE>

        As  provided  under  the  terms  of  the  Management  Agreement,  AFG is
compensated  for its  services to the  Partnership.  Such  services  include all
aspects  of  acquisition,  management  and sale of  equipment.  For  acquisition
services, AFG is compensated by an amount equal to 4.75% of Equipment Base Price
paid by the  Partnership.  For  management  services,  AFG is  compensated by an
amount  equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of gross lease rental  revenues  earned by
the  Partnership  or (ii) fees which the  Managing  General  Partner  reasonably
believes to be competitive for similar services for similar  equipment.  Both of
these  fees  are  subject  to  certain  limitations  defined  in the  Management
Agreement.  Compensation to AFG for services  connected to the sale of equipment
is calculated as the lesser of (i) 3% of gross sale proceeds or (ii) one-half of
reasonable  brokerage fees otherwise  payable under arm's length  circumstances.
Payment  of the  remarketing  fee is  subordinated  to Payout  and is subject to
certain limitations defined in the Management Agreement.

        Administrative  charges  represent  amounts  owed  to AFG,  pursuant  to
Section 10.4 of the Restated Agreement,  as amended, for persons employed by AFG
who  are  engaged  in  providing  administrative  services  to the  Partnership.
Reimbursable operating expenses due to third parties represent costs paid by AFG
on behalf of the Partnership which are reimbursed to AFG.

        All equipment was purchased from AFG, one of its  affiliates,  including
other equipment leasing programs sponsored by AFG, or from third-party  sellers.
The Partnership's  Purchase Price was determined by the method described in Note
2, included in Item 14, herein.

        All rents and proceeds  from the sale of equipment  are paid directly to
either  AFG or to a  lender.  AFG  temporarily  deposits  collected  funds  in a
separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to the Partnership.
At December 31, 1995, the  Partnership was owed $3,717 by AFG for such funds and
the interest  thereon.  These funds were remitted to the  Partnership in January
1996.

         On August 18, 1995, Atlantic Acquisition Limited Partnership  ("AALP"),
a newly formed Massachusetts limited partnership owned and controlled by certain
principals of AFG,  commenced a voluntary cash Tender Offer (the "Offer") for up
to  approximately  45% of the outstanding  units of limited partner  interest in
this  Partnership and 20 affiliated  partnerships  sponsored and managed by AFG.
The  Offer  was  subsequently  amended  and  supplemented  in order  to  provide
additional  disclosure  to  unitholders;  increase the offer  price;  reduce the
number of units sought to approximately 35% of the outstanding units; and extend
the expiration date of the Offer to October 20, 1995. Following  commencement of
the Offer,  certain legal actions were initiated by interested  persons  against
AALP, each of the general partners (4 in total) of the 21 affected programs, and
various other affiliates and related parties. One action, a class action brought
in the United  States  District  Court for the  District of  Massachusetts  (the
"Court") on behalf of the unitholders  (limited partners),  sought to enjoin the
Offer and obtain  unspecified  monetary damages. A settlement of this litigation
was approved by the Court on November 15, 1995. A second class  action,  brought
in the  Superior  Court of the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  (the  "Superior
Court") seeking to enjoin the Offer,  obtain unspecified  monetary damages,  and
intervene in the first class action,  was dismissed by the Superior  Court.  The
Plaintiffs  have filed an appeal in this matter.  The  Recognized  Owners of the
Partnership  tendered  approximately  101,615  units  or  10.07%  of  the  total
outstanding  units of the Partnership to AALP. The operations of the Partnership
are not expected to be adversely affected by these proceedings or settlements.



<PAGE>


        (b) Certain Business Relationships

        None.

        (c) Indebtedness of Management to the Partnership

        None.

        (d) Transactions with Promoters

        See Item 13(a) above.



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                     <C>

PART IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.

        (a)  Documents filed as part of this report:

             (1)         Financial Statements:

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

                         Statement of Financial Position
                         at December 31, 1995 and 1994....................................................................*

                         Statement of Operations
                         for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.............................................*

                         Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital
                         for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.............................................*

                         Statement of Cash Flows
                         for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.............................................*

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

             (2)         Financial Statement Schedules:

                         None required.

             (3)         Exhibits:

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

           Exhibit
           Number

            4            Amended and Restated  Agreement and  Certificate of Limited  Partnership  included as Exhibit A to
                         the Prospectus which is included in Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-11160).

           13            The 1995 Annual Report to security  holders,  a copy of
                         which  is  furnished   for  the   information   of  the
                         Securities and Exchange Commission. Such Report, except
                         for  those  portions  thereof  which  are  incorporated
                         herein by  reference,  is not deemed  "filed"  with the
                         Commission.

           23            Consent of Independent Auditors.

           99            (a) Lease agreement with Northwest Airlines,  Inc., was
                         filed in the  Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K
                         for the year ended  December 31, 1992 as Exhibit 28 (b)
                         and is incorporated herein by reference

           99            (b) Lease  agreement with ING Aviation  Lease, is filed
                         in the Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                         year ended December 31, 1995 and included herein.



*  Incorporated  herein by reference to the appropriate  portion of the 1995 Annual Report to security holders for the year
   ended December 31, 1995. (See Part II)
</TABLE>

        (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

        None.


<PAGE>




                                                                     Exhibit 23

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form
10-K) of American Income Partners III-A Limited  Partnership of our report dated
March 12, 1996,  included in the 1995 Annual  Report to the Partners of American
Income Partners III-A Limited Partnership.






                                                              ERNST & YOUNG LLP






Boston, Massachusetts
March 12, 1996


<PAGE>


SUPPLEMENTAL  INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION
15(D) OF THE ACT BY REGISTRANTS WHICH HAVE NOT REGISTERED SECURITIES PURSUANT TO
SECTION 12 OF THE ACT.

         No annual report has been sent to the Recognized  Owners. A report will
be furnished to the Recognized Owners subsequent to the date hereof.

         No proxy statement has been or will be sent to the Recognized Owners.


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>



                                                        SIGNATURES


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


                                    AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


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







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



Date:    March 29, 1996                                                         Date:   March 29, 1996




By:  /s/ Gary M. Romano
Gary M. Romano
Vice President and Controller
of AFG and Clerk of the Managing General
Partner
(Principal Accounting Officer)



Date:    March 29, 1996

</TABLE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          -1-

                         AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                       INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT TO THE PARTNERS
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>



                                                                                                                      Page

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA                                                                                                   2

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                                                                                     3-6


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

Report of Independent Auditors                                                                                            7

Statement of Financial Position
at December 31, 1995 and 1994                                                                                             8

Statement of Operations
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993                                                                      9

Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993                                                                     10

Statement of Cash Flows
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993                                                                     11

Notes to the Financial Statements                                                                                     12-20



ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Schedule of Excess (Deficiency) of Total Cash
Generated to Cost of Equipment Disposed                                                                                  21

Statement of Cash and Distributable Cash
From Operations, Sales and Refinancings                                                                                  22

Schedule of Costs  Reimbursed to the Managing General Partner and its Affiliates
as  Required  by  Section  10.4  of  the  Amended  and  Restated  Agreement  and
Certificate of
Limited Partnership                                                                                                      23

</TABLE>





<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                             SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The  following  data  should be read in  conjunction  with  Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the
financial statements.

        For each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 1995:

<S>                           <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>            
      Summary of
       Operations                1995               1994                1993                1992                 1991

Lease revenue               $         915,325   $      1,576,139    $      2,031,903    $      4,039,951     $      5,297,113
Net income (loss)           $        (376,288)  $         682,540   $         194,656   $     (1,016,535)   $        (314,002)
Per Unit:
      Net income (loss)     $                   $                   $                   $                   $
                            (0.37)              0.67                0.19                (1.00)              (0.31)

      Cash distributions    $                   $                   $                   $                   $
                            1.00                2.00                2.00                1.50                2.06


            Financial

   Position

   Total assets             $       3,803,973   $      5,703,303    $      7,468,387    $      9,875,321     $    15,740,678

   Total long-term
      obligations           $                   $         245,685   $         560,198   $      1,186,537    $      4,250,940
                                       8,904

   Partners' capital        $       3,491,454   $      4,886,947    $      6,242,819    $      8,086,575     $    10,631,919


</TABLE>

<PAGE>


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

                                   Year ended  December  31, 1995  compared to
                            the year  ended  December  31,  1994 and the year
                             ended December 31, 1994
                            compared to the year ended December 31, 1993

Overview

         As an equipment  leasing  partnership,  American  Income Partners III-A
Limited  Partnership (the  "Partnership") was organized to acquire a diversified
portfolio of capital  equipment  subject to lease agreements with third parties.
The  Partnership  was  designed  to progress  through  three  principal  phases:
acquisitions, operations, and liquidation. During the operations phase, a period
of  approximately  six  years,  all  equipment  in the  Partnership's  portfolio
progresses  through various stages.  Initially,  all equipment  generates rental
revenues  under  primary  term  lease   agreements.   During  the  life  of  the
Partnership, these agreements expire on an intermittent basis and equipment held
pursuant to the related  leases are  renewed,  re-leased  or sold,  depending on
prevailing  market  conditions and the assessment of such conditions by American
Finance Group ("AFG") to obtain the most  advantageous  economic  benefit.  Over
time,  a greater  portion  of the  Partnership's  original  equipment  portfolio
becomes  available for  remarketing  and cash generated from operations and from
sales or  refinancings  begins to fluctuate.  Ultimately,  all equipment will be
sold and the Partnership will be dissolved. In accordance with the Partnership's
stated  investment  objectives  and policies,  the Managing  General  Partner is
considering the winding-up of the Partnership's  operations,  the liquidation of
its entire portfolio. The Partnership's operations commenced in 1987.

Results of Operations

        For the year ended December 31, 1995, the Partnership  recognized  lease
revenue of $915,325  compared to $1,576,139  and  $2,031,903 for the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively.  The decrease in lease revenue between
1993 and 1995 was  expected and  resulted  principally  from primary and renewal
lease term  expirations and the sale of equipment.  The  Partnership  also earns
interest  income from  temporary  investments  of rental  receipts and equipment
sales proceeds in short-term instruments.

         The Partnership's  equipment portfolio includes certain assets in which
the Partnership  holds a proportionate  ownership  interest.  In such cases, the
remaining interests are owned by AFG or an affiliated  equipment leasing program
sponsored by AFG.  Proportionate  equipment ownership enables the Partnership to
further  diversify its equipment  portfolio by participating in the ownership of
selected assets,  thereby reducing the general levels of risk which could result
from a  concentration  in any single  equipment  type,  industry or lessee.  The
Partnership  and each  affiliate  individually  report,  in  proportion to their
respective ownership interests, their respective shares of assets,  liabilities,
revenues, and expenses associated with the equipment.

         In  1995,  the   Partnership   sold  equipment  which  had  been  fully
depreciated to existing lessees and third parties. These sales resulted in a net
gain, for financial  statement  purposes,  of $170,679 compared to a net gain in
1994 of $269,648, on equipment having a net book value of $88,268 and a net gain
in 1993 of $682,980, on equipment having a net book value of $52,421.

         It cannot be determined  whether  future sales of equipment will result
in a net gain or a net loss to the  Partnership,  as such  transactions  will be
dependent  upon  the  condition  and  type  of  equipment  being  sold  and  its
marketability  at the time of sale.  In  addition,  the  amount  of gain or loss
reported for financial  statement purposes is partly a function of the amount of
accumulated depreciation associated with the equipment being sold.

         The ultimate realization of residual value for any type of equipment is
dependent  upon many  factors,  including  AFG's  ability  to sell and  re-lease
equipment. Changing market conditions,  industry trends, technological advances,
and many other  events can  converge to enhance or detract  from asset values at
any given  time.  AFG  attempts  to monitor  these  changes in order to identify
opportunities  which may be  advantageous  to the  Partnership  and  which  will
maximize total cash returns for each asset.
         The total economic value realized upon final  disposition of each asset
is  comprised  of all primary  lease term  revenues  generated  from that asset,
together with its residual value. The latter consists of cash proceeds  realized
upon the  asset's  sale in  addition to all other cash  receipts  obtained  from
renting  the  asset  on  a  re-lease,   renewal  or  month-to-month  basis.  The
Partnership   classifies   such  residual  rental  payments  as  lease  revenue.
Consequently, the amount of gain or loss reported in the financial statements is
not necessarily  indicative of the total residual value the Partnership achieved
from leasing the equipment.

         Depreciation  expense was $599,372,  $976,507,  and  $2,291,765 for the
years ended  December  31,  1995,  1994 and 1993,  respectively.  For  financial
reporting  purposes,  to the extent that an asset is held on primary lease term,
the Partnership depreciates the difference between (i) the cost of the asset and
(ii) the estimated  residual  value of the asset on a  straight-line  basis over
such term.  For purposes of this policy,  estimated  residual  values  represent
estimates of equipment  values at the date of primary lease  expiration.  To the
extent  that an asset is held beyond its primary  lease  term,  the  Partnership
continues  to  depreciate  the  remaining  net  book  value  of the  asset  on a
straight-line basis over the asset's remaining economic life. (See Note 2 to the
financial statements herein.)

         The  Partnership  recorded a write-down  of the  carrying  value of its
interest in an L1011-50  aircraft  representing  an impairment,  during the year
ended  December 31, 1995.  The  resulting  charge,  $734,600  ($0.72 per limited
partnership  unit)  in 1995 was  based  on a  comparison  of the  estimated  net
realizable value and corresponding carrying value for the Partnership's interest
in the aircraft.

         Net realizable value was estimated based on (I) third-party  appraisals
of the  Partnership's  aircraft and (ii) AFG's  assessment of prevailing  market
conditions  for  similar  aircraft.  In recent  years,  market  values  for used
commercial jet aircraft have  deteriorated.  Consistent  price  competition  and
other   pressures   within  the  airline   industry  have  inhibited   sustained
profitability  for many  carriers.  Most major  airlines have had to re-evaluate
their  aircraft  fleets and operating  strategies.  Such issues  complicate  the
determination  of net realizable value for specific  aircraft,  and particularly
used  aircraft,  because  cost-benefit  and  market  considerations  may  differ
significantly  between  major  airlines.   Aircraft  condition,  age,  passenger
capacity, distance capability, fuel efficiency, and other factors also influence
market demand and market value for passenger jet aircraft.

         Interest  expense was $2,095 or less than 1% of lease  revenue in 1995,
$9,855 or less than 1% of lease  revenue in 1994,  and  $54,907 or 2.7% of lease
revenue in 1993.  In the  future,  interest  expense  will be minimal due to the
scheduled maturity of the Partnership's debt obligations in 1996.

         Management  fees were 5% of lease  revenue  in each of the years  ended
December  31, 1995,  1994 and 1993 and will not change as a percentage  of lease
revenue in future years.

         Operating  expenses  consist  principally  of  administrative  charges,
professional  service costs,  such as audit and legal fees, as well as printing,
distribution and remarketing  expenses.  In certain cases,  equipment storage or
repairs and maintenance costs may be incurred in connection with equipment being
remarketed.  Collectively,  operating expenses represented  approximately 11.8%,
9%, and 5.1% of lease revenue in 1995,  1994 and 1993,  respectively.  Operating
expenses in 1994 include  repair and  maintenance  costs  incurred in connection
with the re-lease of an L1011-50 aircraft to a third party. The amount of future
operating  expenses cannot be predicted with certainty;  however,  such expenses
are  usually  higher  during  the  acquisition  and  liquidation   phases  of  a
partnership.  Other  fluctuations  typically occur in relation to the volume and
timing of remarketing activities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources and Discussion of Cash Flows

         The  Partnership  by its  nature is a  limited  life  entity  which was
established for specific purposes described in the preceding  "Overview".  As an
equipment leasing program,  the  Partnership's  principal  operating  activities
derive from asset rental transactions.  Accordingly, the Partnership's principal
source of cash from  operations is provided by the collection of periodic rents.
These cash inflows are used to satisfy debt service obligations  associated with
leveraged  leases,  and to pay management  fees and operating  costs.  Operating
activities generated net cash inflows of $1,114,799,  $1,344,655, and $2,727,721
in 1995, 1994 and 1993,  respectively.  Future  renewal,  re-lease and equipment
sale activities will cause a gradual decline in the Partnership's lease revenues
and corresponding  sources of operating cash. Overall,  expenses associated with
rental  activities,  such as management  fees,  and net cash flow from operating
activities  will decline as the  Partnership  experiences a higher  frequency of
remarketing events.

         During  1995,  the  Partnership  and  other  affiliated   partnerships,
executed a  renegotiated  and extended  lease  agreement in connection  with two
DC-10-40 aircraft leased by Northwest Airlines, Inc. ("Northwest").  Pursuant to
the agreement,  Northwest will continue to lease these aircraft until  September
3, 2000. The  Partnership,  which owns a 1.84% interest in these aircraft,  will
receive $55,080 each year through  December 31, 1999 and $41,310 during the year
ending December 31, 2000.

         Ultimately,  the  Partnership  will  dispose of all assets under lease.
This will occur principally through sale transactions whereby each asset will be
sold to the existing lessee or to a third party. Generally, this will occur upon
expiration  of  each  asset's  primary  or  renewal/re-lease  term.  In  certain
instances, casualty or early termination events may result in the disposal of an
asset. Such circumstances are infrequent and usually result in the collection of
stipulated cash  settlements  pursuant to terms and conditions  contained in the
underlying lease agreements.

         Cash expended for equipment  acquisitions  and cash realized from asset
disposal   transactions   are  reported  under   investing   activities  on  the
accompanying  Statement  of Cash Flows.  In 1994,  the  Partnership  capitalized
$16,420 in connection with an upgrade of the L1011-50 aircraft. During 1995, the
Partnership  realized  $170,679 in equipment sale proceeds  compared to $357,916
and $735,401 in 1994 and 1993,  respectively.  Future inflows of cash from asset
disposals  will vary in timing and amount and will be influenced by many factors
including,  but not limited to, the frequency  and timing of lease  expirations,
the type of equipment  being sold,  its  condition  and age,  and future  market
conditions.

         The Partnership obtained long-term financing in connection with certain
equipment  leases.  The  origination  of such  indebtedness  and the  subsequent
repayments of principal are reported as components of financing activities. Cash
inflows  of  $182,044  in  1993  resulted  from  leveraging  a  portion  of  the
Partnership's  equipment  portfolio with third-party  lenders. No leveragings of
equipment occurred in 1995 or 1994.

         Each note payable is recourse only to the specific  equipment  financed
and to the minimum  rental  payments  contracted to be received  during the debt
amortization  period (which  period  generally  coincides  with the lease rental
term). As rental payments are collected,  a portion or all of the rental payment
is used to repay the associated  indebtedness.  The Partnership's  notes payable
will be fully amortized in 1996.

         Cash  distributions  to the Recognized  Owners and General Partners are
declared  and  generally  paid within  fifteen  days  following  the end of each
calendar quarter.  The payment of such distributions is presented as a component
of financing  activities.  For the year ended December 31, 1995, the Partnership
declared total cash  distributions  of  Distributable  Cash From  Operations and
Distributable Cash From Sales and Refinancings of $1,019,205. In accordance with
the Amended and Restated  Agreement and Certificate of Limited  Partnership (the
"Restated Agreement,  as amended"),  the Recognized Owners were allocated 99% of
these distributions,  or $1,009,013, and the General Partners were allocated 1%,
or $10,192.  The fourth quarter 1995 cash  distribution  was paid on January 22,
1996.

         Cash distributions paid to the Partners consist of both a return of and
a return on capital. To the extent that cash distributions  consist of Cash From
Sales or Refinancings,  substantially all of such cash  distributions  should be
viewed as a return of capital.  Cash  distributions do not represent and are not
indicative  of  yield  on  investment.  Actual  yield on  investment  cannot  be
determined  with any certainty  until  conclusion of the Partnership and will be
dependent upon the collection of all future  contracted rents, the generation of
renewal and/or re-lease rents, and the residual value realized for each asset at
its disposal date. Future market conditions,  technological changes, the ability
of  AFG  to  manage  and  remarket  the  assets,   and  many  other  events  and
circumstances,  could  enhance or detract from  individual  asset yields and the
collective performance of the Partnership's equipment portfolio.

         The future  liquidity  of the  Partnership  will be  influenced  by the
foregoing and will be greatly dependent upon the collection of contractual rents
and the outcome of residual activities. The Managing General Partner anticipates
that cash proceeds  resulting from these sources will satisfy the  Partnership's
future  expense   obligations.   However,  the  amount  of  cash  available  for
distribution in future periods will fluctuate.  Equipment lease  expirations and
asset disposals will cause the Partnership's net cash from operating  activities
to diminish  over time;  and  equipment  sale  proceeds  will vary in amount and
period of  realization.  In addition,  the  Partnership may be required to incur
asset  refurbishment  or upgrade  costs in  connection  with future  remarketing
activities.   Accordingly,   fluctuations   in  the  level  of  quarterly   cash
distributions will occur during the life of the Partnership.


<PAGE>


                                              REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


To the Partners of American Income Partners III-A Limited Partnership:

         We have audited the  accompanying  statements of financial  position of
American Income  Partners III-A Limited  Partnership as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, and the related  statements of operations,  changes in partners'  capital,
and cash flows for each of the three  years in the  period  ended  December  31,
1995. 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 American  Income
Partners  III-A  Limited  Partnership  at December  31,  1995 and 1994,  and the
results of its  operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

         Our audits were  conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the
basic  financial   statements  taken  as  a  whole.  The  Additional   Financial
Information  identified  in the  Index  to  Annual  Report  to the  Partners  is
presented for purposes of additional  analysis and is not a required part of the
basic financial statements.  Such information has been subjected to the auditing
procedures  applied in our audits of the basic financial  statements and, in our
opinion,  is fairly  stated in all  material  respects  in relation to the basic
financial statements taken as a whole.





                                                              ERNST & YOUNG LLP






Boston, Massachusetts
March 12, 1996


<PAGE>



                           The accompanying notes are an integral part

                                            of these financial statements.

                                                         -11-
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                         STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
                           December 31, 1995 and 1994
<S>                                                                        <C>                                <C>



   ASSETS                                                                     1995                             1994

   Cash and cash equivalents                                                $     530,418                    $     819,430

   Rents receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
        accounts of $97,000 and $140,000 at
        December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively                                   13,711                          147,870

   Accounts receivable - affiliate                                                  3,717                          145,904

   Equipment at cost, net of accumulated
        depreciation of $7,354,059 and $9,246,109
        at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively                             3,256,127                        4,590,099

            Total assets                                                     $  3,803,973                     $  5,703,303


   LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL

   Notes payable                                                          $         8,904                    $     245,685
   Accrued interest                                                                    27                            5,627
   Accrued liabilities                                                             42,500                           15,500
   Accrued liabilities - affiliate                                                 19,181                            2,776
   Deferred rental income                                                          50,808                           37,165
   Cash distributions payable to partners                                         191,099                          509,603

            Total liabilities                                                     312,519                          816,356

   Partners' capital (deficit):
        General Partners                                                         (186,830)                        (172,875)
        Limited Partnership Interests (1,009,014
        Units; initial purchase price of $25 each)                              3,678,284                        5,059,822

            Total partners' capital                                             3,491,454                        4,886,947

            Total liabilities and partners' capital                          $  3,803,973                     $  5,703,303

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                  AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                             STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
              for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993

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


                                                            1995                      1994                      1993
Income:
     Lease revenue                                        $    915,325                $ 1,576,139               $ 2,031,903
     Interest income                                            27,917                     44,218                    32,331
     Gain on sale of equipment                                 170,679                    269,648                   682,980
         Total income                                        1,113,921                  1,890,005                 2,747,214

Expenses:

     Depreciation                               599,372                         976,507               2,291,765

      Write-down of equipment                                  734,600                         --                        --

     Interest expense                                            2,095                      9,855     54,907

     Equipment management
         fees - affiliate                                       45,766                     78,807                   101,595

     Operating expenses - affiliate                            108,376                    142,296                   104,291
         Total expenses                                      1,490,209                  1,207,465                 2,552,558


Net income (loss)                                         $   (376,288)              $    682,540              $    194,656


Net income (loss)
     per limited partnership unit                     $         (0.37)           $          0.67           $          0.19

Cash distributions declared
     per limited partnership unit                    $          1.00            $          2.00           $          2.00


</TABLE>


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                         STATEMENT   OF  CHANGES  IN   PARTNERS'
                                   CAPITAL  for the  years  ended  December  31,
                                   1995, 1994 and 1993
<S>                                               <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>            


                                                General
                                                Partners                   Recognized Owners

                                                 Amount                Units               Amount              Total

Balance at December 31, 1992                   $    (140,879)            1,009,014         $ 8,227,454          $  8,086,575
                                                        5,489
Net income - 1993                                      1,947                    --             192,709               194,656

Cash distributions declared                          (20,384)                   --          (2,018,028)           (2,038,412)

Balance at December 31, 1993                        (159,316)            1,009,014           6,402,135             6,242,819

Net income - 1994                                      6,825                    --             675,715               682,540

Cash distributions declared                          (20,384)                   --          (2,018,028)           (2,038,412)

Balance at December 31, 1994                        (172,875)            1,009,014           5,059,822             4,886,947

Net loss - 1995                                       (3,763)                   --            (372,525)             (376,288)

Cash distributions declared                          (10,192)                   --          (1,009,013)           (1,019,205)

Balance at December 31, 1995                   $    (186,830)            1,009,014         $ 3,678,284           $ 3,491,454


</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                             STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
              for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993

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

                                                                     1995                  1994                  1993

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities:
Net income (loss)                                                  $    (376,288)        $     682,540         $     194,656

Adjustments  to  reconcile  net  income  (loss)  to  net  cash  from   operating
     activities:
         Depreciation                                                    599,372               976,507             2,291,765
             Write-down of equipment                                     734,600                    --                    --
         Gain on sale of equipment                                      (170,679)             (269,648)             (682,980)
         Decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts                     (43,000)              (45,000)                   --

Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Decrease (increase) in:
         rents receivable                                                177,159               135,776                90,630
         accounts receivable - affiliate                                 142,187               (40,821)              897,890
     Increase (decrease) in:
         accrued interest                                                 (5,600)              (17,914)              (12,786)
         accrued liabilities                                              27,000               (48,500)               (8,500)
         accrued liabilities - affiliate                                  16,405                (9,886)               (7,500)
         deferred rental income                                           13,643               (18,399)              (35,454)

             Net cash from operating activities                        1,114,799             1,344,655             2,727,721

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities:
     Purchase of equipment                                                    --               (16,420)                  --
     Proceeds from equipment sales                                       170,679                357,916              735,401

             Net cash from investing activities                          170,679               341,496               735,401
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:
     Proceeds from notes payable                                              --                    --               182,044
     Principal payments - notes payable                                 (236,781)             (314,513)             (808,383)
     Distributions paid                                               (1,337,709)           (2,038,412)           (1,911,011)

             Net cash used in financing activities                    (1,574,490)           (2,352,925)           (2,537,350)

Net increase (decrease) in cash
     and cash equivalents                                               (289,012)             (666,774)              925,772

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                           819,430             1,486,204               560,432

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                           $     530,418         $     819,430          $  1,486,204


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
     Cash paid during the year for interest                      $         7,695        $       27,769        $       67,693

</TABLE>


<PAGE>





                                                       -23-
                        AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                        Notes to the Financial Statements

                                December 31, 1995




NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND PARTNERSHIP MATTERS

         The  Partnership  was  organized  as a  limited  partnership  under the
Massachusetts  Uniform Limited  Partnership Act (the "Uniform Act") on April 16,
1987,  for the purpose of acquiring  and leasing to third  parties a diversified
portfolio  of  capital  equipment.  Partners'  capital  initially  consisted  of
contributions   of  $1,000  from  the  Managing  General  Partner  (AFG  Leasing
Incorporated)   and  $100  from  the  Initial   Limited  Partner  (AFG  Assignor
Corporation).   On  June  29,  1987  the  Partnership  issued  1,009,014  units,
representing assignments of limited partnership interests (the "Units") to 2,007
investors.  Unitholders  and Limited  Partners  (other than the Initial  Limited
Partner) are collectively  referred to as Recognized Owners. The 1,009,014 Units
include 54 bonus  units.  Subsequent  to the  Partnership's  Closing on June 29,
1987, the Partnership had five General  Partners:  AFG Leasing  Incorporated,  a
Massachusetts corporation,  Kestutis J. Makaitis, Daniel J. Roggemann, Martin F.
Laughlin  and  Geoffrey A.  MacDonald  (collectively  the  "General  Partners").
Messrs.  Makaitis,  Roggemann and Laughlin  subsequently  elected to withdraw as
Individual General Partners.  The General Partners,  each of which is affiliated
with American  Finance  Group  ("AFG"),  a  Massachusetts  partnership,  are not
required to make any other capital  contributions to the Partnership,  except as
may be required  under the  Uniform  Act and  Section  6.1(b) of the Amended and
Restated  Agreement  and  Certificate  of  Limited  Partnership  (the  "Restated
Agreement, as amended").

         AFG is a successor to the business of American  Finance Group,  Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation engaged since its inception in 1980 in various aspects
of the equipment leasing business. In 1990, certain members of AFG's management,
principally  Geoffrey A. MacDonald,  Chief  Executive  Officer and co-founder of
AFG,  established AFG Holdings  (Massachusetts)  Limited Partnership  ("Holdings
Massachusetts") to acquire ownership and control of AFG. Holdings  Massachusetts
effected  this  event by  acquiring  all of the  equity  interests  of AFG's two
partners,  AFG Holdings Illinois Limited Partnership  ("Holdings  Illinois") and
AFG Corporation.  Holdings  Massachusetts  incurred significant  indebtedness to
finance this acquisition, a significant portion of which was scheduled to mature
in 1995.

         On December 16, 1994, the senior lender to Holdings  Massachusetts (the
"Senior Lender") assumed control of its security  interests in Holdings Illinois
and AFG  Corporation  and sold all such  interests to GDE  Acquisitions  Limited
Partnership,  a Massachusetts  limited partnership owned and controlled entirely
by Gary D. Engle,  President and member of the Executive  Committee of AFG. As a
result of this transaction, GDE Acquisitions Limited Partnership acquired all of
the assets,  rights and  obligations  of AFG from the Senior  Lender and assumed
control of AFG.  Geoffrey A. MacDonald remains as Chief Executive Officer of AFG
and member of its Executive Committee.

         Significant  operations  commenced  June 29, 1987 when the  Partnership
made its initial  equipment  purchase.  Pursuant to the Restated  Agreement,  as
amended, Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or
Refinancings  will  be  allocated  99% to the  Recognized  Owners  and 1% to the
General  Partners until Payout and 85% to the  Recognized  Owners and 15% to the
General Partners after Payout. Payout will occur when the Recognized Owners have
received  distributions  equal to their  original  investment  plus a cumulative
annual return of 10% (compounded quarterly) on undistributed invested capital.

         Under the terms of a Management  Agreement  between the Partnership and
AFG,  management  services are provided by AFG to the  Partnership at fees which
the Managing  General Partner  believes to be competitive for similar  services.
(Also see Note 4.)




<PAGE>





                         AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                        Notes to the Financial Statements

                                   (Continued)



NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Statement of Cash Flows

         The Partnership considers liquid investment  instruments purchased with
a maturity of three  months or less to be cash  equivalents.  From time to time,
the Partnership  invests excess cash with large  institutional  banks in reverse
repurchase  agreements  with  overnight  maturities.  Under  the  terms  of  the
agreements,  title to the underlying  securities passes to the Partnership.  The
securities underlying the agreements are book entry securities.  At December 31,
1995, the Partnership  had $525,000  invested in reverse  repurchase  agreements
secured by U.S. Treasury Bills or interests in U.S. Government securities.

Revenue Recognition

         Rents  are   payable  to  the   Partnership   monthly,   quarterly   or
semi-annually  and no  significant  amounts are calculated on factors other than
the passage of time.  The leases are accounted  for as operating  leases and are
noncancellable.  Rents  received  prior to their due dates are deferred.  Future
minimum rents of $1,234,458 are due as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>  
                For the year ending December 31, 1996                         $   630,624
                                                 1997                             447,289
                                                 1998                              57,980
                                                 1999                              57,255
                                                 2000                              41,310

                                                Total                          $1,234,458

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         Revenue from major  individual  lessees which accounted for 10% or more of lease revenue in each of the past three
years is as follows:
<S>                                                              <C>                      <C>
                                                                      1995                  1994                  1993

Northwest Airlines, Inc.                                        $        360,285      $       441,827       $       523,635
ING Aviation Lease                                              $        176,874                   --                    --

</TABLE>

         During  1995,  the  Partnership  and  other  affiliated   partnerships,
executed a  renegotiated  and extended  lease  agreement in connection  with two
DC-10-40 aircraft leased by Northwest Airlines, Inc. ("Northwest").  Pursuant to
the agreement,  Northwest will continue to lease these aircraft until  September
3, 2000. The  Partnership  which owns a 1.84% interest in these  aircraft,  will
receive $55,080 each year through  December 31, 1999 and $41,310 during the year
ending December 31, 2000.

         During 1994, the Managing  General Partner lowered the aggregate amount
reserved against potentially  uncollectable rents to $140,000.  This resulted in
an increase to lease revenue of $45,000 in 1994.  During 1995,  this reserve was
further reduced to $97,000  resulting in an increase to lease revenue of $43,000
in 1995. It cannot be determined  whether the Partnership  will recover any past
due rents in the future;  however,  the Managing General Partner will pursue the
collection of all such items.

Use of Estimates

         The  preparation  of  the  financial   statements  in  conformity  with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles  requires the use of  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect the amounts  reported in the financial  statements  and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Equipment on Lease

         All equipment was acquired from AFG, one of its  affiliates,  including
other equipment leasing programs sponsored by AFG, or from third-party  sellers.
Equipment  cost  represents  asset  base  price  plus  acquisition  fees and was
determined in accordance with the Restated  Agreement,  as amended,  and certain
regulatory  guidelines.  Asset base price is affected by the relationship of the
seller  to the  Partnership  as  summarized  herein.  Where  the  seller  of the
equipment  was AFG or an  affiliate,  asset  base price was the lower of (i) the
actual  price paid for the  equipment  by AFG or the  affiliate  plus all actual
costs accrued by AFG or the  affiliate  while  carrying the  equipment  less the
amount  of all  rents  earned  by AFG or the  affiliate  prior  to  selling  the
equipment  or (ii) fair  market  value as  determined  by the  Managing  General
Partner  in its best  judgment,  including  all  liens and  encumbrances  on the
equipment  and other actual  expenses.  Where the seller of the  equipment was a
third  party who did not  manufacture  the  equipment,  asset base price was the
lower of (i) the price  invoiced by the third party or (ii) fair market value as
determined by the Managing  General  Partner.  Where the seller of the equipment
was a third party who also manufactured the equipment,  asset base price was the
manufacturer's invoice price, which price was considered to be representative of
fair market value.

Depreciation

         The Partnership's  depreciation policy is intended to allocate the cost
of equipment  over the period  during which it produces  economic  benefit.  The
principal period of economic benefit is considered to correspond to each asset's
primary  lease  term,  which term  generally  represents  the period of greatest
revenue  potential for each asset.  Accordingly,  to the extent that an asset is
held on primary lease term, the Partnership  depreciates the difference  between
(i) the cost of the asset and (ii) the estimated  residual value of the asset on
a  straight-line  basis over such term.  For purposes of this policy,  estimated
residual values  represent  estimates of equipment values at the date of primary
lease  expiration.  To the extent that an asset is held beyond its primary lease
term,  the  Partnership  continues to depreciate the remaining net book value of
the asset on a  straight-line  basis over the asset's  remaining  economic life.
Periodically,  the Managing General Partner  evaluates the net carrying value of
equipment  to  determine  whether it exceeds  estimated  net  realizable  value.
Adjustments  to reduce the net carrying value of equipment are recorded in those
instances where estimated net realizable value is considered to be less than net
carrying value.  Such  adjustments are reflected  separately on the accompanying
Statement of Operations as Write-Down of Equipment.

         The ultimate realization of residual value for any type of equipment is
dependent  upon many  factors,  including  AFG's  ability  to sell and  re-lease
equipment. Changing market conditions,  industry trends, technological advances,
and many other  events can  converge to enhance or detract  from asset values at
any given  time.  AFG  attempts  to monitor  these  changes in order to identify
opportunities  which may be  advantageous  to the  Partnership  and  which  will
maximize total cash returns for each asset.

Accrued Liabilities - Affiliate

         Unpaid operating  expenses paid by AFG on behalf of the Partnership are
reported as Accrued Liabilities Affiliate. (See Note 4.)



Allocation of Profits and Losses

         For financial  statement  purposes,  net income or loss is allocated to
each Partner  according to their  respective  ownership  percentages (99% to the
Recognized  Owners  and 1% to  the  General  Partners).  See  Note 6  concerning
allocation of income or loss for income tax purposes.

Net Income (Loss) and Cash Distributions Per Unit

         Net  income  (loss)  and  cash  distributions  per  Unit  are  based on
1,009,014 Units  outstanding  during each of the three years in the period ended
December  31, 1995 and computed  after  allocation  of the General  Partners' 1%
share of net income (loss) and cash distributions.

Provision for Income Taxes

         No   provision  or  benefit  from  income  taxes  is  included  in  the
accompanying  financial  statements.  The Partners are responsible for reporting
their proportionate shares of the Partnership's taxable income or loss and other
tax attributes on their tax returns.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

         In  March  1995,  the  Financial   Accounting  Standards  Board  issued
Statement No. 121,  Accounting for the  Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for
Long-Lived  Assets to Be Disposed Of,  which  requires  impairment  losses to be
recorded on long-lived  assets used in operations  when indicators of impairment
are present and the  undiscounted  cash flows estimated to be generated by those
assets are less than the assets' carrying  amount.  Statement 121 also addresses
the accounting  for  long-lived  assets that are expected to be disposed of. The
Partnership  will adopt Statement 121 in the first quarter of 1996 and, based on
current circumstances, does not believe the impact of adoption to be material to
the financial statements of the Partnership.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


NOTE 3 - EQUIPMENT

         The  following is a summary or equipment  owned by the  Partnership  at
December 31, 1995. In the opinion of AFG, the acquisition  cost of the equipment
did not exceed its fair market value.


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

                                            Lease
                                            Term                Equipment
           Equipment      Type             (Months)               at Cost
                                                                                            Location

Aircraft                                   36-108              $ 7,649,166           MN/Foreign
Motor vehicles                              12-72                1,086,176           IL
Trailers/intermodal containers              36-84                  760,402           MI/NC
Locomotives                                 57-60                  378,818           GA/MI/MO/OH/OK
Retail store fixtures                        1-72                  351,938           IN
Tractors and heavy-duty trucks               1-72                  139,915           LA/OR
Research and test                           17-84                  105,268           MI/OH
Materials handling                           1-84                   84,993           MI/TX
Communications                               1-60                   51,508           NJ/NY
Computers and peripherals                    1-60                    2,002           PA

                             Total equipment cost                10,610,186

                         Accumulated depreciation               (7,354,059)
       Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation              $ 3,256,127

</TABLE>

         In certain cases, the cost of the Partnership's  equipment represents a
proportionate ownership interest. The remaining interests are owned by AFG or an
affiliated  equipment leasing program sponsored by AFG. The Partnership and each
affiliate  individually  report,  in  proportion to their  respective  ownership
interests,  their  respective  shares  of  assets,  liabilities,  revenues,  and
expenses  associated  with  the  equipment.  Proportionate  equipment  ownership
enables  the  Partnership  to  further  diversify  its  equipment  portfolio  by
participating in the ownership of selected assets,  thereby reducing the general
levels of risk which could result from a concentration  in any single  equipment
type,  industry or lessee.  At December 31, 1995,  the  Partnership's  equipment
portfolio included equipment having a proportionate original cost of $9,116,147,
representing approximately 86% of total equipment cost.

         Certain of the equipment and related lease payment streams were used to
secure term loans with third-party  lenders.  The preceding summary of equipment
includes leveraged  equipment having an original cost of approximately  $352,000
which had been fully depreciated at December 31, 1995. (See Note 5.)

         Generally,   the  costs  associated  with  maintaining,   insuring  and
operating the  Partnership's  equipment are incurred by the  respective  lessees
pursuant  to terms  specified  in their  individual  lease  agreements  with the
Partnership.

         As  equipment is sold to third  parties or  otherwise  disposed of, the
Partnership  recognizes a gain or loss equal to the  difference  between the net
book value of the equipment at the time of sale or disposition  and the proceeds
realized upon the sale or  disposition.  The ultimate  realization  of estimated
residual  value in the equipment is dependent  upon,  among other things,  AFG's
ability to maximize  proceeds  from selling or  re-leasing  the  equipment  upon
expiration of the primary  lease terms.  At December 31, 1995,  the  Partnership
held equipment for sale or re-lease with a cost of approximately  $111,000 which
had been fully depreciated. The Managing General Partner is actively seeking the
sale or re-lease of all equipment not on lease.

         The  Partnership  recorded a write-down  of the  carrying  value of its
interest in an L1011-50  aircraft  representing  an impairment,  during the year
ended  December 31, 1995.  The  resulting  charge,  $734,600  ($0.72 per limited
partnership  unit)  in 1995 was  based  on a  comparison  of the  estimated  net
realizable value and corresponding carrying value for the Partnership's interest
in the aircraft.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


NOTE 4 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

         All operating  expenses  incurred by the Partnership are paid by AFG on
behalf of the  Partnership  and AFG is  reimbursed  at its actual  cost for such
expenditures.  Fees and other costs  incurred  during each of the three years in
the  period  ended  December  31,  1995,  which  were  paid  or  accrued  by the
Partnership to AFG or its Affiliates, are as follows:
<S>                                                         <C>                      <C>                      <C>                 
                                                              1995                      1994                      1993

Equipment management fees                                  $     45,766              $     78,807               $   101,595
Administrative charges                                           21,000                    12,000                    14,955
Reimbursable operating expenses
     due to third parties                                        87,376                   130,296                    89,336

                               Total                        $   154,142               $   221,103               $   205,886

</TABLE>

         As  provided  under  the  terms  of the  Management  Agreement,  AFG is
compensated  for its  services to the  Partnership.  Such  services  include all
aspects  of  acquisition,  management  and sale of  equipment.  For  acquisition
services, AFG is compensated by an amount equal to 4.75% of Equipment Base Price
paid by the  Partnership.  For  management  services,  AFG is  compensated by an
amount equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of gross lease rental revenues or (ii) fees
which the Managing  General  Partner  reasonably  believes to be competitive for
similar  services  for  similar  equipment.  Both of these  fees are  subject to
certain limitations defined in the Management Agreement. Compensation to AFG for
services  connected to the sale of equipment is  calculated as the lesser of (i)
3% of  gross  sale  proceeds  or (ii)  one-half  of  reasonable  brokerage  fees
otherwise payable under arm's length  circumstances.  Payment of the remarketing
fee is subordinated to Payout and is subject to certain  limitations  defined in
the Management Agreement.

         Administrative  charges  represent  amounts  owed to AFG,  pursuant  to
Section 10.4 of the Restated Agreement,  as amended, for persons employed by AFG
who  are  engaged  in  providing  administrative  services  to the  Partnership.
Reimbursable operating expenses due to third parties represent costs paid by AFG
on behalf of the Partnership which are reimbursed to AFG.

         All equipment was acquired from AFG, one of its  affiliates,  including
other equipment leasing programs sponsored by AFG, or from third-party  sellers.
The Partnership's  Purchase Price was determined by the method described in Note
2.

         All rents and proceeds  from the sale of equipment are paid directly to
either  AFG or to a  lender.  AFG  temporarily  deposits  collected  funds  in a
separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to the Partnership.
At December 31, 1995, the  Partnership was owed $3,717 by AFG for such funds and
the interest thereon.
These funds were remitted to the Partnership in January 1996.

         On August 18, 1995, Atlantic Acquisition Limited Partnership  ("AALP"),
a newly formed Massachusetts limited partnership owned and controlled by certain
principals of AFG,  commenced a voluntary cash Tender Offer (the "Offer") for up
to  approximately  45% of the outstanding  units of limited partner  interest in
this  Partnership and 20 affiliated  partnerships  sponsored and managed by AFG.
The  Offer  was  subsequently  amended  and  supplemented  in order  to  provide
additional  disclosure  to  unitholders;  increase the offer  price;  reduce the
number of units sought to approximately 35% of the outstanding units; and extend
the expiration date of the Offer to October 20, 1995. Following  commencement of
the Offer,  certain legal actions were initiated by interested  persons  against
AALP, each of the general partners (4 in total) of the 21 affected programs, and
various other affiliates and related parties. One action, a class action brought
in the United  States  District  Court for the  District of  Massachusetts  (the
"Court") on behalf of the unitholders  (limited partners),  sought to enjoin the
Offer and obtain  unspecified  monetary damages. A settlement of this litigation
was approved by the Court on November 15, 1995. A second class  action,  brought
in the  Superior  Court of the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  (the  "Superior
Court") seeking to enjoin the Offer,  obtain unspecified  monetary damages,  and
intervene in the first class action,  was dismissed by the Superior  Court.  The
Plaintiffs  have filed an appeal in this matter.  The  Recognized  Owners of the
Partnership  tendered  approximately  101,615  units  or  10.07%  of  the  total
outstanding  units of the Partnership to AALP. The operations of the Partnership
are not expected to be adversely affected by these proceedings or settlements.


NOTE 5 - NOTES PAYABLE

        Notes  payable at December 31, 1995  consisted of  installment  notes of
$8,904 payable to a bank. All of the installment notes are non-recourse, with an
interest rate of 7.13% and are collateralized by the equipment and assignment of
the related lease  payments.  The  installment  notes will be fully amortized by
noncancellable rents in the year ending December 31, 1996.


NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES

         The  Partnership  is  not a  taxable  entity  for  federal  income  tax
purposes.  Accordingly,  no provision  for income taxes has been recorded in the
accounts of the Partnership.

         For financial statement purposes,  the Partnership allocates net income
or loss to each  class  of  partner  according  to  their  respective  ownership
percentages (99% to the Recognized Owners and 1% to the General Partners).  This
convention  differs from the income or loss allocation  requirements  for income
tax and Dissolution Event purposes as delineated in the Restated  Agreement,  as
amended. For income tax purposes,  the Partnership  allocates net income or loss
in accordance with the provisions of such agreement.  The Restated Agreement, as
amended, requires that upon dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partners
will be  required  to  contribute  to the  Partnership  an  amount  equal to any
negative  balance which may exist in the General  Partners' tax capital account.
At December 31, 1995,  the General  Partners had a positive tax capital  account
balance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         The following is a  reconciliation  between net income (loss)  reported
for financial  statement and federal income tax reporting purposes for the years
ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.

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



                                                            1995                      1994                      1993
Net income (loss)                                         $    (376,288)             $     682,540             $     194,656
     Financial statement depreciation in
         excess of tax depreciation                            270,656                    395,126                 1,562,320
       Write-down of equipment                                 734,600                          --                        --
     Prepaid rental income                                       13,643                    (18,399)                  (35,454)
     Other                                                      (20,500)                    (7,446)                   71,392
Net income for federal income tax
    reporting purposes                                    $     622,111              $   1,051,821              $  1,792,914

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         The following is a reconciliation  between  partners'  capital reported
for financial  statement and federal income tax reporting purposes for the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994:

<S>                                                                                 <C>                       <C> 
                                                                                       1995                      1994
Partners' capital                                                                   $  3,491,454               $  4,886,947

Add back selling commissions and
     organization and offering costs                                                    1,063,602                 1,063,602

Financial statement distributions
     in excess of tax distributions                                                         1,911                     5,096

Cumulative difference between federal income
     tax and financial statement income (loss)                                        (1,913,099)                (2,911,498)

Partners' capital for federal income
     tax reporting purposes                                                          $  2,643,868              $  3,044,147


         Financial  statement  distributions in excess of tax  distributions and
cumulative  difference between federal income tax and financial statement income
(loss) represent timing differences.

</TABLE>

NOTE 7 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         In 1993,  Healthcare  Enterprises  of North Texas Ltd.  (d.b.a.  "Wylie
Hospital"),  a lessee of the Partnership,  filed for protection under Chapter 11
of the  Bankruptcy  Code in the  Eastern  District  of  Texas.  The  Chapter  11
proceeding remains pending.  AFG, on behalf of the Partnership and certain other
AFG-sponsored programs,  filed a proof of claim in this matter. Equipment leased
to this lessee had a cost of approximately $36,500 at the time of the bankruptcy
filing. The Partnership sold the equipment in May 1995 and recognized a net gain
of  $455  for  financial  statement  purposes.  Pursuant  to  the  order  of the
Bankruptcy Court,  Wylie Hospital was required to pay $11,000 to the Partnership
for  settlement of this matter,  which amount was paid in full as of April 1995.
This bankruptcy did not have a material adverse effect on the financial position
of the Partnership.

         On March 15,  1993,  Herman's  Sporting  Goods,  Inc.,  a lessee of the
Partnership  (the  "Debtor")  filed  for  protection  under  Chapter  11 of  the
Bankruptcy Code in the United States District Court,  Trenton,  New Jersey.  The
Chapter  11  proceeding  remains  pending.  Certain  unpaid  rents  due  to  the
Partnership were scheduled by the Debtor as unsecured claims.  Upon order of the
Bankruptcy  Court,  renewal  rental  schedules for all  equipment  leased to the
Debtor by the Partnership  were executed and are currently in effect.  On August
23,  1994,   the  Court   confirmed   the  Debtor's   First   Modified  Plan  of
Reorganization, as Amended and Modified, and the Partnership has received two of
the three  scheduled  payments  from the Debtor  with  respect to its  unsecured
claims. The Partnership's equipment portfolio includes equipment on lease to the
Debtor  with  an  original  cost  of  approximately   $52,000,  which  is  fully
depreciated for financial  reporting purposes and represents less than 1% of the
Partnership's  aggregate equipment portfolio at December 31, 1995. All scheduled
renewal  lease  rents  from  the  Debtor  have  been  collected  to date and the
Partnership  has  not  experienced  any  material  losses  as a  result  of this
bankruptcy.


NOTE 8 - SUBSEQUENT EVENT

         On January 1, 1995,  AFG entered into a series of  agreements  with PLM
International,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  headquartered  in San  Francisco,
California   ("PLM"),   whereby  PLM  would:  (i)  purchase,   in  a  multi-step
transaction,  certain  of  AFG's  assets  and  (ii)  provide  accounting,  asset
management  and  investor  services  to AFG and  certain  of  AFG's  affiliates,
including the Partnership and all other equipment  leasing  programs  managed by
AFG (the "Investment Programs").

         On January 3,  1996,  AFG and PLM  executed  an  amendment  to the 1995
agreements  whereby PLM  purchased:  (i) AFG's lease  origination  business  and
associated  contracts,  (ii) the rights to the name "American Finance Group" and
associated logo, and (iii) certain  furniture,  fixtures and computer  software.
PLM hired AFG's  marketing force and certain other support  personnel  effective
January  1,  1996 in  connection  with  the  transaction  and  relinquished  its
responsibilities  under  the  1995  agreements  to  provide  accounting,   asset
management  and investor  services to AFG,  its  affiliates  and the  Investment
Programs after  December 31, 1995.  Accordingly,  AFG and its affiliates  retain
ownership  and control and all  authority and rights with respect to each of the
general partners or managing  trustees of the Investment  Programs;  and AFG, as
Manager,  will continue to provide  accounting,  asset  management  and investor
services to the Partnership.

         Pursuant to the 1996 amendment to the 1995 agreements,  AFG and certain
of its affiliates agreed not to compete with the lease origination business sold
to PLM for a period  of five  years.  AFG  reserved  the  right to  satisfy  all
equipment  needs  of the  Partnership  and all  other  Investment  Programs  and
reserved certain other rights not material to the  Partnership.  AFG also agreed
to change its name,  except where it is used in connection  with the  Investment
Programs.  AFG's management considers the amendment to the 1995 agreements to be
in the best interest of AFG and the Partnership.




<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                    AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                              SCHEDULE OF EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF TOTAL CASH GENERATED TO COST
                              OF EQUIPMENT DISPOSED

                                   for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993


         The  Partnership  classifies all rents from leasing  equipment as lease
revenue.  Upon  expiration  of the primary  lease terms,  equipment may be sold,
rented on a  month-to-month  basis or re-leased for a defined period under a new
or extended lease agreement.  The proceeds  generated from selling or re-leasing
the equipment, in addition to any month-to-month  revenues,  represent the total
residual  value  realized for each item of equipment.  Therefore,  the financial
statement gain or loss, which reflects the difference between the net book value
of the equipment at the time of sale or  disposition  and the proceeds  realized
upon sale or  disposition,  may not  reflect  the  aggregate  residual  proceeds
realized by the Partnership for such equipment.

         The  following is a summary of cash excess  associated  with  equipment
dispositions occurring in the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.

<S>                                                        <C>                       <C>                      <C>
                                                             1995                      1994                      1993

Rents earned prior to disposal of
     equipment, net of interest charges                    $  3,305,414             $  2,914,616               $  4,652,725

Sale proceeds realized upon
     disposition of equipment                                  170,679                   357,916                    735,401

Total cash generated from rents
     and equipment sale proceeds                              3,476,093                3,272,532                  5,388,126

Original acquisition cost of
     equipment disposed                                      3,226,022                 2,881,579                  4,931,614

Excess of total cash generated
     to cost of equipment disposed                       $     250,071             $     390,953              $     456,512


</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                    AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

            STATEMENT OF CASH AND DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FROM OPERATIONS,
                                                  SALES AND REFINANCINGS

                                           for the year ended December 31, 1995
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>                           <C>

                                                                                     Sales and
                                                           Operations               Refinancings               Total

Net income (loss)                                            $ (546,967)        $         170,679             $  (376,288)

  Add back:
     Depreciation                                               599,372                        --                  599,372
      Write-down of equipment                                   734,600                        --                  734,600
     Management fees                                             45,766                        --                   45,766
     Decrease in allowance for doubtful account                 (43,000)                       --                  (43,000)

  Less:
     Principal reduction of notes payable                      (236,781)                        --                (236,781)

     Cash from operations, sales and refinancings               552,990                   170,679                  723,669

  Less:
     Management fees                                            (45,766)                       --                  (45,766)

Distributable cash from operations, sales
     and refinancings                                           507,224                   170,679                  677,903

Other sources and uses of cash:
     Cash at beginning of year                                  819,430                        --                  819,430
     Net change in receivables and accruals                     370,794                        --                  370,794

Less:
     Cash distributions paid                                 (1,167,030)                 (170,679)              (1,337,709)

Cash at end of year                                    $        530,418                        --         $        530,418


</TABLE>









<PAGE>


                      AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

       SCHEDULE OF COSTS REIMBURSED TO THE MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER AND ITS
              AFFILIATES AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 10.4 OF THE AMENDED AND
                   RESTATED AGREEMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                December 31, 1995




         For the year ended  December 31, 1995, the  Partnership  reimbursed the
Managing General Partner and its Affiliates for the following costs:



         Operating expenses                                       $       92,699



<TABLE> <S> <C>



<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                         530,418
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  114,428
<ALLOWANCES>                                    97,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               547,846
<PP&E>                                      10,610,186
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,354,059
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,803,973
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          303,615
<BONDS>                                          8,904
<COMMON>                                             0
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,491,454
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,803,973
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,113,921
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,488,114
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,095
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (376,288)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (376,288)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (376,288)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        


</TABLE>


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