AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D
10-K, 1997-03-31
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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<PAGE>
                                 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, 1996
                         -------------------------------------------------

                                       OR
 
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
 
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                        TO
                              ------------------------  ------------------

Commission file number        0-25648
                      ----------------------------------------------------

                              AFG Investment Trust D
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware                                        04-3157232
- ---------------------------------------------   -----------------------------
(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:

                       2,089,030 Trust Beneficiary Interests
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (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, 1996 (Part I and II)

<PAGE>

                             AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D
 
                                   FORM 10-K
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                                                                          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 TRUST'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                                                 7
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE TRUST                       8
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION                                             10
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT     10
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS                     11
 
                                    PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON 
         FORM 8-K                                                        13-15

                                       2
<PAGE>

 
                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
 
    (a) General Development of Business
 
    AFG Investment Trust D (the "Trust") was organized as a Delaware business 
trust in accordance with the Delaware Business Trust Act (the "Act") on 
August 31, 1992 for the purpose of acquiring and leasing to third parties a 
diversified portfolio of capital equipment. Participants' capital initially 
consisted of contributions of $1,000 from the Managing Trustee, AFG ASIT 
Corporation, $1,000 from the Special Beneficiary, Equis Financial Group 
Limited Partnership (formerly American Finance Group), a Massachusetts 
limited partnership ("EFG" or the "Advisor"), and $100 from the Initial 
Beneficiary, AFG Assignor Corporation, a wholly-owned affiliate of EFG. The 
Trust issued 204,355 Beneficiary Interests to 260 investors on October 26, 
1993, its first Interim Close. Sixteen subsequent Interim Closings in 1993, 
1994 and 1995 have resulted in the issuance by the Trust of an additional 
1,884,675 Beneficiary Interests to 2,375 investors. In total, the Trust 
issued 2,089,030 Beneficiary Interests representing a total purchase price of 
$52,225,750 to 2,635 investors. The Trust's Final Closing occurred on 
February 6, 1995. The Trust has one Managing Trustee, AFG ASIT Corporation, a 
Massachusetts corporation and affiliate of EFG, and one Special Beneficiary, 
EFG. The Managing Trustee and the Special Beneficiary are not required to 
make any other capital contributions except as may be required under the 
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Trust Agreement").
 
    (b) Financial Information About Industry Segments
 
    The Trust 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 Trust 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 Trust's primary investment objectives are to acquire and 
lease equipment which will:
 
    1. Generate monthly cash distributions;
 
    2. Preserve and protect Trust capital; and
 
    3. Maximize residual value for ultimate sale.
 
    The Trust has the additional objective of providing certain federal 
income tax benefits.
 
    Significant operations commenced coincident with the Trust's initial 
purchase of equipment and associated lease commitments on October 26, 1993. 
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 
Trust is expected to terminate by December 31 of the eleventh year following 
its Closing Date, or December 31, 2006.
 
    The Trust has no employees; however, it entered into an Advisory 
Agreement with EFG. EFG'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 Advisor is compensated for such services 
as described in the Trust Agreement, Item 13 herein and in Note 4 to the 
financial statements included in Item 14, herein.

                                       3

<PAGE>

    The Trust'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 Trust is largely 
dependent upon the ability of the Managing Trustee 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 Trust will encounter considerable 
competition when equipment is re-leased or sold at the expiration of primary 
lease terms. The Trust will compete with lease programs offered directly by 
manufacturers and other equipment leasing companies, including business 
trusts and limited partnerships organized and managed similarly to the Trust, 
and including other EFG-sponsored partnerships and trusts, which may seek to 
re-lease or sell equipment within their own portfolios to the same customers 
as the Trust. Many competitors have greater financial resources and more 
experience than the Trust, the Managing Trustee and EFG.
 
    The Trust Agreement provides for the reinvestment of Cash From Sales or 
Refinancings in additional equipment until February 1999, a period of four 
years following the Final Closing. Upon the expiration of each primary lease 
term, the Managing Trustee will determine whether to sell or re-lease the 
Trust's equipment, depending on the economic advantages of each alternative. 
Over time, the Trust will begin to liquidate its portfolio of equipment.
 
    Revenue from major individual lessees which accounted for 10% or more of 
lease revenue during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is 
incorporated herein by reference to Note 2 to the financial statements in the 
1996 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 agreement may cause equipment to be 
returned to the Trust at a time when the Managing Trustee or the Advisor is 
unable to arrange the sale or re-lease of such equipment. This could result 
in the loss of a portion of potential lease revenues and weaken the Trust's 
ability to repay related indebtedness.
 
    EFG is a Massachusetts limited partnership formerly known as American 
Finance Group ("AFG"). AFG was established in 1988 as a Massachusetts general 
partnership and succeeded American Finance Group, Inc., a Massachusetts 
corporation organized in 1980. EFG and its subsidiaries (collectively, the 
"Company") are engaged in various aspects of the equipment leasing business, 
including EFG's role as Equipment Manager or Advisor to the Trust and several 
other Direct-Participation equipment leasing programs sponsored or 
co-sponsored by EFG (the "Other Investment Programs"). The Company arranges 
to broker or originate equipment leases, acts as remarketing agent and asset 
manager, and provides leasing support services, such as billing, collecting, 
and asset tracking.
 
    The general partner of EFG, with a 1% controlling interest, is Equis 
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation owned and controlled entirely by 
Gary D. Engle, its President and Chief Executive Officer. Equis Corporation 
also owns a controlling 1% general partner interest in EFG's 99% limited 
partner, GDE Acquisition Limited Partnership ("GDE LP"). Equis Corporation 
and GDE LP were established in December 1994 by Mr. Engle for the sole 
purpose of acquiring the business of AFG.
 
    In January 1996, the Company sold certain assets of AFG relating 
primarily to the business of originating new leases, and the name "American 
Finance Group," and its acronym to a third party (the "Buyer"). AFG changed 
its name to Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership after the sale was 
concluded. Pursuant to terms of the sale agreements, EFG agreed not to 
compete with the Buyer's lease origination business for a period of five 
years; however, EFG is permitted to originate certain equipment leases, 
principally those involving non-investment grade lessees and ocean-going 
vessels, which are not in competition with the Buyer. In addition, the sale 
agreements specifically reserved to EFG the rights to continue using the name 
American Finance Group and its

                                       4
<PAGE>

acronym in connection with the Trust and the Other Investment Programs and to 
continue managing all assets owned by the Trust and the Other Investment 
Programs, including the right to satisfy all required equipment acquisitions 
utilizing either brokers or the Buyer. Geoffrey A. MacDonald, Chairman of 
Equis Corporation and Gary D. Engle agreed not to compete with the sold 
business on terms and conditions similar to those for the Company.
 
    (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 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
 
    Incorporated herein by reference to Note 7 to the Financial Statements in
the 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
 
    Incorporated herein by reference to Note 8 to the financial statements in
the 1996 Annual Report.

                                       5

<PAGE>

PART II
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE TRUST'S SECURITIES AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS.
 
    (a) Market Information
 
    There is no public market for the resale of the Interests and it is not 
anticipated that a public market for resale of the Interests will develop.
 
    (b) Approximate Number of Security Holders
 
    At December 31, 1996, there were 2,287 Beneficiaries in the Trust.
 
    (c) Dividend History and Restrictions
 
    Pursuant to Article VIII of the Trust Agreement, the Trust's 
Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or 
Refinancings (each as defined below) are determined and distributed to the 
Trust's Participants monthly. Each monthly distribution may vary in amount. 
Currently, there are no restrictions that materially limit the Trust's 
ability to distribute Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable 
Cash From Sales or Refinancings or that the Trust believes are likely to 
materially limit the future distribution of Distributable Cash From 
Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings. The Trust 
expects to continue to distribute Distributable Cash From Operations and 
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings on a monthly basis.
 
    Distributions in 1996 and 1995 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Managing       Special
                                        Total            Trustee     Beneficiary   Beneficiaries
                                      ----------       ----------    -----------   -------------
<S>                                   <C>                <C>          <C>           <C>
Total 1996 distributions              $3,190,518         $31,905      $263,218      $2,895,395
Total 1995 distributions               4,802,610          48,026       396,215       4,358,369
                                      ----------         -------      --------      ----------
Total                                 $7,993,128         $79,931      $659,433      $7,253,764
                                      ----------         -------      --------      ----------
                                      ----------         -------      --------      ----------
</TABLE>

    Distributions payable at December 31, 1996 and 1995 were $314,216 and 
$241,702, respectively.
 
    "Distributable Cash From Operations" means the net cash provided by the 
Trust's normal operations after general expenses and current liabilities of 
the Trust 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 Trustee, and increased by any portion of such 
reserves deemed by the Managing Trustee not to be required for Trust 
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 reinvested in additional equipment 
in accordance with Sections 4.2(b)(v) and 4.2(b)(vi) of the Trust Agreement, 
or (b) the proceeds from the sale of an interest in a joint venture which are 
reinvested in additional equipment, (ii) any accrued and unpaid Equipment 
Management Fee and Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses paid with 
respect to additional equipment acquired through reinvestment of Cash From 
Sales or Refinancings in accordance with Section 4.2(b)(v) of the Trust 
Agreement and (iii) after Payout, any accrued and unpaid Subordinated Resale 
Fees.

                                       6
<PAGE>

    "Cash From Sales or Refinancings" means cash received by the Trust from 
sale or refinancing transactions, as reduced by (i)(a) all debts and 
liabilities of the Trust 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 Managing Trustee, but not including any Subordinated Resale Fees whether 
or not then due and payable) and (b) general expenses and current liabilities 
of the Trust and (c) any reserves for working capital and contingent 
liabilities funded from such cash to the extent deemed reasonable by the 
Managing Trustee and (ii) increased by any portion of such reserves deemed by 
the Managing Trustee not to be required for Trust operations. In the event 
the Trust accepts a note in connection with any sale or refinancing 
transaction, all payments subsequently received in cash by the Trust with 
respect to such note shall be included in Cash From Sales or Refinancings, 
regardless of the treatment of such payments by the Trust for tax or 
accounting purposes. If the Trust 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 Trust shall be made 90.75% to the 
Beneficiaries, 8.25% to the Special Beneficiary and 1% to the Managing 
Trustee.
 
    "Payout" is defined as the first time when the aggregate amount of all 
distributions to the Beneficiaries of Distributable Cash From Operations and 
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings equals the aggregate amount of 
the Beneficiaries' original capital contributions plus a cumulative annual 
distribution of 10% (compounded quarterly and calculated beginning with the 
last day of the month of the Trust'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 Beneficiaries exceed the amount required to 
satisfy the cumulative annual distribution of 10% (compounded quarterly) on 
the Beneficiaries' aggregate unreturned capital contributions, such 
calculation to be based on the aggregate unreturned capital contributions 
outstanding on the first day of each month.
 
    Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or 
Refinancings ("Distributions") must be distributed within 45 days after the 
completion of each calendar month. Each Distribution is described in a 
statement sent to the Beneficiaries.
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
 
    Incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Selected 
Financial Data" in the 1996 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 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
 
    Incorporated herein by reference to the financial statements and 
supplementary data included in the 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
  FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
 
    None.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE TRUST.
 
    (a-b) Identification of Directors and Executive Officers
 
    The trust has no directors or officers.  As indicated in Item 1 of this
report, AFG ASIT Corporation is the Managing Trustee of the Trust. Under the
Trust Agreement, the Managing Trustee is solely responsible for the operation of
the Trust's properties and the Beneficiaries 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 Trustee as of March 15, 1997 are as follows:
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
OF THE MANAGING TRUSTEE (See Item 13)
- ------------------------------------- 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                                       Title                         Age      Term
<S>                              <C>                                     <C>    <C>
Geoffrey A. MacDonald            Chairman and a member of the            48     Until a
                                 Executive Committee of EFG                     successor
                                 and President and a Director                   is duly
                                 of the Managing Trustee                        elected
                                                                                and
Gary D. Engle                    President and Chief Executive           48     qualified
                                 Officer and member of the
                                 Executive Committee of EFG and a
                                 Director of the Managing Trustee     

Gary M. Romano                   Executive Vice President and Chief      37
                                 Operating Officer of EFG and
                                 Clerk of the Managing Trustee        
 
Michael J. Butterfield           Vice President, Finance and Treasurer   37
                                 of EFG and Treasurer of the
                                 Managing Trustee                     
 
James A. Coyne                   Senior Vice President of EFG and        36
                                 Vice President of the Managing
                                 Trustee                              
 
James F. Livesey                 Vice President, Aircraft and            47
                                 Vessels of EFG                       
 
Sandra L. Simonsen               Senior Vice President, Information      46
                                 Systems of EFG                       
 
Gail D. Ofgant                   Vice President, Lease Operations        31
                                 of EFG                               
</TABLE>
    (c) Identification of Certain Significant Persons
 
    None.
 
    (d) Family Relationship
 
    No family relationship exists among any of the foregoing Directors or
Executive Officers.
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
    (e) Business Experience
 
    Mr. MacDonald, age 48, is a co-founder, Chairman and a member of the 
Executive Committee of EFG and President and a Director of the Managing 
Trustee. Mr. MacDonald was also a co-founder, Director and Senior Vice 
President of EFG'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 EFG's predecessors, 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 48, is President and Chief Executive Officer and a member 
of the Executive Committee of EFG and President of AFG Realty Corporation. 
Mr. Engle is Vice President and a Director of certain of EFG's affiliates and 
a Director of the Managing Trustee. On December 16, 1994, Mr. Engle acquired 
control of the Managing Trustee, EFG and each of EFG'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 37, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating 
Officer of EFG and certain of its affiliates and Clerk of the Managing 
Trustee. Mr. Romano joined EFG in November 1989 and was appointed Executive 
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in April 1996. Prior to joining 
EFG, 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 (now Ernst & Young LLP) from 1982 to 1986. Mr. 
Romano is a C.P.A. and holds a B.S. degree from Boston College.
 
    Mr. Butterfield, age 37, joined EFG in June 1992 and became Vice 
President, Finance and Treasurer of EFG and certain of its affiliates in 
April 1996 and is Treasurer of the Managing Trustee. Prior to joining EFG, 
Mr. Butterfield was an Audit Manager with Ernst & Young LLP, which he joined 
in 1987. Mr. Butterfield was employed in public accounting and industry 
positions in New Zealand and London (U.K.) prior to coming to the United 
States in 1987. Mr. Butterfield attained his Associate Chartered Accountant 
(A.C.A.) professional qualification in New Zealand and has completed his 
C.P.A. requirements in the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce 
degree from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
 
    Mr. Coyne, age 36, is Senior Vice President of EFG. Mr. Coyne joined EFG 
in 1989, remained until May 1993, and rejoined EFG in November 1994. From May 
1993 through November 1994, he was with the Raymond Company, a private 
investment firm, where he was responsible for financing corporate and real 
estate acquisitions. From 1985 through 1989, Mr. Coyne was affiliated with a 
real estate investment company and an equipment leasing company. Prior to 
1985 he was with the accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young 
LLP). He has a BS in Business Administration from John Carroll University, a 
Masters Degree in Accounting from Case Western Reserve University and is a 
Certified Public Accountant.

    Mr. Livesey, age 47, is Vice President, Aircraft and Vessels, of EFG. Mr. 
Livesey joined EFG in October, 1989, and was promoted to Vice President in 
January 1992. Prior to joining EFG, 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 46, joined EFG in February 1990 and was promoted to 
Senior Vice President, Information Systems in April 1996. Prior to joining 
EFG, 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.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
    Ms. Ofgant, age 31, joined EFG in July 1989, and is currently Vice 
President, Lease Operations. Ms. Ofgant held the position of Manager, Lease 
Operations at EFG through March, 1996. Prior to joining EFG, Ms. Ofgant was 
employed by Security Pacific National Trust Company. Ms. Ofgant holds a BS 
Degree in Finance from Providence College.
 
    (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 Trust has no employees. However, under the terms of the 
Trust Agreement, the Trust is obligated to pay all costs of personnel 
employed full or part-time by the Trust, including officers or employees of 
the Managing Trustee or its Affiliates. There is no plan at the present time 
to make any officers or employees of the Managing Trustee or its Affiliates 
employees of the Trust. The Trust has not paid and does not propose to pay 
any options, warrants or rights to the officers or employees of the Managing 
Trustee or its Affiliates.
 
    (b) Compensation Pursuant to Plans
 
    None.
 
    (c) Other Compensation
 
    Although the Trust has no employees, as discussed in Item 11(a), pursuant 
to section 10.4(c) of the Trust Agreement, the Trust incurs a monthly charge 
for personnel costs of the Advisor for persons engaged in providing 
administrative services to the Trust. A description of the remuneration paid 
by the Trust to the Managing Trustee and its Affiliates 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 Managing 
Trustee 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 trust, the Trust has no outstanding 
securities possessing traditional voting rights. However, as provided in 
Section 11.2(a) of the Trust Agreement (subject to Section 11.2(b)), a 
majority interest of the Beneficiaries have voting rights with respect to:
 
    1. Amendment of the Trust Agreement;
 
    2. Termination of the Trust;
 
    3. Removal of the Managing Trustee; and

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
    4. Approval or disapproval of the sale of all or substantially all of the 
assets of the Trust (except in the orderly liquidation of the Trust upon its 
termination and dissolution).
 
    No person or group is known by the Managing Trustee to own beneficially 
more than 5% of the Trust's 2,089,030 outstanding Interests as of March 1, 
1997.
 
    The ownership and organization of EFG is described in Item 1 of this 
report.
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
 
    The Managing Trustee of the Trust is AFG ASIT Corporation, an affiliate 
of EFG.
 
    (a) Transactions with Management and Others
 
    All operating expenses incurred by the Trust are paid by EFG on behalf of 
the Trust and EFG is reimbursed at its actual cost for such expenditures. 
Fees and other costs incurred during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 
and 1994, which were paid or accrued by the Trust to EFG or its Affiliates, 
are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1996              1995           1994
                                               ----------        ----------     ----------
<S>                                           <C>                <C>             <C>
Reimbursements for selling commissions                 --        $  411,805     $2,167,363
Reimbursements for organization and
   offering costs                                      --           147,073        774,058
Equipment acquisition fees                        $36,120           210,276         75,846
Equipment management fees                       1,071,560           737,323        303,749
Administrative charges                             48,638            21,000         14,000
Reimbursable operating expenses due
   to third parties                               527,519           328,804        175,636
Interest on notes payable affiliate                    --               117         39,828
                                               ----------        ----------     ----------
      Total                                    $1,683,837        $1,856,398     $3,550,480
                                               ----------        ----------     ----------
                                               ----------        ----------     ----------
</TABLE>

    American Finance Group Securities Corp., an affiliate of EFG, was paid 
the entire amount of selling commissions incurred at each of the Closings of 
the Trust. Commissions of $2,579,168, relating to the Closings during 1994 
and 1995, were then paid to the Soliciting Dealers responsible for the sales. 
No Soliciting Dealer commissions were earned by American Finance Group 
Securities Corp. for Interests sold to an unrelated party.
 
    As provided under the terms of the Trust Agreement, EFG is compensated 
for its services to the Trust. Such services include all aspects of 
acquisition, management and sale of equipment. For acquisition services, EFG 
is compensated by an amount equal to .28% of Asset Base Price paid by the 
Trust. For acquisition services resulting from reinvestment, EFG is 
compensated by an amount equal to 3% of Equipment Base Price paid by the 
Trust. For management services, EFG is compensated by an amount equal to the 
lesser of (i) 5% of gross operating lease rental revenue and 2% of gross full 
payout lease rental revenue received by the Trust or (ii) fees which the 
Managing Trustee reasonably believes to be competitive for similar services 
for similar equipment. Both of these fees are subject to certain limitations 
defined in the Trust Agreement. Compensation to EFG for services connected to 
the remarketing 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 
Trust Agreement.

    Administrative charges represent amounts owed to EFG, pursuant to Section 
10.4(c) of the Trust Agreement, for persons employed by EFG who are engaged 
in providing administrative services to the Trust. Reimbursable operating 
expenses due to third parties represent costs paid by EFG on behalf of the 
Trust which are reimbursed to EFG.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
    All equipment was purchased from EFG, one of its Affiliates, or directly 
from third-party sellers. The Trust's Purchase Price is determined by the 
method described in Note 2 to the Trust's financial statements included in 
Item 14, herein.
 
    All rents and proceeds from the sale of equipment are paid by the lessee 
directly to either EFG or to a lender. EFG temporarily deposits collected 
funds in a separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to 
the Trust. At December 31, 1996, the Trust was owed $1,865,582 by EFG for 
such funds and the interest thereon. This balance includes equipment sale 
proceeds of approximately $1,618,000 which relate to the sale of certain 
vessel equipment in December 1996. Debt proceeds of $1,980,073, which relate 
to the leveraging of certain rail equipment in the Trust's portfolio, were 
deposited into the escrow account on December 31, 1996. These funds were 
remitted to the Trust in January 1997.
 
    (b) Certain Business Relationships
 
    None.
 
    (c) Indebtedness of Management to the Trust
 
    None.
 
    (d) Transactions with Promoters
 
    See Item 13(a) above.
 
                                       12

<PAGE>

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, 1996 and 1995....................................*
 
            Statement of Operations
            for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.............*
 
            Statement of Changes in Participants' Capital
            for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.............*
 
            Statement of Cash Flows 
            for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.............*
 
            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.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    Exhibit
    Number
- ------------
<S>                <C>

      4            Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust included as
                   Exhibit A to the Prospectus which is included in Registration 
                   Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-42946).

     13            The 1996 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. 
</TABLE>


* Incorporated herein by reference to the appropriate portion of the 1996 
Annual Report to security holders for the year ended December 31, 1996. (See 
Part II)
 
                                      13
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    Exhibit
    Number
- ------------
<S>                <C>

     99 (a)        Lease agreement with Stena Bulk AB was filed in the 
                   Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                   December 31, 1993 as Exhibit 28 (c) and is incorporated 
                   herein by reference.

     99 (b)        Lease agreement with British Airways Plc was filed in the 
                   Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
                   December 31, 1994 as Exhibit 28 (d) and is incorporated 
                   herein by reference. 

     99 (c)        Lease agreement with Diamond Shamrock Refining & Marketing
                   Company was filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
                   10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 as Exhibit 28 (e) 
                   and is incorporated herein by reference.

     99 (d)        Lease agreement with Emery Worldwide was filed in the 
                   Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                   December 31, 1995 as Exhibit 99 (f) and is incorporated 
                   herein by reference.

     99 (e)        Lease agreement with Chantel Shipping Corporation was filed 
                   in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                   ended December 31, 1995 as Exhibit 99 (g) and is 
                   incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>
    (b) Reports on Form 8-K
 
    None.

                                        14

<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 23
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form
10-K) of AFG Investment Trust D of our report dated March 14, 1997, included in
the 1996 Annual Report to Participants of AFG Investment Trust D.
 


                                                              ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
March 14, 1997
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
                                   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.
 
                                   AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D
 
                        By: AFG ASIT Corporation,
                        a Massachusetts corporation and the
                        Managing Trustee of the Registrant.
 

By: /s/ Geoffrey A. MacDonald               By:  /s/ Gary D. Engle
    -------------------------                    ----------------------------
Geoffrey A. MacDonald                       Gary D. Engle
Chairman and a member of the                President and Chief Executive
Executive Committee of EFG and              Officer and a member of the 
President and a Director of the             Executive Committee of EFG and a 
Managing Trustee                            Director of the Managing Trustee 
                                            (Principal Executive Officer)
 

Date: March 31, 1997                        Date: March 31, 1997
     ------------------------                     ---------------------------
 
By: /s/ Gary M. Romano                      By:  /s/ Michael J. Butterfield 
    ------------------------                     ----------------------------
Gary M. Romano                              Michael J. Butterfield
Executive Vice President and Chief          Vice President, Finance and 
Operating Officer of EFG and Clerk          Treasurer of EFG and Treasurer
of the Managing Trustee                     of the Managing Trustee
(Principal Financial Officer)               (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
Date: March 31, 1997                        Date: March 31, 1997
     ------------------------                     ---------------------------

                                      16
<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 Beneficiaries. A report will be
furnished to the Beneficiaries subsequent to the date hereof.
 
    No proxy statement has been or will be sent to the Beneficiaries.

                                      17


<PAGE>








                                  AFG INVESTMENT TRUST 













                                 AFG Investment Trust D
 




               Annual Report to the Participants, December 31, 1996









<PAGE>





                                 AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D
 


                       INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT TO THE PARTICIPANTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PAGE
                                                                                         ---------
<S>                                                                                      <C>
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA ..................................................................    2  

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ......................................................  3-7

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: 

Report of Independent Auditors ...........................................................    8

Statement of Financial Position 
at December 31, 1996 and 1995 ...........................................................     9

Statement of Operations 
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 ....................................     10
                                       
Statement of Changes in Participants' Capital 
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 ....................................     11
                
Statement of Cash Flows
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 ....................................     12 
                                       
Notes to the Financial Statements .......................................................  13-22


ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION:


Schedule of Excess (Deficiency) of Total Cash 
Generated to Cost of Equipment Disposed .................................................     23

Statement of Cash and Distributable Cash
From Operations, Sales and Refinancings .................................................     24

Schedule of Costs Reimbursed to the Managing Trustee and its 
Affiliates as Required by Section 10.4 of the Amended and 
Restated Declaration of Trust ...........................................................     25
</TABLE>
 
                                       1

<PAGE>

                            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 the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994 and for the period 
October 26, 1993 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 1993:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     SUMMARY OF
                     OPERATIONS                            1996           1995           1994           1993
- ----------------------------------------------------  --------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>
Lease revenue.......................................  $   27,093,125  $  17,068,315  $   7,972,559  $     133,330

Net income (loss)...................................  $      630,535  $   3,629,331  $   1,294,001  $    (206,328)

Per Beneficiary Interest:
   Net income(loss).................................  $         0.27  $        1.59  $        0.88  $       (0.54)

   Cash distributions... ...........................  $         1.39  $        2.10  $        2.40  $        0.57

Financial Position
- ------------------

Total assets........................................  $   75,192,549  $  87,519,870  $  57,613,787  $  25,565,922

Total long-term obligations.........................  $   32,827,977  $  42,655,805  $  17,244,814  $  11,234,064

Participants' capital...............................  $   40,884,836  $  43,444,819  $  39,294,051  $  13,502,915
</TABLE>


                                       2
<PAGE>

 
                       MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                    FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
              Year ended December 31, 1996 compared to the year ended 
          December 31, 1995 and the year ended December 31, 1995 compared 
                       to the year ended December 31, 1994
 
OVERVIEW
- --------
 
    As an equipment leasing trust, AFG Investment Trust D (the "Trust") was 
organized to acquire a diversified portfolio of capital equipment subject to 
lease agreements with third parties. The Trust 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 Trust's portfolio will progress through various stages. 
Initially, all equipment will generate rental revenues under primary term 
lease agreements. During the life of the Trust, these agreements will expire 
on an intermittent basis and equipment held pursuant to the related leases 
will be renewed, re-leased or sold, depending on prevailing market conditions 
and the assessment of such conditions by Equis Financial Group Limited 
Partnership (formerly American Finance Group), a Massachusetts limited 
partnership ("EFG") to obtain the most advantageous economic benefit. Over 
time, a greater portion of the Trust's original equipment portfolio will 
become available for remarketing and cash generated from operations and from 
sales or refinancings will begin to fluctuate. Ultimately, all equipment will 
be sold and the Trust will be dissolved. The Trust's operations commenced in 
1993.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------
 
    For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Trust recognized lease revenue 
of $27,093,125 compared to $17,068,315 and $7,972,559 for the years ended 
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Lease revenue increased from 1994 
to 1996 due to the acquisition of additional equipment throughout this 
period, including the effects of reinvestment, and the recognition of early 
termination proceeds received in 1996 in connection with the Trust's sale of 
its interest in a vessel (see discussion below). The Trust's original 
equipment acquisition and leveraging processes were completed in 1995. In the 
near-term, aggregate rental revenues are expected to increase due to 
reinvestment of available proceeds in other equipment, including proceeds 
resulting from the Trust's sale of its interest in a vessel to the lessee. 
Over time, the level of lease revenue will decline due to the expiration of 
the Trust's primary lease term agreements. The Trust also earns interest 
income from temporary investments of rental receipts and equipment sales 
proceeds in short-term instruments.
 
    The Trust's equipment portfolio includes certain assets in which the 
Trust holds a proportionate ownership interest. In such cases, the remaining 
interests are owned by EFG or an affiliated equipment leasing program 
sponsored by EFG. Proportionate equipment ownership enables the Trust 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 Trust 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.
 
    During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Trust sold equipment having 
a net book value of $7,388,546 to existing lessees and third parties. These 
sales resulted in a net loss, for financial statement purposes, of 
$5,149,874. The equipment sales in 1996 include the Trust's interest in a 
vessel with an original cost and net book value of $9,296,103 and $6,482,211, 
respectively, which the Trust sold to an existing lessee in December 1996. In 
connection with this sale, the Trust realized aggregate cash proceeds of 
$6,835,834, consisting of early termination proceeds of $5,217,665 and sale 
proceeds of $1,618,169. For financial statement purposes, the Trust 
recognized a net loss of $4,864,042, excluding early termination proceeds 
recognized as lease revenue on the accompanying Statement of Operations. The 
equipment was sold prior to the expiration of the related lease term. The 
Trust intends to reinvest these proceeds, net of associated debt, in other 
equipment in 1997.

                                       3

<PAGE>

    During 1995, the Trust sold equipment having a net book value of 
$3,657,058 to existing lessees and third parties. These sales resulted in a 
net gain, for financial statement purposes, of $1,466,398. The equipment 
sales included certain railroad equipment with an original cost and net book 
value of $4,313,181 and $3,469,324, respectively, which the Trust sold to a 
third party in December 1995. In connection with this sale, the Trust 
realized sales proceeds of $2,658,456 and the purchaser assumed related debt 
and interest of $2,170,369 and $95,675, respectively, which resulted in a net 
gain, for financial statement purposes, of $1,455,176. This equipment was 
sold prior to the expiration of the related lease term. The majority of the 
Trust's sales proceeds were reinvested in other equipment in 1995 with the 
balance having been reinvested in 1996. There were no equipment sales during 
1994.
 
    It cannot be determined whether future sales of equipment will result in 
a net gain or a net loss to the Trust, 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 EFG'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. EFG attempts to monitor these changes in order to 
identify opportunities which may be advantageous to the Trust 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 revenue 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 Trust 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 Trust achieved 
from leasing the equipment.
 
    Depreciation and amortization expense was $13,981,912, $11,013,576 and 
$5,554,146 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, 
respectively. For financial reporting purposes, to the extent that an asset 
is held on primary lease term, the Trust 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 Trust 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 increase 
in depreciation expense from 1994 to 1996 reflects the acquisition of 
equipment during 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the corresponding length of 
ownership during the respective years.
 
    The Trust recorded a write-down of the carrying value of its interest in 
a Boeing 747 aircraft, representing an impairment, during the year ended 
December 31, 1996. The resulting charge, $2,400,000 ($1.04 per Beneficiary 
Interest) in 1996 was based on a comparison of the estimated net realizable 
value and corresponding net carrying value for the Trust's interest in the 
aircraft. Net realizable value was estimated based on (i) third-party 
appraisals of the Trust's aircraft and (ii) EFG's assessment of prevailing 
market conditions for similar aircraft. In recent years, market values for 
used commercial jet aircraft have deteriorated, particularly with respect to 
certain older aircraft, set to commence in 2000. In addition, 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 the major airlines. Aircraft 
condition, age, passenger capacity, distance capability, fuel efficiency, and 
other factors also influence market demand and market values for passenger 
jet aircraft.
 
    Interest expense was $3,480,122 or 12.8% of lease revenue in 1996, 
$3,228,379 or 18.9% of lease revenue in 1995 and $939,055 or 11.8% of lease 
revenue in 1994. Interest expense in the near-term is expected to increase 
due to anticipated leveraging to be obtained to finance the acquisition of 
reinvestment equipment, discussed 

                                       4

<PAGE>

above. Thereafter, interest expense will decline in amount and as a 
percentage of lease revenue as the principal balance of notes payable is 
reduced through the application of rent receipts to outstanding indebtedness.
 
    Management fees were 4%, 4.3% and 3.8% of lease revenue for the years 
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Management fees are 
based on 5% of gross lease revenue generated by operating leases and 2% of 
gross lease revenue generated by full payout leases.
 
    Operating expenses consist principally of administrative charges, 
professional service costs, such as audit and legal fees, as well as 
printing, distribution and remarketing expenses. Collectively, operating 
expenses represented 2.1% of lease revenue during both the years 1996 and 
1995 and 2.4% of lease revenue during 1994. Operating expenses were higher in 
1996 than 1995 and 1994 due to remarketing fees incurred in connection with 
the sale of certain vessel equipment and fees incurred in connection with the 
refinancing of the Trust's interest in the vessel described below. In 1995, 
the Trust incurred legal costs in connection with the equipment acquisition 
process. 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 trust. Other fluctuations typically occur in 
relation to the volume and timing of remarketing activities.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES AND DISCUSSION OF CASH FLOWS
- ------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The Trust 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 Trust's principal operating activities derive from asset 
rental transactions. Accordingly, the Trust'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 $17,921,048, $12,432,491 and 
$6,098,294 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, 
respectively. In the near-term, net cash inflows generated from operating 
activities are expected to increase due to additional reinvestment of the 
cash proceeds from the vessel transaction previously discussed. Thereafter, 
renewal, re-lease and equipment sale activities will cause the Trust's 
primary-term lease revenue and corresponding sources of operating cash to 
decline. Overall, expenses associated with rental activities, such as 
management fees, and net cash flow from operating activities will decline as 
the Trust experiences a higher frequency of remarketing events.
 
    Ultimately, the Trust 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 asset acuisitions and cash realized from asset disposal 
transactions are reported under investing activities on the accompanying 
Statement of Cash Flows. The Trust expended $1,243,539, $52,331,336 and 
$27,166,357 to acquire equipment during the years ended December 31, 1996, 
1995 and 1994, respectively, including new equipment acquired pursuant to the 
reinvestment provisions of the Trust's prospectus of approximately $1,200,000 
and $5,400,000 during the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, 
respectively. The reinvestment equipment was financed through a combination 
of leveraging and sale proceeds. During the year ended December 31, 1996, the 
Trust realized equipment sale proceeds of $2,238,672, including $1,618,169 of 
proceeds from the vessel transaction, compared to $2,857,412, including 
$2,658,456 of proceeds from the rail transaction, during the same period in 
1995. 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 Trust 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 $9,862,477, $36,133,500 and $9,136,155 in 1996, 1995 and 
1994, respectively, resulted from                                        5 
<PAGE>leveraging a portion of the Trust's equipment portfolio with 
third-party lenders. In September 1996, the Trust received $5,416,667 from 
the refinancing of its interest in a vessel. The Trust repaid the existing 
debt associated with the vessel of $1,912,591 plus accrued interest thereon. 
(Subsequently, the indebtedness resulting from this refinancing was retired 
as a result of the asset being sold to the lessee.) EFG also provided interim 
financing of $5,275,161 to the Trust until third-party financing was 
finalized. 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. In the 
near-term, the amount of cash used to repay debt obligations will continue to 
increase as a result of anticipated leveraging to be obtained in connection 
with the acquisition of reinvestment equipment, discussed above. The amount 
of cash used to repay debt in 1996 increased as a result of leveraging 
obtained in 1996 and 1995 and the refinancing described above. Thereafter, 
the amount will decline as the principal balance of notes payable is reduced 
through the collection and application of rents. However, the Trust has 
balloon payment obligations of $282,421 and $1,476,981 at the expiration of 
the primary lease terms related to the Trust's proportionate ownership 
interest in an MD-87 jet aircraft leased by Reno Air, Inc. and certain rail 
equipment, respectively.
 
    Financing activities also included cash inflows from capital 
contributions from the Beneficiaries (net of selling commissions and 
organization and offering costs) of $5,324,047 and $28,020,904 in 1995 and 
1994, respectively. Substantially all of these funds were used to purchase 
equipment. The Trust's Final Closing of capital contributions occurred on 
February 6, 1995.
 
    Cash distributions to the Managing Trustee, the Special Beneficiary and 
the Beneficiaries are declared and generally paid within fifteen days 
following the end of each month. The payment of such distributions is 
presented as a component of financing activities. For the year ended December 
31, 1996, the Trust declared total cash distributions of Distributable Cash 
From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales and Refinancings of 
$3,190,518. In accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Beneficiaries were 
allocated 90.75% of these distributions, or $2,895,395; the Special 
Beneficiary was allocated 8.25%, or $263,218; and the Managing Trustee was 
allocated 1%, or $31,905.
 
    For financial reporting purposes, the Managing Trustee and the Special 
Beneficiary each has accumulated a capital deficit at December 31, 1996. This 
is the result of aggregate cash distributions to these Participants being in 
excess of their aggregate capital contributions ($1,000 each) and their to 
the financial statements--Allocation of Profits and Losses.) Ultimately, the 
existence of a capital deficit for the Managing Trustee or the Special 
Beneficiary for financial reporting purposes is not indicative of any further 
capital obligations to the Trust by either the Managing Trustee or the 
Special Beneficiary. However, for income tax purposes, the Trust Agreement 
requires that income be allocated first to those Participants having negative 
tax capital account balances so as to eliminate any such balances. In 
accordance with the Trust Agreement, upon the dissolution of the Trust, the 
Managing Trustee will be required to contribute to the Trust an amount equal 
to any negative balance which may exist in the Managing Trustee's tax capital 
account. No such requirement exists with respect to the Special Beneficiary. 
At December 31, 1996, the Managing Trustee has a positive tax capital account 
balance. (See Note 6 to the financial statements.)
 
    At December 31, 1996, the Trust had aggregate future minimum lease 
payments of $49,905,144 from contractual lease agreements (see Note 2 to the 
financial statements), of which $32,827,977 will be used to amortize the 
principal balance of notes payable (see Note 5 to the financial statements). 
Additional cash inflows will be realized from future remarketing activities, 
such as lease renewals and equipment sales, as well as from lease revenues 
generated by equipment acquisitions from the Trust's anticipated reinvestment 
activities. Presently, the Trust expects to acquire approximately $36,000,000 
of reinvestment equipment using working capital of approximately $9,000,000 
and additional indebtedness, which will be amortized from the associated 
rental streams. However, the extent of the Trust's total future reinvestment 
activities may exceed this projection as a result of future equipment sales, 
the timing and extent of which cannot be predicted with certainty. This is 
because the timing and extent of equipment sales is often dependent upon the 
needs and interests of the existing lessees. Some lessees may choose to renew 
their lease contracts, while others may elect to return the equipment. In the 
latter instances, the equipment could be re-leased to another lessee or sold 
to a third party. 

                                       6

<PAGE>


Accordingly, as the Trust matures and a greater level of its equipment assets 
become available for remarketing, the cash flows of the Trust will become 
less predictable. In addition, the Trust will have cash outflows to satisfy 
interest on indebtedness and to pay management fees and operating expenses. 
Ultimately, the Trust is expected to meet its future disbursement obligations 
and to distribute any excess of cash inflows over cash outflows to the 
Participants in accordance with the Trust Agreement. However, several 
factors, including month-to-month lease extensions, lessee defaults, 
equipment casualty events, and early lease terminations could alter the 
Trust's anticipated cash flows as described herein and in the accompanying 
financial statements and result in fluctuations to the Trust's periodic cash 
distribution payments.
 
    Cash distributions paid to the Participants consist of both a return of 
and a return on 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 Trust 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 EFG 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 Trust's equipment portfolio.
 
    It is the intention of the Managing Trustee to maintain a cash 
distribution level that is consistent with the operating cash flows of the 
Trust and to optimize the long-term value of the Trust. A distribution level 
that is higher than the Trust's operating cash flows could compromise the 
Trust's working capital position, as well as its ability to refurbish or 
upgrade equipment in response to lessee requirements or other market 
circumstances and, during its reinvestment period, to purchase replacement 
equipment as original equipment is remarketed. Accordingly, in order to 
better align monthly cash distributions with the Trust's operating cash 
flows, the Managing Trustee reduced the level of monthly cash distributions 
from an annualized rate of $2.52 per Beneficiary Interest (the rate 
established and paid from the Trust's inception through September 1995) to an 
annualized rate of $1.26 per Beneficiary Interest commencing in October 1995. 
In October 1996, the Managing Trustee increased the annualized distribution 
rate to $1.64 per Beneficiary Interest and expects that the Trust will be 
able to sustain this distribution rate throughout 1997. However, the nature 
of the Trust's principal cash flows gradually will shift from rental receipts 
to equipment sale proceeds as the Trust matures. As this occurs, the Trust's 
cash flows will become more volatile in that certain of the Trust's equipment 
leases will be renewed and certain of its assets will be sold. In some cases, 
the Trust may be required to expend funds to refurbish or otherwise improve 
the equipment being remarketed in order to make it more desirable to a 
potential lessee or purchaser. The Trust's Advisor, EFG, and the Managing 
Trustee will attempt to monitor and manage these events to maximize the 
residual value of the Trust's equipment and will consider these factors, in 
addition to the collection of contractual rents, the retirement of scheduled 
indebtedness and the Trust's future working capital and equipment 
requirements, in establishing future cash distribution rates. Ultimately, the 
Participants should expect that cash distribution rates will fluctuate over 
the long term as a result of future remarketing activities.

                                       7


<PAGE>

                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
                         ------------------------------

To the Participants of AFG Investment Trust D:
 
    We have audited the accompanying statement of financial position of AFG 
Investment Trust D as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related 
statements of operations, changes in participants' capital, and cash flows 
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994. These financial 
statements are the responsibility of the Trust'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 AFG Investment 
Trust D at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its operations and 
its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, 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 the Annual Report to the Participants 
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 14, 1997

 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                             AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D 
   
                         STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 

                            DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996           1995
                                                                 -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>
ASSETS
- ------

Cash and cash equivalents......................................  $   6,640,347  $     669,998

Rents receivable...............................................      3,347,306      2,854,161

Accounts receivable--affiliate.................................      3,845,655        109,551

Equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of
  $29,093,445 and $15,958,176 at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
  respectively.................................................     61,357,491     83,883,410
Organization costs, net of accumulated amortization of $3,250
  and $2,250 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.......          1,750          2,750
                                                                 -------------  -------------
Total assets...................................................  $  75,192,549  $  87,519,870
                                                                 -------------  -------------
                                                                 -------------  -------------
LIABILITIES AND PARTICIPANTS' CAPITAL
- -------------------------------------

Notes payable..................................................  $  32,827,977  $  42,655,805
Accrued interest...............................................        727,187        677,345
Accrued liabilities............................................         23,250         43,851
Accrued liabilities--affiliate.................................        214,247         97,588
Deferred rental income.........................................        200,836        358,760
Cash distributions payable to participants.....................        314,216        241,702
                                                                 -------------  -------------
Total liabilities..............................................     34,307,713     44,075,051
                                                                 -------------  -------------
Participants' capital (deficit):
   Managing Trustee............................................        (62,865)       (37,265)
   Special Beneficiary.........................................       (525,884)      (314,685)
   Beneficiary Interests (2,089,030 Interests; initial purchase
    price of $25 each).........................................     41,473,585     43,796,769
                                                                 -------------  -------------
Total participants' capital....................................     40,884,836     43,444,819
                                                                 -------------  -------------
participants' capital..........................................  $  75,192,549  $  87,519,870
                                                                 -------------  -------------
                                                                 -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 

      The accompanying notes are an integral part of
              these financial statements

                                       9

<PAGE>

                            AFG Investment Trust D 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
               for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1996            1995           1994
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                                                          <C>            <C>            <C>
Income:
Lease revenue........................................................  $  27,093,125  $  17,068,315  $  7,972,559

Interest income......................................................        197,035        423,700       308,028

Gain (loss) on sale of equipment.....................................     (5,149,874)     1,466,398            --
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------

   Total income......................................................     22,140,286     18,958,413     8,280,587
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
Expenses:

Depreciation and amortization........................................     13,981,912     11,013,576     5,554,146

Write-down of equipment..............................................      2,400,000       --             --

Interest expense.....................................................      3,480,122      3,228,262       899,227

Interest expense--affiliate..........................................       --                  117        39,828

Equipment management fees--affiliate.................................      1,071,560        737,323       303,749

Operating expenses--affiliate........................................        576,157        349,804       189,636
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
   Total expenses....................................................     21,509,751     15,329,082     6,986,586
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
Net income...........................................................  $     630,535  $   3,629,331  $  1,294,001
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
Net income per Beneficiary Interest..................................  $        0.27  $        1.59  $       0.88
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
Cash distributions declared per Beneficiary Interest.................  $        1.39  $        2.10  $       2.40
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
                                                                       -------------  -------------  ------------
</TABLE>

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

                                       10

<PAGE>

                                AFG Investment Trust D

                     STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTICIPANTS' CAPITAL 
                  for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        MANAGING       SPECIAL           BENEFICIARIES
                                        TRUSTEE      BENEFICIARY  ---------------------------
                                         AMOUNT        AMOUNT      INTERESTS       AMOUNT         TOTAL
                                     --------------  -----------  ------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                     <C>             <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>           
Balance at December 31,1993........     $(3,234)     $ (33,934)    $ 615,220    $ 13,540,083    13,502,915

Participants' capital
  contribution.....................        --             --       1,238,493      30,962,325    30,962,325
Less:
   Selling commissions.............        --             --          --          (2,167,363)   (2,167,363)
   Organization and offering costs.        --             --          --            (774,058)     (774,058)

Net income--1994...................      12,940        106,755        --           1,174,306     1,294,001

Cash distributions declared........     (35,238)      (290,711)       --          (3,197,820)   (3,523,769)
                                       ---------      ---------    ---------     ------------   -----------  
Balance at December 31, 1994.......     (25,532)      (217,890)    1,853,713      39,537,473    39,294,051

Participants' capital
  contribution.....................        --             --         235,317       5,882,925     5,882,925
Less:
   Selling commissions ............        --             --          --            (411,805)     (411,805)
   Organization and 
    offering costs ................        --             --          --            (147,073)     (147,073)

Net income--1995...................      36,293        299,420        --           3,293,618      3,629,331

Cash distributions declared........     (48,026)      (396,215)       --          (4,358,369)    (4,802,610)
                                       ---------      ---------    ---------     ------------   -----------  
Balance at December 31,1995........     (37,265)      (314,685)    2,089,030      43,796,769     43,444,819

Net income--1996...................       6,305         52,019        --             572,211        630,535

Cash distributions declared........     (31,905)      (263,218)       --          (2,895,395)    (3,190,518)
                                       ---------      ---------    ---------     ------------   -----------  
Balance at December 31, 1996.......    $(62,865)    $ (525,884)  $ 2,089,030    $ 41,473,585   $ 40,884,836
                                       ---------      ---------    ---------     ------------   -----------  
                                       ---------      ---------    ---------     ------------   -----------  

</TABLE>
 


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

                                       11

<PAGE>

                                AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D
 
                               STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
                FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1996           1995           1994
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                          <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities:
Net income...........................................................  $     630,535  $   3,629,331  $   1,294,001

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating
  activities:
   Depreciation and amortization.....................................     13,981,912     11,013,576      5,554,146
   Write-down of equipment...........................................      2,400,000             --             --
   (Gain) loss on sale of equipment..................................      5,149,874     (1,466,398)            --

Changes in assets and liabilities:
   Decrease (increase) in:
     Rents receivable................................................       (493,145)    (1,832,104)      (606,831)
     Accounts receivable -affiliate..................................     (3,736,104)       458,361       (452,105)
   Increase (decrease) in:
     Accounts payable................................................             --             --        (59,556)
     Accrued interest................................................         49,842        412,865        291,570
     Accrued liabilities.............................................        (20,601)       (18,284)        50,635
     Accrued liabilities -affiliate..................................        116,659         49,350         23,148
     Deferred rental income..........................................       (157,924)       185,794          3,286
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
         Net cash from operating activities..........................     17,921,048     12,432,491      6,098,294
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities:
     Purchase of equipment...........................................     (1,243,539)   (52,331,336)   (27,166,357)
     Proceeds from equipment sales...................................      2,238,672      2,857,412             --
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
         Net cash from (used in) investing activities................        995,133    (49,473,924)   (27,166,357)

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:
     Proceeds from capital contributions.............................             --      5,882,925     30,962,325
     Payment of selling commissions..................................             --       (411,805)    (2,167,363)
     Payment of organization and offering costs......................             --       (147,073)      (774,058)
     Proceeds from notes payable.....................................      9,862,477     36,133,500      9,136,155
     Proceeds from notes payable--affiliate..........................             --             --      5,275,161
     Principal payments--notes payable...............................    (19,690,305)    (8,552,140)    (3,125,405)
     Principal payments--notes payable--affiliate....................             --             --     (5,665,329)
     Distributions paid..............................................     (3,118,004)    (4,992,336)    (3,196,705)
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
         Net cash from (used in) financing activities................    (12,945,832)    27,913,071     30,444,781

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents.................      5,970,349     (9,128,362)     9,376,718

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.......................        669,998      9,798,360        421,642
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year.............................  $   6,640,347  $     669,998  $   9,798,360
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
     Cash paid during the year for interest..........................  $   3,430,280  $   2,818,802  $     646,022
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
        During 1995, the Trust sold equipment to a third party which assumed 
        related debt and interest of $2,170,369 and $95,675, respectively. 

        The accompanying notes are in integral part of these financial 
        statements.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                               AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D 
 
                         NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

                                DECEMBER 31, 1996
 

NOTE 1--ORGANIZATION AND TRUST MATTERS
- --------------------------------------
 
    The Trust was organized as a Delaware business trust in accordance with 
the Delaware Business Trust Act on August 31, 1992 for the purpose of 
acquiring and leasing to third parties a diversified portfolio of capital 
equipment. Participants' capital initially consisted of contributions of 
$1,000 from the Managing Trustee, AFG ASIT Corporation, $1,000 from the 
Special Beneficiary, Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership (formerly 
American Finance Group), a Massachusetts limited partnership ("EFG"), and 
$100 from the Initial Beneficiary, AFG Assignor Corporation, a wholly-owned 
affiliate of EFG. The Trust's first Interim Closing occurred on October 26, 
1993 and resulted in the purchase price of $5,108,875. As of December 31, 
1995, the Trust had concluded an additional sixteen Interim Closings which 
collectively resulted in the issuance of 1,884,675 Beneficiary Interests to 
2,375 investors, having an aggregate subscription price of $47,116,875. The 
trust's final closing occurred on February 6, 1995. In total, the trust has 
issued 2,089,030 Beneficiary Interests representing a total purchase price of 
$52,225,750 to 2,635 investors. The Trust's Managing Trustee, AFG ASIT 
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation and affiliate of EFG, is responsible 
for the general management and business affairs of the Trust. EFG is the 
Special Beneficiary of the Trust and also acts as Advisor to the Trust. As 
Advisor, EFG provides services in connection with the acquisition and 
remarketing of the Trust's assets. The Managing Trustee and the Special 
Beneficiary are not required to make any other capital contributions except 
as may be required under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the 
"Trust Agreement").
 
    Significant operations commenced coincident with the Trust's initial 
purchase of equipment and the associated lease commitments on October 26, 
1993. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, each distribution of Distributable 
Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings of the 
Trust shall be made 90.75% to the Beneficiaries, 8.25% to the Special 
Beneficiary and 1% to the Managing Trustee.
 
    Under the terms of the Management Agreement between the Trust and EFG, 
management services are provided by EFG to the Trust at fees which the 
Managing Trustee believes to be competitive for similar services. (Also see 
Note 4.)
 
    EFG is a Massachusetts limited partnership formerly known as American 
Finance Group ("AFG"). AFG was established in 1988 as a Massachusetts general 
partnership and succeeded American Finance Group, Inc., a Massachusetts 
corporation organized in 1980. EFG and its subsidiaries (collectively, the 
"Company") are engaged in various aspects of the equipment leasing business, 
including EFG's role as Equipment Manager or Advisor to the Trust and several 
other Direct-Participation equipment leasing programs sponsored or 
co-sponsored by EFG (the "Other Investment Programs"). The Company arranges 
to broker or originate equipment leases, acts as remarketing agent and asset 
manager, and provides leasing support services, such as billing, collecting, 
and asset tracking.
 
    The general partner of EFG, with a 1% controlling interest, is Equis 
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation owned and controlled entirely by 
Gary D. Engle, its President and Chief Executive Officer. Equis Corporation 
also owns a controlling 1% general partner interest in EFG's 99% limited 
partner, GDE Acquisition Limited Partnership ("GDE LP"). Equis Corporation 
and GDE LP were established in December 1994 by Mr. Engle for the sole 
purpose of acquiring the business of AFG.
 
    In January 1996, the Company sold certain assets of AFG relating 
primarily to the business of originating new leases, and the name "American 
Finance Group," and its acronym to a third party (the "Buyer"). AFG changed 
its name to Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership after the sale was 
concluded. Pursuant to terms of the sale agreements, EFG agreed not to 
compete with the Buyer's lease period of five years; however, EFG is 
permitted to originate certain equipment leases, principally those involving 
non-investment grade lessees and ocean-going vessels, which are not in 
competition with the Buyer. In addition, the sale 

                                       13

<PAGE>

                                AFG Investment Trust D
                           Notes to the Financial Statements
 
                                     (Continued)

agreements specifically reserved to EFG the rights to continue using the name 
American Finance Group and its acronym in connection with the Trust and the 
Other Investment Programs and to continue managing all assets owned by the 
Trust and the Other Investment Programs, including the right to satisfy all 
required equipment acquisitions utilizing either brokers or the Buyer. 
Geoffrey A. MacDonald, Chairman of Equis Corporation and Gary D. Engle agreed 
not to compete with the sold business on terms and conditions similar to 
those for the Company.
 
NOTE 2--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
- -----------------------
 
    The Trust considers liquid investment instruments purchased with a 
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. From time to time, 
the Trust 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 Trust. The 
securities underlying the agreements are book entry securities. Approximately 
$9,000,000 of the Trust's working capital at December 31, 1996, including 
approximately $6,000,000 of cash, is expected to be used to acquire 
reinvestment equipment in 1997 and 1998.
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
- -------------------
 
    Rents are payable to the Trust 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. In certain instances, 
the Trust may enter primary-term, renewal or re-lease agreements which expire 
beyond the Trust's anticipated dissolution date. This circumstance is not 
expected to prevent the orderly wind-up of the Trust's business activities as 
the Managing Trustee and the Advisor would seek to sell the then-remaining 
equipment assets either to the lessee or to a third party, taking into 
consideration the amount of future non-cancelable rental payments associated 
with the attendant lease agreements. Future minimum rents of $49,905,144 are 
due as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                              <C>
For the year ending December 31, 1997..........................  $17,982,522
                                 1998..........................   13,080,840
                                 1999..........................   9,188,608
                                 2000..........................   5,365,027
                                 2001..........................   2,551,644
                           Thereafter..........................   1,736,503
                                                                 ----------
Total..........................................................  $49,905,144
                                                                 ----------
                                                                 ----------
</TABLE>

    Revenue from major individual lessees which accounted for 10% or more of
lease revenue during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>         <C>          <C>

                                                                    1996         1995         1994
                                                                    ----        ------       ------
    
Emery Worldwide..............................................         --     $2,402,532          --
Chantel Shipping Corporation.................................         --     $1,717,796          --
Stena Bulk AB................................................  $6,959,077    $1,894,280   $1,894,283
British Airways Plc..........................................         --             --   $1,680,000
Diamond Shamrock Refining and Marketing Company..............         --             --   $1,159,454
</TABLE>

                                       14

<PAGE>
                                AFG Investment Trust D
                           Notes to the Financial Statements

                                     (Continued)

    In 1996, the Trust realized early termination proceeds of $5,217,665 
related to the sale of the Stena vessel to the existing lessee. Refer to Note 
3 to the financial statements for further discussion of this transaction.
 
    During March 1996, the Trust acquired an 8.86% proportionate ownership 
interest in an MD-87 jet aircraft leased by Reno Air, Inc. (the "Reno 
Aircraft") -See Note 3 herein. The Trust will receive approximately $159,000 
of rental revenue in each of the years in the period ending December 31, 
2002. Rents from the Reno Aircraft, as provided for in the lease agreement, 
are adjusted monthly for changes of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate 
("LIBOR"). Future rents from the Reno Aircraft included above reflect the 
most recent LIBOR effected rental payment.
 
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 EFG, one of its Affiliates or from 
third-party sellers. Equipment cost represents Asset Base Price plus 
acquisition fees and was determined in accordance with the Trust Agreement 
and certain regulatory guidelines. Asset Base Price is affected by the 
relationship of the seller to the Trust as summarized herein. Where the 
seller of the equipment was EFG or an Affiliate, Asset Base Price was the 
lower of (i) the actual price paid for the equipment by EFG or the Affiliate 
plus all actual costs accrued by EFG or the Affiliate while carrying the 
equipment less the amount of all primary term rents earned by EFG or the 
Affiliate prior to selling the equipment or (ii) fair market value as 
determined by the Managing Trustee 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 Trustee. Where the 
seller of the equipment was a third party who also manufactured the 
equipment, Asset Base Price was the manufacturer's invoice price, net of any 
manufacturer rebates or incentives, which price was considered to be 
representative of fair market value.
 
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
- -----------------------------
 
    The Trust'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 Trust 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 Trust 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 Trustee evaluates 
the net carrying value of equipment to determine whether it exceeds estimated 
net realizable value. For purposes of this comparison, "net carrying value" 
represents, at a given date, the net book value (equipment cost less 
accumulated depreciation for financial reporting purposes) of the Trust's 
equipment and "net realizable value" represents, at the same date, the 
aggregate undiscounted cash flows resulting from future contracted lease 
payments plus the estimated residual value of the Trust's equipment. The 
Managing Trustee evaluates significant equipment assets, such as aircraft and 
vessels, individually. All other assets are evaluated collectively by 
equipment type unless the Managing Trustee learns of specific circumstances, 
such as a lessee default, technological obsolescence, or other market 

                                       15
<PAGE>

                             AFG Investment Trust D
                       Notes to the Financial Statements
  
                                  (Continued)

developments, which could affect the net realizable value of particular 
assets. 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 EFG'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. EFG attempts to monitor these changes in order to 
identify opportunities which may be advantageous to the Trust and which will 
maximize total cash returns for each asset.

     Organization costs are amortized using the straight-line method over a 
period of five years.
 
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES--AFFILIATE
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
    The Trust reports the unpaid cost of equipment purchased from third-party 
vendors as Accounts Payable. Unpaid operating expenses paid by EFG on behalf 
of the Trust and accrued but unpaid administrative charges 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 
Participant according to their respective ownership percentages (90.75% to 
the Beneficiaries, 8.25% to the Special Beneficiary and 1% to the Managing 
Trustee). See Note 6 concerning allocation of income or loss for income tax 
purposes.
 
NET INCOME AND CASH DISTRIBUTIONS PER BENEFICIARY INTEREST
- ----------------------------------------------------------
 
    Net income and cash distributions per Beneficiary Interest are based on 
2,089,030 Beneficiary Interests outstanding during the year ended December 
31, 1996 and the weighted average number of Beneficiary Interests outstanding 
during the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 after allocation of the 
Managing Trustee's and Special Beneficiary's shares of net income and cash 
distributions. The weighted average number of Beneficiary Interests 
outstanding during the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 were 2,073,427, 
and 1,332,575, respectively. The weighted average number of Beneficiary 
Interests was calculated based on the total number of Beneficiary Interests 
outstanding and the number of days each Beneficiary Interest was outstanding 
during the respective periods. 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
- --------------------------
 
    No provision or benefit from income taxes is included in the accompanying 
financial statements. The Participants are responsible for reporting their 
proportionate shares of the Trust'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 amounts. 
Statement 121 also addresses the accounting for long-lived assets that are 
expected to be disposed of. The Trust

                                       16

<PAGE>

                             AFG Investment Trust D
                       Notes to the Financial Statements
  
                                  (Continued)


adopted Statement 121 in the first quarter of 1996. The adoption of Statement 
121 did not have a material effect on the financial statements of the Trust.
 
NOTE 3--EQUIPMENT
- -----------------
 
    The following is a summary of equipment owned by the Trust at December 
31, 1996. Remaining Lease Term (Months), as used below, represents the number 
of months remaining from December 31, 1996 under contracted lease terms and 
is presented as a range when more than one lease agreement is contained in 
the stated equipment category. In the opinion of EFG, the acquisition cost of 
the equipment did not exceed its fair market value.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        
                                              Remaining               
                                              Lease Term     Equipment 
Equipment Type                                 (Months)       at Cost           Location
- ----------------------------------          -------------   -----------  --------------------------------------
                                
<S>                                               <C>            <C>            <C>
Aircraft                                         12-74    $  22,779,945  MA/NV/OH/Foreign
Locomotives                                      29-43       17,205,933  IL/NE/PA
Vessels                                             70       13,875,360  Foreign
Computers and peripherals                         1-24        6,953,607  AL/CA/CO/FL/GA/IL/IN/KS/MA/MD
                                                                         MI/MN/NC/NE/NY/OH/TN/T X/WI Foreign
Construction and mining                          15-66        6,205,962  FL/IL/MI/PA/VA/Foreign
Materials handling                               12-64        6,124,033  AK/CA/CO/GA/IL/IN/MI/MN/MS/ NC
                                                                         NJ/NY/OH/OR/TX/WV/WI
Retail store fixtures                             6-37        4,930,049  CO/NM/OK/TX
Manufacturing                                    17-24        3,849,128  CA/NJ
Miscellaneous                                    12-48        3,564,568  FL/LA/NC/TX
Communications                                   12-14        1,834,800  CA/LA
Tractors and heavy duty trucks                    1-25        1,274,458  CA/CT/NJ/TN/TX/UT/IN/SC
Trailers/intermodal containers                   18-40          812,037  GA/KY/NC/OH
Research and test                                 3-40          664,901  MI/NC/WI
Furniture and fixtures                           12-14          271,945  NC
Photocopying                                       2-3           65,711  CT/WI
Motor vehicles                                      24           38,499  MI
                                                            -----------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
                Total equipment cost.......................  90,450,936
                Accumulated depreciation...................  (29,093,445)
                                                           -------------
                Equipment, net of accumulated 
                        depreciation.......................  $61,357,491
                                                            -------------
                                                            ------------- 
</TABLE>
 
    In December 1996, the Trust sold its ownership interest in a vessel with 
a cost and net book value of $9,296,103 and $6,482,211, respectively. In 
connection with this sale, the Trust realized early termination proceeds of 
$5,217,665 and sale proceeds of $1,618,169 which resulted in a net loss, for 
financial statement purposes, of $4,864,042. This equipment was sold prior to 
the expiration of the related lease term. The Trust intends to reinvest these 
proceeds, net of associated debt, in other equipment in 1997.
 
    In March 1996, the Trust acquired an 8.86% ownership interest in the Reno 
Aircraft, pursuant to the reinvestment provisions of the Trust's prospectus, 
at a cost of $1,239,741. To acquire its interest in the Reno Aircraft, the 
Trust obtained leveraging of $997,888 from a third-party lender and utilized 
cash proceeds of $241,853.

                                       17

<PAGE>
 
                             AFG Investment Trust D
                       Notes to the Financial Statements
  
                                  (Continued)

    In certain cases, the cost of the Trust's equipment represents a 
proportionate ownership interest. The remaining interests are owned by EFG or 
an affiliated equipment leasing program sponsored by EFG. The Trust 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 Trust 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, industryequipment having a proportionate original cost of 
$15,368,258, representing approximately 17% 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 $79,483,000 and a net book value of approximately $54,628,000 
at December 31, 1996. (See Note 5.)
 
    Generally, the costs associated with maintaining, insuring and operating 
the Trust's equipment are incurred by the respective lessees pursuant to 
terms specified in their individual lease agreements with the Trust.
 
    As equipment is sold to third parties, or otherwise disposed of, the 
Trust will recognize 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 sale or disposition. The ultimate realization of 
estimated residual value in the equipment will be dependent upon, among other 
things, EFG's ability to maximize proceeds from selling or re-leasing the 
equipment upon the expiration of the primary lease terms. At December 31, 
1996, the Trust was not holding any equipment not subject to a lease and no 
equipment was held for sale or re-lease.
 
    The Trust recorded a write-down of the carrying value of its interest in 
an aircraft, representing an impairment, during the year ended December 31, 
1996. The resulting charge, $2,400,000 ($1.04 per Beneficiary Interest) in 
1996 was based on a comparison of the estimated net realizable value and 
corresponding carrying value for the Trust's interest in the aircraft.
 
NOTE 4--RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
- ----------------------------------
 
    All operating expenses incurred by the Trust are paid by EFG on behalf of 
the Trust and EFG is reimbursed at its actual cost for such expenditures. 
Fees and other costs incurred during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 
and 1994, which were paid or accrued by the Trust to EFG or its Affiliates, 
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1996          1995          1994
                                                                            ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
Reimbursements for selling commissions..................................            --   $   411,805  $  2,167,363
Reimbursements for organization and offering costs......................            --       147,073       774,058
Equipment acquisition fees..............................................  $     36,120       210,276        75,846
Equipment management fees...............................................     1,071,560       737,323       303,749
Administrative charges..................................................        48,638        21,000        14,000
Reimbursable operating expenses due to third parties....................       527,519       328,804       175,636
Interest on notes payable--affiliate....................................            --           117        39,828
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
Total...................................................................  $  1,683,837  $  1,856,398  $  3,550,480
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>

                                       18

<PAGE>
  
                              AFG Investment Trust D
                         Notes to the Financial Statements
    
                                   (Continued)


    American Finance Group Securities Corp., an affiliate of EFG, was paid 
the entire amount of selling commissions incurred at each of the Closings of 
the Trust. Commissions of $2,579,168, relating to the Closings during 1994 
and 1995, were then paid to the Soliciting Dealers responsible for the sales. 
No Soliciting Dealer commissions were earned by American Finance Group 
Securities Corp. for Interests sold to an unrelated party.

    As provided under the terms of the Trust Agreement, EFG is compensated 
for management and sale of equipment. For acquisition services, EFG is 
compensated by an amount equal to .28% of Asset Base Price paid by the Trust. 
For acquisition services resulting from reinvestment, EFG is compensated by 
an amount equal to 3% of Equipment Base Price paid by the Trust. For 
management services, EFG is compensated by an amount equal to the lesser of 
(i) 5% of gross operating lease rental revenue and 2% of gross full payout 
lease rental revenue received by the Trust or (ii) fees which the Managing 
Trustee reasonably believes to be competitive for similar services for 
similar equipment. Both of these fees are subject to certain limitations 
defined in the Trust Agreement. Compensation to EFG for services connected to 
the remarketing 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 
Trust Agreement.
 
    Administrative charges represent amounts owed to EFG, pursuant to Section 
10.4(c) of the Trust Agreement, for persons employed by EFG who are engaged 
in providing administrative services to the Trust. Reimbursable operating 
expenses due to third parties represent costs paid by EFG on behalf of the 
Trust which are reimbursed to EFG.
 
    All equipment was purchased from EFG, one of its Affiliates, or directly 
from third-party sellers. The Trust's Purchase Price is determined by the 
method described in Note 2, Equipment on Lease.
 
    All rents and proceeds from the sale of equipment are paid by the lessee 
directly to either EFG or to a lender. EFG temporarily deposits collected 
funds in a separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to 
the Trust. At December 31, 1996, the Trust was owed $1,865,582 by EFG for 
such funds and the interest thereon. This balance includes equipment sale 
proceeds of approximately $1,618,000 which relate to the sale of certain 
vessel equipment in December 1996. Debt proceeds of $1,980,073, which relate 
to the leveraging of certain rail equipment in the Trust's portfolio, were 
deposited into the escrow account on December 31, 1996. These funds were 
remitted to the Trust in January 1997.
 
NOTE 5--NOTES PAYABLE
- ---------------------
 
    Notes payable at December 31, 1996 consisted of installment notes of 
$32,827,977 payable to banks and institutional lenders. The notes bear 
interest rates ranging between 5.1% and 13.75% except for one note which 
bears a fluctuating interest rate based on LIBOR plus a margin (5.5% at 
December 31, 1996). All of the installment notes are non-recourse and are 
collateralized by the equipment and assignment of the related lease payments. 
Generally, the installment notes will be fully amortized by noncancellable 
rents. However, the Trust has balloon payment obligations of $282,421 and 
$1,476,981 at the expiration of the primary lease terms related to the Reno 
Aircraft and certain rail equipment, respectively. The carrying value of 
notes payable approximates fair value at December 31, 1996.

    The annual maturities of the installment notes payable are as follows:
 
                                       19

<PAGE>
 
                             AFG Investment Trust D
                         Notes to the Financial Statements
    
                                   (Continued)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
For the year ending December 31, 1997................................... $11,864,259
                                 1998...................................   7,581,931
                                 1999...................................   5,334,484
                                 2000...................................   4,774,982
                                 2001...................................   1,729,169
                           Thereafter...................................   1,543,152
                                                                         -----------
                                Total................................... $32,827,977
                                                                         -----------
                                                                         -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings from EFG for 
the purchase of equipment was 11% and 9.1% during the years ended December 
31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
NOTE 6--INCOME TAXES
- --------------------
 
    The Trust is not a taxable entity for federal income tax purposes. 
Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been recorded in the accounts 
of the Trust.
 
    For financial statement purposes, the Trust allocates net income or loss 
to each class of participant according to their respective ownership 
percentages (90.75% to the Beneficiaries, 8.25% to the Special Beneficiary 
and 1% to the Managing Trustee). This convention differs from the income or 
loss allocation requirements for income tax and Dissolution Event purposes as 
delineated in the Trust Agreement. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, for 
income tax purposes, the Trust allocates net income, to the extent available, 
pro-rata to any Participant with a negative capital account balance so as to 
eliminate any such balance. In accordance with the Trust Agreement, upon 
dissolution of the Trust, the Managing Trustee will be required to contribute 
to the Trust an amount equal to any negative balance which may exist in the 
Managing Trustee's tax capital account. At December 31, 1996, the Managing 
Trustee had a negative tax capital account balance.
 
    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, 1996, 1995 and 1994:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                                   1996           1995           1994     
                                                                                    -------------     -------------   -------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>             <C>            <C>
Net income......................................................................... $   630,535        $  3,629,331   $   1,294,001
   Tax depreciation in excess of 
     financial statement depreciation..............................................  (5,450,339)         (6,896,894)     (3,178,196)
Write-down of equipment............................................................   2,400,000              --               --
Tax gain (loss) in excess of 
     book gain (loss)..............................................................    (720,447)            388,382           --
Prepaid rental income..............................................................    (157,924)            185,794           3,286
Other..............................................................................       3,790             (42,786)         46,633 
                                                                                    -------------     -------------   -------------
Net loss for federal income tax reporting purposes................................. $(3,294,385)      $  (2,736,173)  $  (1,834,276)
                                                                                    -------------     -------------   -------------
                                                                                    -------------     -------------   -------------

</TABLE>


The following is a reconciliation between participants' capital reported 
for financial statement and federal income tax reporting purposes for the 
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995: 


                                       20

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             AFG Investment Trust D
                         Notes to the Financial Statements
    
                                   (Continued)
                                                                     1996           1995
                                                                 -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>
Participants' capital..........................................  $  40,884,836  $  43,444,819

Add back selling commissions and organization and offering
  costs........................................................      4,956,447      4,956,447

Financial statement distributions in excess of tax
  distributions................................................         29,065         22,129

Cumulative difference between federal income tax and financial)
  statement income (loss)......................................    (13,293,561)    (9,368,641)
                                                                 -------------  -------------
Participants' capital for federal income tax reporting
  purposes.....................................................  $  32,576,787  $  39,054,754
                                                                 -------------  -------------
                                                                 -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Financial statement distributions in excess of tax distributions and 
cumulative difference between federal income tax and financial statement 
income (loss) represent timing differences.
 
NOTE 7--LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
- -------------------------
 
    On July 27, 1995, EFG, on behalf of the Trust and other EFG-sponsored 
investment programs, filed an action in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Superior Court Department of the Trial Court in and for the County of 
Suffolk, for damages and declaratory relief against a lessee of the Trust, 
National Steel Corporation ("National Steel"), under a certain Master Lease 
Agreement ("MLA") for the lease of certain equipment. EFG is seeking the 
reimbursement by National Steel of certain sales and/or use taxes paid to the 
State of Illinois and other remedies provided by the MLA. On August 30, 1995, 
National Steel filed a Notice of Removal which removed the case to the United 
States District Court, District of Massachusetts. On September 7, 1995, 
National Steel filed its Answer to EFG's Complaint along with Affirmative 
Defenses and Counterclaims, seeking declaratory relief and alleging breach of 
contract, implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and specific 
performance. EFG filed its Answer to these counterclaims on September 29, 
1995. Though the parties have been discussing settlement with respect to this 
matter for some time, to date, the negotiations have been unsuccessful. 
Notwithstanding these discussions, EFG recently filed an Amended and 
Supplemental Complaint alleging further default under the MLA and the matter 
remains pending before the Court. The Trust has not experienced any material 
losses as a result of this action.
 
NOTE 8--SOLICITATION STATEMENT
- ------------------------------
 
    On October 26, 1996, the Managing Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, filed 
a Solicitation Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which 
was subsequently sent to the Beneficiaries pursuant to Regulation 14A of 
Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act. The Solicitation Statement sought 
to solicit the consent of the Beneficiaries to a proposed amendment ("the 
Amendment") to the Trust Agreement.
 
    The Amendment would (i) amend the provisions of the Trust Agreement 
governing the redemption of Interests to permit the Trust to offer to redeem 
outstanding interests at such times, in such amounts, in such manner and at 
such prices as the Managing Trustee may determine from time to time, in 
accordance with applicable law; and (ii) add a provision to the Trust 
Agreement that would permit the Trust to issue, at the discretion of the 
Managing Trustee and without further consent or approval of the 
Beneficiaries, an additional class 

                                       21

<PAGE>

                             AFG Investment Trust D
                         Notes to the Financial Statements
    
                                   (Continued)

of security with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, 
optional or other special rights, powers and duties as the Managing Trustee 
may fix. Such a security, if it were more expansive Interest redemption 
opportunities for Beneficiaries without using Trust funds which may otherwise 
be available for current cash distributions; and (b) make a special one-time 
distribution to the Beneficiaries.
 
    Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the adoption of the Amendment required 
the consent of the Beneficiaries holding more than fifty percent in the 
aggregate of the Interests held by all Beneficiaries. A majority of 
Beneficiary Interests, representing 1,210,746 or 58% of all Beneficiary 
Interests, voted in favor of the Amendment; 229,836 or 11% of all Beneficiary 
Interests voted against the Amendment; and 39,233 or 2% of all Beneficiary 
Interests abstained. Approximately 71% of all Beneficiary Interests 
participated in the vote. Accordingly, the Amendment was adopted.
 
NOTE 9--SUBSEQUENT EVENT
- ------------------------
 
    On February 12, 1997, the Trust filed a Registration Statement on Form 
S-1 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission which covers, 
among other things, the creation and sale of a new class of beneficiary 
interest in the Trust (the "Class B Interests"). A portion of the proceeds 
from the offering of the Class B Interests would be used to make a one-time 
special cash distribution to existing Beneficiaries (the "Class A 
Beneficiaries") of the Trust and to enable the Trust to redeem a portion of 
the existing Beneficiary Interests (the "Class A Interests"). The 
characteristics of the Class B Interests, associated risk factors, and other 
matters of importance to the Beneficiaries and prospective purchasers of the 
Class B Interests are contained in the Registration Statement. Presently, the 
Registration Statement is undergoing regulatory review and has not been 
declared effective.
 


                                       22


<PAGE>




                         ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION


<PAGE>

                               AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D
 
              SCHEDULE OF EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF TOTAL CASH GENERATED TO COST
                                OF EQUIPMENT DISPOSED
 
                 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 
    The Trust 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 Trust for such equipment.
 
    The following is a summary of cash excess associated with equipment 
dispositions occurring in the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995. No 
equipment was disposed of during the year ended December 31, 1994.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1996          1995
                                                                         ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                           <C>           <C>
Rents earned prior to disposal of equipment, 
    net of interest charges...........................................  $  11,043,130    $  811,471

Sale proceeds, including assumption of debt and interest,
    realized upon disposition of equipment.............................     2,238,672     5,123,456
                                                                         ------------  ------------

Total cash generated from rents and equipment 
    sale proceeds......................................................    13,281,802     5,934,927

Original acquisition cost of equipment disposed........................    10,634,189     4,550,441
                                                                         ------------  ------------

Excess of total cash generated to cost of equipment disposed...........     2,647,613  $  1,384,486
                                                                         ------------  ------------
                                                                         ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       23
<PAGE>

                              AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D     
 
           STATEMENT OF CASH AND DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FROM OPERATIONS,
                             SALES AND REFINANCINGS
 
                        for the year ended December 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        SALES AND
                                                                        OPERATIONS    REFINANCINGS       TOTAL
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                          <C>            <C>            <C>
Net income (loss)....................................................  $   5,780,409  $  (5,149,874) $     630,535
Add:
   Depreciation and amortization.....................................     13,981,912             --     13,981,912
   Write-down of equipment...........................................      2,400,000             --      2,400,000
   Management fees...................................................      1,071,560             --      1,071,560
   Book value of disposed equipment..    ............................             --      7,388,546      7,388,546

Less:
   Principal repayment of notes .....................................    (17,777,714)    (1,912,591)   (19,690,305)
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

   Cash from operations, sales and refinancings......................      5,456,167        326,081      5,782,248

Less:
   Management fees...................................................     (1,071,560)            --     (1,071,560)
                                                                         -------------    ----------    ------------

   Distributable cash from operations, 
   sales and refinancings............................................      4,384,607        326,081      4,710,688


   Other sources and uses of cash:
   Cash at beginning of year.........................................        546,090        123,908        669,998
   Proceeds from notes payable.......................................      3,447,922      6,414,555      9,862,477
   Purchase of equipment.............................................             --     (1,243,539)    (1,243,539)
   Net change in receivables and accruals............................     (4,241,273)            --     (4,241,273)

Less:
   Cash distributions paid...........................................       --           (3,118,004)    (3,118,004)
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

   Cash at end of year................................................  $  4,137,346  $   2,503,001  $   6,640,347
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 

                                       24

<PAGE>

                              AFG INVESTMENT TRUST D
 
                        SCHEDULE OF COSTS REIMBURSED TO THE
                       MANAGING TRUSTEE AND ITS AFFILIATES AS
                    REQUIRED BY SECTION 10.4 OF THE AMENDED AND
                          RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST
 
                                December 31, 1996
 
    For the year ended December 31, 1996 the Trust reimbursed the Managing
Trustee and its Affiliates for the following costs:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Operating expenses................................................  $ 658,922
</TABLE>
 
                                       25


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       6,640,347
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                6,992,961
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             6,994,711
<PP&E>                                      90,450,936
<DEPRECIATION>                              29,093,445
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              75,192,549
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,479,736
<BONDS>                                     32,307,713
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  40,884,836
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                75,192,549
<SALES>                                     27,093,125
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            22,140,286
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            18,029,629
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,480,122
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                630,535
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            650,535
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   630,535
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


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