<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000895234
<NAME> PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 6,589
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 1,323
<ALLOWANCES> (37)
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 71,658
<DEPRECIATION> (33,265)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 62,428
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 20,000
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 39,361
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 62,428
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 15,690
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 10,231
<LOSS-PROVISION> 113
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,094
<INCOME-PRETAX> 4,183
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,183
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,183
<EPS-BASIC> 0.71
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.71
</TABLE>