
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COMBINED
BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 OF BOSTON PROPERTIES, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,611
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,805
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         978,106
<DEPRECIATION>                                 253,623
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 833,211
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      1,314,503
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (528,932)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   833,211
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               255,192
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              97,357
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,401
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    994
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,401
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        


</TABLE>
