SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                     FORM 15

                   Certification and Notice of Termination of
                       Registration under Section 12(g) of
                     the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or
                       Suspension of Duty to File Reports
                       Under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                         Commission File Number 0-15439

           PLM Transportation Equipment Partners IXC 1986 Income Fund


             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      One Market, Suite 900, Steuart Street Tower, San Francisco, CA 94105
                                 (415-974-1399)


  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

                            Limited Partnership Units


            (Title of each class of securities covered by this Form)

                                      None


 (Titles of all other  classes of  securities  for which a duty to file  reports
under Section 13(a) or 15(d) remains)


         Please  place an X in the box(es) to  designate  the  appropriate  rule
provision(s) relied upon to terminate or suspend the duty to file reports.

Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(i)  [ ]                       Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(ii)  [ ]
Rule 12g-4(a)(1)(ii) [ ]
Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(i)  [ ]                       Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(i)   [ ]
Rule 12g-4(a)(2)(ii) [ ]                       Rule 12h-3(b)(2)(ii)  [ ]
Rule 12h-3(b)(1)(i)  [X]                       Rule 15d-6            [ ]

Approximate number of holders of record as of the certification or notice date:
                                      537



Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (Name of
registrant as specified in charter) has caused this  certification/notice  to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized person.

Date: May 21, 1998                     By: /s/ Stephen M. Bess
                                           ------------------------
                                           Stephen M. Bess
                                           Vice President

Instruction:  This  form is  required  by Rules  12g-4,  12h-3  and 15d-6 of the
General Rules and  Regulations  under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934. The
registrant  shall file with the Commission three copies of Form 15, one of which
shall be manually signed.  It may be signed by an officer of the registrant,  by
counsel or by any other duly authorized person. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed under the signature.