WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
PUTNAM EQUITY FUND 2000
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> CLASS A
<S> <C>
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<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 5,710
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<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 3,600,454
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 430,163
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (1,824)
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (25,200)
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (1,824)
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<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 262,824
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (106)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1,863,278
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.98
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .13
[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
