<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT TO
SHAREHOLDERS DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000101868
<NAME> WADDELL & REED ADVISORS VANGUARD FUND, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
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<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 3,056,311
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<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,077,905
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> (21,131)
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> (7,849)
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> (28,980)
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 215,264
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
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<EQUALIZATION> 0
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 45,454
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (35,928)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 14,360
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<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 14.17
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.04
</TABLE>