<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 A000000 04/30/1999
000 C000000 0000027801
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 6.1
000 J000000 U
001 A000000 DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS I, INC.
001 B000000 811-249
001 C000000 2152552923
002 A000000 2005 MARKET STREET
002 B000000 PHILADELPHIA
002 C000000 PA
002 D010000 19103
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 Y
007 B000000 2
007 C010100 1
007 C020100 DELAWARE BALANCED FUND
007 C030100 N
007 C010200 2
007 C020200 DEVON FUND
007 C030200 N
007 C010300 3
007 C010400 4
007 C010500 5
007 C010600 6
007 C010700 7
007 C010800 8
007 C010900 9
007 C011000 10
020 A000001 LEHMAN BROTHERS
020 B000001 13-2518466
020 C000001 126
020 A000002 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
020 B000002 22-2347336
020 C000002 69
020 A000003 ALEX BROWN AND SONS
020 B000003 52-1319768
020 C000003 69
020 A000004 PAINE WEBBER
020 B000004 13-2638166
020 C000004 55
020 A000005 WEEDON AND CO.
020 B000005 13-3185209
020 C000005 55
<PAGE> PAGE 2
020 A000006 MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE
020 B000006 13-5674085
020 C000006 51
020 A000007 A.G. EDWARDS
020 C000007 49
020 A000008 J.P. MORGAN AND CO.
020 B000008 13-3224016
020 C000008 45
020 A000009 SMITH BARNEY, INC.
020 B000009 13-1912900
020 C000009 41
020 A000010 ROBERT W. BAIRD AND CO.
020 C000010 36
021 000000 953
022 A000001 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
022 B000001 22-2347336
022 C000001 16979
022 D000001 37213
022 A000002 MORGAN STANLEY AND CO.
022 B000002 13-2655998
022 C000002 30583
022 D000002 14847
022 A000003 PAINEWEBBER, INC.
022 B000003 13-2638166
022 C000003 23323
022 D000003 4611
022 A000004 CREDIT SWISSE FIRST BOSTON
022 B000004 13-5659485
022 C000004 15131
022 D000004 9014
022 A000005 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
022 C000005 13391
022 D000005 10189
022 A000006 G.X. CLARKE
022 B000006 13-2969143
022 C000006 9171
022 D000006 12043
022 A000007 CANTOR AND FITZGERALD
022 B000007 13-3680184
022 C000007 7443
022 D000007 10528
022 A000008 SALOMON BROTHERS
022 B000008 13-3082694
022 C000008 16364
022 D000008 973
022 A000009 STARBOARD CAPITAL MARKETS
022 B000009 23-2770786
022 C000009 7480
022 D000009 7717
022 A000010 GOLDMAN SACHS AND CO.
022 B000010 13-5108880
<PAGE> PAGE 3
022 C000010 6624
022 D000010 7051
023 C000000 215204
023 D000000 150778
024 00AA00 N
027 000000 Y
077 A000000 Y
077 Q010000 Y
028 A010100 12747
028 A020100 0
028 A030100 0
028 A040100 7026
028 B010100 16192
028 B020100 43497
028 B030100 0
028 B040100 18172
028 C010100 27789
028 C020100 0
028 C030100 0
028 C040100 12988
028 D010100 20227
028 D020100 0
028 D030100 0
028 D040100 18386
028 E010100 23547
028 E020100 4566
028 E030100 0
028 E040100 13680
028 F010100 24235
028 F020100 0
028 F030100 0
028 F040100 20491
028 G010100 124737
028 G020100 48063
028 G030100 0
028 G040100 90743
028 H000100 38618
029 000100 Y
030 A000100 663
030 B000100 5.75
030 C000100 0.00
031 A000100 94
031 B000100 0
032 000100 569
033 000100 0
042 A000100 0
042 B000100 0
042 C000100 100
042 D000100 0
042 E000100 0
042 F000100 0
<PAGE> PAGE 4
042 G000100 0
042 H000100 0
043 000100 1028
044 000100 0
062 A000100 N
062 B000100 0.0
062 C000100 0.0
062 D000100 0.0
062 E000100 0.0
062 F000100 0.0
062 G000100 0.0
062 H000100 0.0
062 I000100 0.0
062 J000100 0.0
062 K000100 0.0
062 L000100 0.0
062 M000100 0.0
062 N000100 0.0
062 O000100 0.0
062 P000100 0.0
062 Q000100 0.0
062 R000100 0.0
070 A010100 Y
070 A020100 Y
070 B010100 Y
070 B020100 N
070 C010100 N
070 C020100 N
070 D010100 Y
070 D020100 N
070 E010100 N
070 E020100 N
070 F010100 N
070 F020100 N
070 G010100 N
070 G020100 N
070 H010100 N
070 H020100 N
070 I010100 N
070 I020100 N
070 J010100 Y
070 J020100 N
070 K010100 Y
070 K020100 N
070 L010100 Y
070 L020100 N
070 M010100 N
070 M020100 N
070 N010100 Y
070 N020100 Y
070 O010100 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 5
070 O020100 N
070 P010100 Y
070 P020100 N
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100 374710
071 B000100 343279
071 C000100 1004485
071 D000100 69
072 A000100 6
072 B000100 9762
072 C000100 4988
072 D000100 0
072 E000100 0
072 F000100 2650
072 G000100 199
072 H000100 0
072 I000100 888
072 J000100 6
072 K000100 0
072 L000100 0
072 M000100 8
072 N000100 5
072 O000100 0
072 P000100 0
072 Q000100 0
072 R000100 0
072 S000100 11
072 T000100 1028
072 U000100 0
072 V000100 0
072 W000100 0
072 X000100 4795
072 Y000100 0
072 Z000100 9955
072AA000100 38215
072BB000100 0
072CC010100 23914
072CC020100 0
072DD010100 11239
072DD020100 0
072EE000100 43887
073 A010100 0.2550
073 A020100 0.0000
073 B000100 1.0400
073 C000100 0.0000
074 A000100 0
074 B000100 19135
074 C000100 0
<PAGE> PAGE 6
074 D000100 0
074 E000100 0
074 F000100 1041036
074 G000100 0
074 H000100 0
074 I000100 0
074 J000100 2740
074 K000100 0
074 L000100 4734
074 M000100 0
074 N000100 1067645
074 O000100 3343
074 P000100 0
074 Q000100 0
074 R010100 0
074 R020100 0
074 R030100 0
074 R040100 2326
074 S000100 0
074 T000100 1061976
074 U010100 45475
074 U020100 0
074 V010100 23.35
074 V020100 0.00
074 W000100 0.0000
074 X000100 29416
074 Y000100 0
075 A000100 0
075 B000100 1019674
076 000100 0.00
028 A010200 18491
028 A020200 0
028 A030200 0
028 A040200 2386
028 B010200 27948
028 B020200 2563
028 B030200 0
028 B040200 4346
028 C010200 32756
028 C020200 1
028 C030200 0
028 C040200 4634
028 D010200 33295
028 D020200 0
028 D030200 0
028 D040200 6040
028 E010200 36189
028 E020200 188
028 E030200 0
028 E040200 14279
028 F010200 19658
<PAGE> PAGE 7
028 F020200 0
028 F030200 0
028 F040200 21756
028 G010200 168337
028 G020200 2752
028 G030200 0
028 G040200 53441
028 H000200 65465
029 000200 Y
030 A000200 1142
030 B000200 5.75
030 C000200 0.00
031 A000200 158
031 B000200 0
032 000200 984
033 000200 0
042 A000200 0
042 B000200 0
042 C000200 100
042 D000200 0
042 E000200 0
042 F000200 0
042 G000200 0
042 H000200 0
043 000200 0
044 000200 0
062 A000200 N
062 B000200 0.0
062 C000200 0.0
062 D000200 0.0
062 E000200 0.0
062 F000200 0.0
062 G000200 0.0
062 H000200 0.0
062 I000200 0.0
062 J000200 0.0
062 K000200 0.0
062 L000200 0.0
062 M000200 0.0
062 N000200 0.0
062 O000200 0.0
062 P000200 0.0
062 Q000200 0.0
062 R000200 0.0
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 Y
070 B010200 Y
070 B020200 N
070 C010200 N
070 C020200 N
070 D010200 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 8
070 D020200 N
070 E010200 N
070 E020200 N
070 F010200 N
070 F020200 N
070 G010200 N
070 G020200 N
070 H010200 N
070 H020200 N
070 I010200 N
070 I020200 N
070 J010200 Y
070 J020200 N
070 K010200 Y
070 K020200 N
070 L010200 Y
070 L020200 N
070 M010200 N
070 M020200 N
070 N010200 Y
070 N020200 Y
070 O010200 Y
070 O020200 N
070 P010200 Y
070 P020200 N
070 Q010200 N
070 Q020200 N
070 R010200 N
070 R020200 N
071 A000200 193111
071 B000200 71728
071 C000200 285499
071 D000200 51
072 A000200 6
072 B000200 686
072 C000200 1876
072 D000200 0
072 E000200 0
072 F000200 948
072 G000200 66
072 H000200 20
072 I000200 501
072 J000200 6
072 K000200 0
072 L000200 17
072 M000200 5
072 N000200 40
072 O000200 2
072 P000200 0
072 Q000200 0
072 R000200 7
<PAGE> PAGE 9
072 S000200 5
072 T000200 941
072 U000200 0
072 V000200 0
072 W000200 -20
072 X000200 2538
072 Y000200 168
072 Z000200 192
072AA000200 3290
072BB000200 0
072CC010200 19469
072CC020200 0
072DD010200 311
072DD020200 56
072EE000200 2491
073 A010200 0.0430
073 A020200 0.0000
073 B000200 0.1900
073 C000200 0.0000
074 A000200 23
074 B000200 12376
074 C000200 0
074 D000200 0
074 E000200 4473
074 F000200 354255
074 G000200 0
074 H000200 0
074 I000200 0
074 J000200 266
074 K000200 229
074 L000200 1980
074 M000200 17
074 N000200 373619
074 O000200 634
074 P000200 0
074 Q000200 0
074 R010200 0
074 R020200 0
074 R030200 0
074 R040200 1183
074 S000200 0
074 T000200 371802
074 U010200 7752
074 U020200 9498
074 V010200 21.63
074 V020200 0.00
074 W000200 0.0000
074 X000200 29588
074 Y000200 0
075 A000200 0
075 B000200 312182
<PAGE> PAGE 10
076 000200 0.00
SIGNATURE GEORGE M. CHAMBERLAIN, JR.
TITLE SR. VP/SECRETARY
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000027801
<NAME> DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS I, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 011
<NAME> DELAWARE BALANCED FUND A CLASS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 897,585,370
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,060,170,666
<RECEIVABLES> 7,547,870
<ASSETS-OTHER> 5,352
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,067,723,888
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 3,342,869
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,405,872
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 5,748,741
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 859,418,290
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 27,492,913
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 26,576,078
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 2,180,164
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 37,792,397
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 162,585,296
<NET-ASSETS> 1,061,976,147
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 4,987,875
<INTEREST-INCOME> 9,762,314
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 4,794,740
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9,955,449
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 38,214,564
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 23,914,284
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 72,084,297
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 11,239,348
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 43,887,464
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,667,977
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 1,948,689
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1,197,547
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 99,374,224
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 3,464,063
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 43,465,297
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,650,526
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 4,808,511
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,019,373,489
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 22.970
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.223
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.442
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.255
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.040
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 23.340
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.970
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000027801
<NAME> DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS I, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 012
<NAME> DELAWARE BALANCED FUND B CLASS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 897,585,370
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,060,170,666
<RECEIVABLES> 7,547,870
<ASSETS-OTHER> 5,352
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,067,723,888
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 3,342,869
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,405,872
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 5,748,741
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 859,418,290
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2,597,471
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1,476,374
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 2,180,164
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 37,792,397
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 162,585,296
<NET-ASSETS> 1,061,976,147
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 4,987,875
<INTEREST-INCOME> 9,762,314
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 4,794,740
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9,955,449
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 38,214,564
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 23,914,284
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 72,084,297
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 11,239,348
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 43,887,464
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,235,179
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 201,399
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 87,317
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 99,374,224
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 3,464,063
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 43,465,297
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,650,526
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 4,808,511
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,019,373,489
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 22.950
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.137
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.358
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.075
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.040
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 23.330
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.740
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000027801
<NAME> DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS I, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 013
<NAME> DELAWARE BALANCED FUND C CLASS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 897,585,370
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,060,170,666
<RECEIVABLES> 7,547,870
<ASSETS-OTHER> 5,352
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,067,723,888
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 3,342,869
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,405,872
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 5,748,741
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 859,418,290
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1,066,239
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 773,091
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 2,180,164
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 37,792,397
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 162,585,296
<NET-ASSETS> 1,061,976,147
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 4,987,875
<INTEREST-INCOME> 9,762,314
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 4,794,740
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9,955,449
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 38,214,564
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 23,914,284
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 72,084,297
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 11,239,348
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 43,887,464
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 358,054
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 106,404
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 41,498
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 99,374,224
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 3,464,063
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 43,465,297
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,650,526
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 4,808,511
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,019,373,489
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 22.930
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.137
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.358
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.075
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.040
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 23.310
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.740
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000027801
<NAME> DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS I, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 014
<NAME> DELAWARE BALANCED FUND INSTITUTIONAL CLASS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 897,585,370
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,060,170,666
<RECEIVABLES> 7,547,870
<ASSETS-OTHER> 5,352
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,067,723,888
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 3,342,869
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,405,872
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 5,748,741
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 859,418,290
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 14,318,347
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 13,072,501
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 2,180,164
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 37,792,397
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 162,585,296
<NET-ASSETS> 1,061,976,147
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 4,987,875
<INTEREST-INCOME> 9,762,314
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 4,794,740
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9,955,449
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 38,214,564
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 23,914,284
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 72,084,297
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 11,239,348
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 43,887,464
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2,133,095
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 1,652,594
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 765,345
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 99,374,224
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 3,464,063
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 43,465,297
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,650,526
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 4,808,511
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,019,373,489
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 23.000
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.254
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.451
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.285
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.040
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 23.380
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.740
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000027801
<NAME> DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS I, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 021
<NAME> DEVON FUND A CLASS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 325,492,059
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 371,104,374
<RECEIVABLES> 2,475,011
<ASSETS-OTHER> 39,811
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 373,619,197
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 634,266
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1,182,408
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1,816,674
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 322,978,067
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 7,752,134
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 5,998,714
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (79,161)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 3,291,302
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 45,612,315
<NET-ASSETS> 167,675,973
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1,876,315
<INTEREST-INCOME> 686,165
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2,370,447
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 192,033
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 3,295,731
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 19,469,524
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 22,957,288
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 310,868
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 1,272,835
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3,104,629
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 1,424,173
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 72,964
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 95,710
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3,307,406
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 948,213
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,595,882
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 152,294,373
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 20.090
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.040
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.733
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.043
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.190
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 21.630
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.300
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000027801
<NAME> DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS I, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 022
<NAME> DEVON FUND B CLASS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 325,492,059
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 371,104,374
<RECEIVABLES> 2,475,011
<ASSETS-OTHER> 39,811
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 373,619,197
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 634,266
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1,182,408
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1,816,674
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 322,978,067
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 7,015,058
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 4,151,088
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (79,161)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 3,291,302
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 45,612,315
<NET-ASSETS> 150,674,231
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1,876,315
<INTEREST-INCOME> 686,165
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2,370,447
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 192,033
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 3,295,731
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 19,469,524
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 22,957,288
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 904,197
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3,396,488
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 572,606
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 40,088
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 95,710
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3,307,406
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 948,213
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,595,882
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 116,898,487
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 19.980
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.017)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.707
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.190
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 21.480
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.000
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000027801
<NAME> DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS I, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 023
<NAME> DEVON FUND C CLASS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 325,492,059
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 371,104,374
<RECEIVABLES> 2,475,011
<ASSETS-OTHER> 39,811
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 373,619,197
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 634,266
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1,182,408
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1,816,674
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 322,978,067
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1,679,414
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1,009,093
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (79,161)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 3,291,302
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 45,612,315
<NET-ASSETS> 36,037,815
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1,876,315
<INTEREST-INCOME> 686,165
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2,370,447
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 192,033
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 3,295,731
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 19,469,524
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 22,957,288
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 213,389
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 830,496
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 169,894
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 9,720
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 95,710
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3,307,406
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 948,213
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,595,882
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 27,835,935
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 19.960
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.017)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.707
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.190
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 21.460
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.000
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000027801
<NAME> DELAWARE GROUP EQUITY FUNDS I, INC
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 024
<NAME> DEVON FUND INSTITUTIONAL CLASS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 325,492,059
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 371,104,374
<RECEIVABLES> 2,475,011
<ASSETS-OTHER> 39,811
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 373,619,197
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 634,266
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1,182,408
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1,816,674
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 322,978,067
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 803,005
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 520,386
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (79,161)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 3,291,302
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 45,612,315
<NET-ASSETS> 17,414,504
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1,876,315
<INTEREST-INCOME> 686,165
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2,370,447
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 192,033
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 3,295,731
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 19,469,524
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 22,957,288
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 56,036
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 100,865
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 686,153
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 410,967
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 7,433
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 95,710
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3,307,406
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 948,213
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,595,882
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 15,153,906
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 20.140
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.054
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.761
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.075
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.190
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 21.690
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.000
</TABLE>