WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
MSDW TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST- CLASS A
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DECEMBER 31, 2000
<PERIOD-END> JUNE 30, 2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 937,730,645
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 966,726,247
<RECEIVABLES> 14,870,903
<ASSETS-OTHER> 433,683
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 982,030,833
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> (1,508,770)
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> (1,508,770)
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 954,985,240
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1,610,844
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1,552,372
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 20,278
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (3,479,057)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 28,995,602
<NET-ASSETS> 18,105,378
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 29,292,803
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (2,986,133)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 26,306,670
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1,189,548
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 12,724,864
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 40,221,082
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (451,266)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2,046,856
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (2,005,510)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 17,126
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (39,703,224)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 20,278
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (4,668,605)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> (2,221,234)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> (3,006,436)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 17,304,352
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.08
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.29
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.16
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.29)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.24
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.69%
</TABLE>
