<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FRANKLIN
CUSTODIAN FUNDS, INC. SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 ANNUAL REPORT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 013
<NAME> FRANKLIN GROWTH SERIES - CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,006,194,094
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 2,216,002,322
<RECEIVABLES> 394,789,705
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,610,792,027
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8,586,319
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 8,586,319
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,255,706,797
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 10,348,213
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 11,117,291
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 19,324,466
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 117,366,217
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1,209,808,228
<NET-ASSETS> 2,602,205,708
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 23,146,276
<INTEREST-INCOME> 34,132,908
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (27,227,488)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30,051,696
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 119,903,279
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 172,291,947
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 322,246,922
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (2,415,955)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (2,910,619)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2,803,395
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (3,721,739)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 149,266
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 67,517,885
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 21,016,483
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 17,380,293
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> (11,971,966)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> (27,227,488)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2,602,536,452
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 32.580
<PER-SHARE-NII> .180<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 3.910
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.220)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.260)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> .000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 36.190
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.680
<FN>
<F1>BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING.
</FN>
</TABLE>
