<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND STATE-
MENT ON CHANGES IN NET ASSETS FOUND ON PAGES 33 THROUGH 49 OF THE FORTIS
STOCK FUNDS, ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000049905
<NAME> FORTIS EQUITY PORTFOLIOS, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 031
<NAME> FORTIS GROWTH AND INCOME FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 34,973,804
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 43,492,261
<RECEIVABLES> 649,579
<ASSETS-OTHER> 3,225,013<F1>
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 16,337
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 47,383,190
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 3,283,613<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3,283,613
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 32,793,870
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1,527,320
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1,759,385
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 64,366
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2,722,884
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 8,518,457
<NET-ASSETS> 44,099,577
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 621,442
<INTEREST-INCOME> 229,795
<OTHER-INCOME> 6,782<F2>
<EXPENSES-NET> (749,114)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 108,905
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 3,026,489
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 3,415,939
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 6,551,333
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (118,784)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (412,864)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 326,487
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (592,081)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 33,529
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1,141,775
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 86,036
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 690,341
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 427,823
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 749,114
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 42,708,139
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14.83
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.08
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.37
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.07)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (0.25)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 16.96
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.45
<FN>
<F1>SECURITIES VALUED AT $3,142,606 WERE ON LOAN TO BROKERS FROM THE PORTFOLIO.
FOR COLLATERAL, THE PORTFOLIO'S CUSTODIAN RECEIVED $3,225,013 IN CASH.
<F2>SECURITY LENDING INCOME THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2000.
</FN>
</TABLE>
