SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 31 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS
_________________________________________________________________
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
4500 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64141-6200
_________________________________________________________________
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (816) 531-5575
William M. Lyons, 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64141-6200
_________________________________________________________________
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: January 1, 1999
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box)
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[X] on January 1, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
[X] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
This filing is being made to extend the date of effectiveness of the
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to January 1, 1999. The
Post-Effective Amendment originally requested effectiveness as of December 14,
1998.
The following documents are hereby incorporated by reference:
* Prospectus for the California Tax-Free and Municipal Funds dated December
14, 1998 filed pursuant to Rule 485(a) on October 16, 1998 (Accession No.
0000717316-98-000009).
* Statement of Additional Information for the California Tax-Free and
Municipal Funds dated December 14, 1998 filed pursuant to Rule 485(a) on
October 16, 1998 (Accession No. 0000717316-98-000009).
* Part C to the Registration Statement of the California Tax-Free and
Municipal Funds dated December 14, 1998 filed pursuant to Rule 485(a) on
October 16, 1998 (Accession No. 0000717316-98-000009).
Registrant is extending effectiveness of its Registration Statement in order to
incorporate comments provided to its manager by the staff of the Commission.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements
for effectiveness of this 1933 Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 and 1940 Act
Amendment No. 31 to its Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b)
promogulated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and has duly caused
this Post-Effective Amendment No. 27/Amendment No. 31 to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Kansas City, and
State of Missouri, on the 11th day of December, 1998.
AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS
By: /*/George A. Rio
George A. Rio
President and Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective
Amendment No. 27/Amendment No. 31 has been signed below by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Date
<S> <C> <C>
* President, Principal Executive and December 11, 1998
- --------------------------------- Principal Financial Officer
George A. Rio
* Vice President and Treasurer December 11, 1998
- ---------------------------------
Maryanne Roepke
* Chairman of the Board and Trustee December 11, 1998
- ---------------------------------
James E. Stowers III
* Trustee December 11, 1998
- ---------------------------------
William M. Lyons
* Trustee December 11, 1998
- ---------------------------------
Albert A. Eisenstat
* Trustee December 11, 1998
- ---------------------------------
Ronald J. Gilson
* Trustee December 11, 1998
- ---------------------------------
Myron S. Scholes
* Trustee December 11, 1998
- ---------------------------------
Kenneth E. Scott
* Trustee December 11, 1998
- ---------------------------------
Isaac Stein
* Trustee December 11, 1998
- ---------------------------------
Jeanne D. Wohlers
</TABLE>
/s/Charles A. Etherington
*by Charles A. Etherington, Attorney in Fact (pursuant to a Power of Attorney
dated July 9, 1998).
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT OF AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRELY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000717316
<NAME> AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE & MUNICIPAL FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> BENHAM CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 456,861,275
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 456,861,275
<RECEIVABLES> 2,351,137
<ASSETS-OTHER> 1,121,640
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 460,334,052
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 2,427,024
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1,913,468
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 4,340,492
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 455,993,563
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 455,993,560
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 417,784,475
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 299,086
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (299,089)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 0
<NET-ASSETS> 455,993,560
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 15,542,270
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2,171,919
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 13,370,351
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 13,369,771
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 13,369,357
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 434,812,626
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 409,349,170
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 12,745,632
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 38,209,502
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 397,834
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (398,251)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,159,270
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2,171,919
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 435,217,099
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.03
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.03
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.50
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT OF AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000717316
<NAME> AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE & MUNICIPAL FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 2
<NAME> BENHAM CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 172,403,052
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 172,403,052
<RECEIVABLES> 783,271
<ASSETS-OTHER> 1,795,748
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 174,982,071
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,390,449
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2,390,449
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 172,628,461
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 172,591,622
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 170,519,185
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 122,436
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (159,275)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 0
<NET-ASSETS> 172,591,622
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 6,258,285
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 854,000
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 5,404,285
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (669)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 5,403,616
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 5,398,614
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 153,582,331
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 156,647,128
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 5,174,073
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 2,114,278
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 116,795
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (158,606)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 845,834
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 854,000
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 171,283,170
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.03
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.03
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.50
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT OF AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000717316
<NAME> AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE & MUNICIPAL FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> BENHAM CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TERM TAX-FREE
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 439,449,344
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 463,133,282
<RECEIVABLES> 15,078,433
<ASSETS-OTHER> 397,245
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 478,608,960
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 14,363,084
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 3,642,037
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 18,005,121
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 405,064
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 433,907,523
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 40,506,442
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 38,621,249
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 8,020
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2,559,294
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 23,683,938
<NET-ASSETS> 460,603,839
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 22,679,637
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2,277,153
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 20,402,484
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 3,919,772
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 5,632,637
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 29,954,893
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 20,402,484
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 5,651,243
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 13,806,443
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 13,662,495
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1,741,245
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 25,164,000
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,338,785
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,264,194
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2,277,153
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 437,512,837
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.27
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.52
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.25
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.52
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.15
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.37
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.51
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT OF AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000717316
<NAME> AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE & MUNICIPAL FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 4
<NAME> BENHAM CALIFORNIA LONG-TERM TAX-FREE FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 299,379,367
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 324,678,249
<RECEIVABLES> 3,906,560
<ASSETS-OTHER> 500,990
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 329,088,799
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 2,243,761
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1,651,382
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3,895,143
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 277,428
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 297,953,010
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 27,742,768
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 26,542,552
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 9,033
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 1,655,303
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 25,298,882
<NET-ASSETS> 325,193,656
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 17,485,505
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1,610,506
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 15,874,999
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 2,963,978
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 8,929,558
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 27,768,535
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 15,874,999
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 5,354,293
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 8,544,372
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 8,606,849
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1,262,693
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 20,523,088
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,054,651
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1,599,824
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,610,506
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 308,905,669
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.48
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.59
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.44
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.59
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.20
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.72
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.51
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT OF AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000717316
<NAME> AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE & MUNICIPAL FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 5
<NAME> BENHAM CALIFORNIA HIGH-YIELD MUNICIPAL FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 288,259,202
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 303,455,303
<RECEIVABLES> 5,054,723
<ASSETS-OTHER> 927,416
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 309,437,442
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4,899,944
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 695,958
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 5,595,902
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 305,942
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 286,338,115
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 30,594,204
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 19,919,066
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2,001,382
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 15,196,101
<NET-ASSETS> 303,841,540
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 13,998,056
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1,320,927
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 12,677,129
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 2,562,512
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 6,311,903
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 21,551,544
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 12,677,129
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 2,454,652
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 18,553,052
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 9,015,907
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1,137,993
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 111,010,249
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 9,693,133
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 2,344,182
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1,311,664
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,320,927
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 233,808,662
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 9.68
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.51
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.37
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.51
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.12
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.93
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.54
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT OF AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000717316
<NAME> AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE & MUNICIPAL FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 6
<NAME> BENHAM CALIFORNIA INSURED FUND TAX-FREE
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 200,844,327
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 217,200,278
<RECEIVABLES> 2,887,560
<ASSETS-OTHER> 3,424,965
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 223,512,803
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 6,237,045
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1,766,541
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 8,003,586
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 203,258
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 198,268,322
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 20,325,822
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 18,241,002
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 681,686
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 16,355,951
<NET-ASSETS> 215,509,217
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 10,968,312
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1,040,256
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9,928,056
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1,583,804
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 5,870,522
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 17,382,382
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 9,928,056
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 2,921,262
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 7,856,824
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 6,627,802
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 855,798
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 26,364,509
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 2,019,144
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1,031,569
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1,040,256
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 197,726,150
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.37
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.51
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.39
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.51
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.16
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.60
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.51
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT OF AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE AND MUNICIPAL FUNDS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000717316
<NAME> AMERICAN CENTURY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE & MUNICIPAL FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 7
<NAME> BENHAM CALIFORNIA LIMITED-TERM TAX-FREE
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 132,960,099
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 135,798,378
<RECEIVABLES> 1,784,067
<ASSETS-OTHER> 119,932
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 137,702,377
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4,915,798
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
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</TABLE>
