<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 A000000 12/31/98
000 C000000 0000717341
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 Y
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0
000 J000000 U
001 A000000 THE DREYFUS/LAUREL TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL FUNDS
001 B000000 811-3700
001 C000000 2129226796
002 A000000 200 PARK AVENUE, 8TH FLOOR WEST
002 B000000 NEW YORK
002 C000000 NY
002 D010000 10166
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 Y
007 B000000 5
007 C010100 1
007 C020100 DREYFUS BASIC MASSACHUSETTS MUNI MONEY MARKET
007 C030100 N
007 C010200 2
007 C010300 3
007 C020300 DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM MASS MUNI FUND
007 C030300 N
007 C010400 4
007 C020400 DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM MUNICIPAL FUND
007 C030400 N
007 C010500 5
007 C020500 DREYFUS BASIC NEW YORK MUNI MONEY MARKET FUND
007 C030500 N
007 C010600 6
007 C020600 DREYFUS BASIC CALIFORNIA MUNI MONEY MARKET FD
007 C030600 N
007 C010700 7
007 C020700 DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM NY MUNI FUND
007 C030700 Y
007 C010800 8
007 C020800 DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM CA MUNI FUND
007 C030800 Y
007 C010900 9
007 C011000 10
018 00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00 163
019 C00AA00 DREYFUSFAM
077 A000000 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 2
077 C000000 Y
078 000000 N
062 A000100 Y
062 B000100 0.0
062 C000100 0.0
062 D000100 0.0
062 E000100 99.9
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
071 A000100 0
071 B000100 0
071 C000100 0
071 D000100 0
072 A000100 6
074 N000100 141230
074 T000100 140605
075 A000100 125235
075 B000100 0
062 A000300 Y
062 B000300 0.0
062 C000300 0.0
062 D000300 0.0
062 E000300 2.4
062 F000300 0.0
062 G000300 0.0
062 H000300 0.0
062 I000300 0.0
062 J000300 0.0
062 K000300 0.0
062 L000300 0.0
062 M000300 0.0
062 N000300 0.0
062 O000300 96.2
062 P000300 0.0
062 Q000300 0.0
062 R000300 0.0
071 A000300 14025
071 B000300 2573
071 C000300 73546
071 D000300 3
<PAGE> PAGE 3
072 A000300 6
074 N000300 82069
074 T000300 81915
075 A000300 0
075 B000300 16949
062 A000400 Y
062 B000400 0.0
062 C000400 0.0
062 D000400 0.0
062 E000400 0.8
062 F000400 0.0
062 G000400 0.0
062 H000400 0.0
062 I000400 0.0
062 J000400 0.0
062 K000400 0.0
062 L000400 0.0
062 M000400 0.0
062 N000400 0.0
062 O000400 97.8
062 P000400 0.0
062 Q000400 0.0
062 R000400 0.0
071 A000400 44770
071 B000400 4627
071 C000400 72574
071 D000400 6
072 A000400 6
074 N000400 104717
074 T000400 104479
075 A000400 0
075 B000400 74083
062 A000500 Y
062 B000500 0.0
062 C000500 0.0
062 D000500 0.0
062 E000500 99.2
062 F000500 0.0
062 G000500 0.0
062 H000500 0.0
062 I000500 0.0
062 J000500 0.0
062 K000500 0.0
062 L000500 0.0
062 M000500 0.0
062 N000500 0.0
062 O000500 0.0
062 P000500 0.0
062 Q000500 0.0
062 R000500 0.0
071 A000500 0
<PAGE> PAGE 4
071 B000500 0
071 C000500 0
071 D000500 0
072 A000500 6
074 N000500 340498
074 T000500 340365
075 A000500 345357
075 B000500 0
062 A000600 Y
062 B000600 0.0
062 C000600 0.0
062 D000600 0.0
062 E000600 99.9
062 F000600 0.0
062 G000600 0.0
062 H000600 0.0
062 I000600 0.0
062 J000600 0.0
062 K000600 0.0
062 L000600 0.0
062 M000600 0.0
062 N000600 0.0
062 O000600 0.0
062 P000600 0.0
062 Q000600 0.0
062 R000600 0.0
071 A000600 0
071 B000600 0
071 C000600 0
071 D000600 0
072 A000600 6
074 N000600 108753
074 T000600 108297
075 A000600 105881
075 B000600 0
028 A010700 102
028 A020700 12
028 A030700 0
028 A040700 8
028 B010700 1
028 B020700 12
028 B030700 0
028 B040700 19
028 C010700 0
028 C020700 12
028 C030700 0
028 C040700 953
028 D010700 0
028 D020700 12
028 D030700 0
028 D040700 62
<PAGE> PAGE 5
028 E010700 41
028 E020700 0
028 E030700 0
028 E040700 2
028 F010700 0
028 F020700 0
028 F030700 0
028 F040700 0
028 G010700 144
028 G020700 48
028 G030700 0
028 G040700 1044
028 H000700 95
029 000700 Y
030 A000700 0
030 B000700 3.00
030 C000700 0.00
031 A000700 0
031 B000700 0
032 000700 0
033 000700 0
034 000700 Y
035 000700 0
036 A000700 N
036 B000700 0
037 000700 N
038 000700 0
039 000700 N
040 000700 Y
041 000700 Y
042 A000700 0
042 B000700 0
042 C000700 20
042 D000700 0
042 E000700 0
042 F000700 0
042 G000700 80
042 H000700 0
043 000700 3
044 000700 0
053 A000700 N
055 A000700 N
055 B000700 N
056 000700 N
057 000700 N
062 A000700 Y
062 B000700 0.0
062 C000700 0.0
062 D000700 0.0
062 E000700 2.6
062 F000700 0.0
<PAGE> PAGE 6
062 G000700 0.0
062 H000700 0.0
062 I000700 0.0
062 J000700 0.0
062 K000700 0.0
062 L000700 0.0
062 M000700 0.0
062 N000700 0.0
062 O000700 97.1
062 P000700 0.0
062 Q000700 0.0
062 R000700 0.0
063 A000700 0
063 B000700 9.1
066 A000700 N
067 000700 N
068 A000700 N
068 B000700 N
069 000700 N
070 A010700 Y
070 A020700 N
070 B010700 N
070 B020700 N
070 C010700 Y
070 C020700 N
070 D010700 N
070 D020700 N
070 E010700 Y
070 E020700 N
070 F010700 N
070 F020700 N
070 G010700 Y
070 G020700 N
070 H010700 N
070 H020700 N
070 I010700 N
070 I020700 N
070 J010700 N
070 J020700 N
070 K010700 Y
070 K020700 N
070 L010700 N
070 L020700 N
070 M010700 N
070 M020700 N
070 N010700 N
070 N020700 N
070 O010700 Y
070 O020700 N
070 P010700 Y
070 P020700 N
<PAGE> PAGE 7
070 Q010700 N
070 Q020700 N
070 R010700 N
070 R020700 N
071 A000700 0
071 B000700 0
071 C000700 0
071 D000700 0
072 A000700 6
072 B000700 156
072 C000700 0
072 D000700 0
072 E000700 0
072 F000700 16
072 G000700 0
072 H000700 0
072 I000700 0
072 J000700 0
072 K000700 0
072 L000700 0
072 M000700 0
072 N000700 0
072 O000700 0
072 P000700 0
072 Q000700 0
072 R000700 0
072 S000700 0
072 T000700 3
072 U000700 0
072 V000700 0
072 W000700 6
072 X000700 25
072 Y000700 0
072 Z000700 131
072AA000700 51
072BB000700 0
072CC010700 34
072CC020700 0
072DD010700 43
072DD020700 88
072EE000700 94
073 A010700 0.0000
073 A020700 0.0000
073 B000700 0.0000
073 C000700 0.0000
074 A000700 0
074 B000700 0
074 C000700 0
074 D000700 0
074 E000700 0
074 F000700 0
<PAGE> PAGE 8
074 G000700 0
074 H000700 0
074 I000700 0
074 J000700 0
074 K000700 0
074 L000700 0
074 M000700 0
074 N000700 0
074 O000700 0
074 P000700 0
074 Q000700 0
074 R010700 0
074 R020700 0
074 R030700 0
074 R040700 0
074 S000700 0
074 T000700 0
074 U010700 0
074 U020700 0
074 V010700 0.00
074 V020700 0.00
074 W000700 0.0000
074 X000700 0
074 Y000700 0
075 A000700 0
075 B000700 0
076 000700 0.00
028 A010800 602
028 A020800 53
028 A030800 0
028 A040800 401
028 B010800 125
028 B020800 51
028 B030800 0
028 B040800 592
028 C010800 32
028 C020800 48
028 C030800 0
028 C040800 1024
028 D010800 0
028 D020800 50
028 D030800 0
028 D040800 1186
028 E010800 121
028 E020800 0
028 E030800 0
028 E040800 403
028 F010800 0
028 F020800 0
028 F030800 0
028 F040800 0
<PAGE> PAGE 9
028 G010800 880
028 G020800 202
028 G030800 0
028 G040800 3606
028 H000800 8
029 000800 Y
030 A000800 0
030 B000800 3.00
030 C000800 0.00
031 A000800 0
031 B000800 0
032 000800 0
033 000800 0
034 000800 Y
035 000800 0
036 A000800 N
036 B000800 0
037 000800 N
038 000800 0
039 000800 N
040 000800 Y
041 000800 Y
042 A000800 0
042 B000800 0
042 C000800 25
042 D000800 0
042 E000800 0
042 F000800 0
042 G000800 75
042 H000800 0
043 000800 10
044 000800 0
053 A000800 N
062 A000800 Y
062 B000800 0.0
062 C000800 0.0
062 D000800 0.0
062 E000800 1.4
062 F000800 0.0
062 G000800 0.0
062 H000800 0.0
062 I000800 0.0
062 J000800 0.0
062 K000800 0.0
062 L000800 0.0
062 M000800 0.0
062 N000800 0.0
062 O000800 97.6
062 P000800 0.0
062 Q000800 0.0
062 R000800 0.0
<PAGE> PAGE 10
063 A000800 0
063 B000800 8.6
064 A000800 Y
064 B000800 N
066 A000800 N
067 000800 N
068 A000800 N
068 B000800 N
069 000800 N
070 A010800 Y
070 A020800 N
070 B010800 N
070 B020800 N
070 C010800 Y
070 C020800 N
070 D010800 N
070 D020800 N
070 E010800 Y
070 E020800 N
070 F010800 N
070 F020800 N
070 G010800 Y
070 G020800 N
070 H010800 N
070 H020800 N
070 I010800 N
070 I020800 N
070 J010800 N
070 J020800 N
070 K010800 Y
070 K020800 N
070 L010800 N
070 L020800 N
070 M010800 N
070 M020800 N
070 N010800 N
070 N020800 N
070 O010800 Y
070 O020800 N
070 P010800 Y
070 P020800 N
070 Q010800 N
070 Q020800 N
070 R010800 N
070 R020800 N
071 A000800 0
071 B000800 0
071 C000800 0
071 D000800 0
072 A000800 6
072 B000800 430
<PAGE> PAGE 11
072 C000800 0
072 D000800 0
072 E000800 0
072 F000800 43
072 G000800 0
072 H000800 0
072 I000800 0
072 J000800 0
072 K000800 0
072 L000800 0
072 M000800 0
072 N000800 0
072 O000800 0
072 P000800 0
072 Q000800 0
072 R000800 0
072 S000800 0
072 T000800 10
072 U000800 0
072 V000800 0
072 W000800 15
072 X000800 68
072 Y000800 0
072 Z000800 362
072AA000800 133
072BB000800 0
072CC010800 169
072CC020800 0
072DD010800 110
072DD020800 252
072EE000800 148
073 A010800 0.0000
073 A020800 0.0000
073 B000800 0.0000
073 C000800 0.0000
074 A000800 0
074 B000800 0
074 C000800 0
074 D000800 0
074 E000800 0
074 F000800 0
074 G000800 0
074 H000800 0
074 I000800 0
074 J000800 0
074 K000800 0
074 L000800 0
074 M000800 0
074 N000800 0
074 O000800 0
074 P000800 0
<PAGE> PAGE 12
074 Q000800 0
074 R010800 0
074 R020800 0
074 R030800 0
074 R040800 0
074 S000800 0
074 T000800 0
074 U010800 0
074 U020800 0
074 V010800 0.00
074 V020800 0.00
074 W000800 0.0000
074 X000800 0
074 Y000800 0
075 A000800 0
075 B000800 0
076 000800 0.00
SIGNATURE MICHAEL PETRUCELLI
TITLE ASSISTANT TREASUER
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000717341
<NAME> DREYFUS/LAUREL TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL FUNDS (LTF)
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 001
<NAME> DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM NEW YORK MUNI FUND-CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 7348
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7738
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 150
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 151
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 43
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 390
<NET-ASSETS> 1943
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 156
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 25
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 131
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 51
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 34
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 0
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (43)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (32)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 8
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (11)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 43
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 16
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 25
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2014
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.99
<PER-SHARE-NII> .20
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.03)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.20)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.01)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.95
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .008
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000717341
<NAME> DREYFUS/LAUREL TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL FUNDS (LTF)
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 002
<NAME> DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM NEW YORK MUNI FUND-CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 7348
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7738
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 20
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 20
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 43
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 390
<NET-ASSETS> 265
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 156
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 25
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 131
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 51
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 34
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 0
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (6)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (4)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 0
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 43
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 16
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 25
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 266
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> .17
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.03)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.17)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.01)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.96
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .013
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000717341
<NAME> DREYFUS/LAUREL TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL FUNDS (LTF)
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 003
<NAME> DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM NEW YORK MUNI FUND-CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 7348
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7738
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 15
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 16
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 43
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 390
<NET-ASSETS> 194
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 156
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 25
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 131
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 51
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 34
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 0
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (4)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (3)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (1)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 43
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 16
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 25
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 213
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.02
<PER-SHARE-NII> .17
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.03)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.17)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.01)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.98
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .013
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000717341
<NAME> DREYFUS/LAUREL TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL FUNDS (LTF)
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 004
<NAME> DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM NEW YORK MUNI FUND-CLASS R
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 7348
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7738
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 415
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 477
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 43
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 390
<NET-ASSETS> 5366
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 156
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 25
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 131
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 51
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 34
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 0
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (78)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (109)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 6
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (70)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 43
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 16
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 25
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 5931
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.98
<PER-SHARE-NII> .21
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.02)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.21)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.01)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.95
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .005
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000717341
<NAME> DREYFUS/LAUREL TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL FUNDS (LTF)
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 005
<NAME> DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM CALIFORNIA MUNI FUND-CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 19,636
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 21,096
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 531
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 564
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 14
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1460
<NET-ASSETS> 7077
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 430
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 68
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 362
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 169
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 531
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (110)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (6)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (42)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 5
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 14
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 43
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 68
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 7302
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.26
<PER-SHARE-NII> .20
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .08
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.20)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.01)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.33
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .008
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000717341
<NAME> DREYFUS/LAUREL TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL FUNDS (LTF)
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 006
<NAME> DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM CALIFORNIA MUNI FUND-CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 19,636
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 21,096
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 49
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 69
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 14
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1460
<NET-ASSETS> 653
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 430
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 68
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 362
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 169
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 531
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (10)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 9
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (29)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 14
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 43
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 68
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 731
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.26
<PER-SHARE-NII> .18
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .08
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.18)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.01)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.33
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .013
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000717341
<NAME> DREYFUS/LAUREL TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL FUNDS (LTF)
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 007
<NAME> DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM CALIFORNIA MUNI FUND-CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 19,636
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 21,096
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 10
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 22
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 14
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1460
<NET-ASSETS> 137
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 430
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 68
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 362
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 169
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 531
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (4)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (12)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 14
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 43
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 68
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 277
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.29
<PER-SHARE-NII> .18
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .08
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.18)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.01)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.36
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .013
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000717341
<NAME> DREYFUS/LAUREL TAX-FREE MUNICIPAL FUNDS (LTF)
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 008
<NAME> DREYFUS PREMIER LIMITED TERM CALIFORNIA MUNI FUND-CLASS R
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 19,636
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 21,096
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 0
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1009
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1131
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 14
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1460
<NET-ASSETS> 13445
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 430
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 68
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 362
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 169
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 531
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (238)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (11)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 55
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (186)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 9
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 14
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 43
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 68
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 14,892
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.26
<PER-SHARE-NII> .21
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .07
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.21)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.01)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.32
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .005
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>