<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000730004
<NAME> THE EMPIRE BUILDER TAX FREE BOND FUND
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 012
<NAME> THE EMPIRE BUILDER TAX FREE BOND FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-28-2001
<PERIOD-START> MAR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 106972109
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 108579464
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<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 280733
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 110140140
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 3391028<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 3409757<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 26241
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 1460491
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 1374061<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 17.14<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.85<F1>
<FN>
<F1> Premier Class
</FN>
</TABLE>
