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SIGNATURE PAUL BUCUVALAS
TITLE VICE PRESIDENT
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM Putnam Preferred Income Fund Class A AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENT
IRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
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<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1996
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3
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??
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM Putnam Preferred Income Fund Class M AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENT
IRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1995
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST > 120,212,123 <INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 118,424,96
3
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<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 117,685,477
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.39
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .55
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<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
??
</TABLE>
