<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 001
<NAME> JOHN HANCOCK SPECIAL EQUITIES
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1,362,820
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1,362,820
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 547,308,555
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 14,884,568
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 12,323,364
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (60,886)
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<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 125,963
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<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1,550,863
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (839,487)
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<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 69,642,702
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 140,920,373
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,074,553
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 107,470,622
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> (60,886)
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<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.62
</TABLE>
