<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FRANKLIN
TAX-FREE TRUST AUGUST 31, 2000 SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIR
ETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 213
<NAME> FRANKLIN NEW JERSEY TAX-FREE INCOME FUND - CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-28-2001
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 649,734,959
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 663,633,326
<RECEIVABLES> 10,290,384
<ASSETS-OTHER> 13,342
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 673,937,052
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,652,815
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2,652,815
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 661,871,835
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 4,148,765
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 4,198,885
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (594,665)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (3,891,300)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 13,898,367
<NET-ASSETS> 671,284,237
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 19,824,666
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (2,303,668)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 17,520,998
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (195,708)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 24,849,930
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42,175,220
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (1,118,854)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 468,804
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (576,311)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 57,387
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 7,247,625
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (342,861)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (3,695,592)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> (1,610,325)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> (2,303,668)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 659,280,048
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.050
<PER-SHARE-NII> .270<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .420
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.270)<F2>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> .000
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> .000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.470
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.220<F3>
<FN>
<F1>BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING.
<F2>INCLUDES DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INVESTMENT
INCOME IN THE AMOUNT OF $.004.
<F3>ANNUALIZED
</FN>
</TABLE>
