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020 A000002 MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
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020 A000003 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
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<PAGE> PAGE 2
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SIGNATURE J. JERRY INSKEEP, JR.
TITLE PRESIDENT
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COLUMBIA FUNDS DATED JUNE 30, 1999, AND
THE AUDITED ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COLUMBIA FUNDS DATED DECEMBER 31, 1998,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000773599
<NAME> COLUMBIA SPECIAL FUND, INC.
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 539,450,155
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 750,515,640
<RECEIVABLES> 7,113,474
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 22,732,954
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 780,362,068
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4,029,675
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 16,594,187
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 20,623,862
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
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</TABLE>
