<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000806390
<NAME> STATE STREET RESEARCH FINANCIAL TRUST
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 043
<NAME> STATE STREET RESEARCH STRATEGIC INCOME PLUS CLASS S
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 40,006,778
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<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 5,897,045
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 4,273,943
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 10,170,988
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2,923,641
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 3,094,682
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 371,596
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
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<OTHER-INCOME> 0
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<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (175,186)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1,284,892
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (813,421)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (70,420)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 43,755
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (239,250)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 24,454
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (1,357,820)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.11
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<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (0.02)
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<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.90
</TABLE>
