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002 A000000 ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
002 B000000 BOSTON
002 C000000 MA
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<PAGE> PAGE 2
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020 C000001 70
020 A000002 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER &SMITH
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020 C000002 44
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020 B000008 13-4946705
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<PAGE> PAGE 4
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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>
Putnam Utilities Growth and Income Fund
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> CLASS A
<S> <C>
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<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1997
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</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
Putnam Utilities Growth and Income Fund
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
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<S> <C>
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<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1997
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</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
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<LEGEND>
Putnam Utilities Growth and Income Fund
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> CLASS M
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