<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FRANKLIN
STRATEGIC SERIES APRIL 30, 2000 ANNUAL REPORT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 042
<NAME> FRANKLIN GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS FUND - CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 260,691,596
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 328,066,306
<RECEIVABLES> 3,278,038
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 331,344,344
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1,926,350
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 761,868
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2,688,218
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 232,867,625
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 219,035
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 4,668
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 156,013
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 28,262,901
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 67,369,587
<NET-ASSETS> 328,656,126
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 4,239,547
<INTEREST-INCOME> 69,728
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (2,792,187)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 1,517,088
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 46,156,983
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 28,526,623
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 76,200,694
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (6,176)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (110,158)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 211,587
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (2,948)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 5,728
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 111,945,896
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 2,918,850
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 18,774,263
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> (1,373,485)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> (2,792,187)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 264,293,405
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 16.920
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.080) <F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 6.250
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.320)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (2.970)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> .000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 19.80
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.740
<FN>
<F1> Based on average shares outstanding.
</FN>
</TABLE>
