FIRST FUNDS
N-30D, 1997-02-28
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<PAGE>
                              December 31, 1996 

                     SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS 
                                      OF 

                                    [LOGO]





                                   [PICTURE]




                                     [LOGO]

                               Investment Advisor 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Dear Shareholder:

     This is First Funds semi-annual report for the six months ending 
December 31, 1996.  In the following pages, you will find for each of the 
Funds a comprehensive group of accounting reports, including the Portfolio of 
Investments, which outlines the holdings in each Portfolio as of the end of 
the period. In addition, each Portfolio Manager outlines the moves in their 
particular market during the last two quarters of the year, then discusses 
how they responded within their respective Portfolios. 

     As you will see by reading through the reports of each of the Portfolio 
Managers, this six month period presented some challenges for investors. 
Long-term interest rates began rising during the summer in response to 
stronger-than-expected economic growth, prompting the stock market to begin 
selling off. As we progressed into early fall, however, the economy's slower 
pace once again enticed investors into the financial markets--but with a 
somewhat more discerning eye. Quality was increasingly sought out, with 
larger, well-known names attracting the lion's share of investors' attention. 
 The year ended with interest rates again beginning to rise, and volatility 
increasing in both the stock and bond markets.

     First Funds reached a milestone during the period:  both the Growth & 
Income and Bond Portfolios turned three years old in August. Three years of 
performance history is significant for mutual funds, as they are graded on a 
one-, three-, five-, and ten-year basis, and many third-party ranking 
organizations will not assign a rating until a fund is able to show at least 
three years of performance history. Therefore, we are delighted to have 
passed this first hurdle for our flagship Funds. Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio 
is just over one year old. We have been very proud of its performance to 
date, and have been gratified by shareholder response to the Fund thus far.

As always, we welcome your inquiries on our toll-free line, (800) 442-1941 
or, if you prefer, please contact us in writing at 370 17th Street, Suite 
2700, Denver, CO  80202. Thank you for your continued interest in the First 
Funds Portfolios.

Sincerely,

[SIGCUT]

Richard C. Rantzow
President

                            
- ------------------------------------------------------ 
                   IMPORTANT NOTICE 
FIRST FUNDS SHARES 

*  are NOT insured by the FDIC, the Federal Reserve 
   Board or any other governmental agency.

*  are NOT bank deposits or other obligations of or 
   guaranteed by First Tennessee Bank National 
   Association or any of its affiliates.

*  involve investment risks, including the possible 
   loss of the principal amount invested.

First Funds are managed by First Tennessee Bank 
National Association, (First Tennessee), Highland 
Capital Management Corp. and PNC Institutional 
Management Corp. First Tennessee Bank National 
Association and Highland Capital Management Corp.
are subsidiaries of First Tennessee National 
Corporation. The Funds are sponsored and distributed 
by ALPS Mutual Funds Services, Inc., member NASD.
- ------------------------------------------------------ 

i --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
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- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
FIRST FUNDS GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO MANAGERS - DAVID THOMPSON AND EDWARD GOLDSTEIN

     Mr. Thompson, Senior Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, received 
his B.B.A. from the University of Mississippi in 1981 and his M.B.A. from the 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986. Prior to graduate school 
he was a financial analyst for Gulf Oil Corp. He has nine years of experience 
as a trust investment officer for major regional banks, managing both 
institutional and individual portfolios. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst. 

     Mr. Goldstein, Senior Portfolio Manager for Highland Capital Management, 
graduated from Boston University in 1971. He received his M.B.A. from 
Columbia University in 1976. He joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York where 
he became vice president in the international department with primary 
responsibility for Japan, the Middle East and Latin America. In 1985, he 
moved to Tokyo to establish a securities sales department for Goldman, Sachs.

SIX MONTHS IN REVIEW -------------------------------------------------------- 

PERFORMANCE

For the six months ended December 31, 1996, the First Funds Growth & Income 
Portfolio gained 11.7% versus a return of 11.8% for the S&P 500 Index.  

MARKET REVIEW

The third quarter began with an abrupt about face in investor sentiment. The 
unrelenting investor optimism that had characterized the first half of 1996 
finally gave way to fears over the strength in the economy, especially 
continuing strong job growth coupled with low levels of unemployment. In the 
past, this combination has generally resulted in rising inflation and the 
bond market's fairly predictable response was to begin raising long-term 
                           
- ------------------------------------------------------ 
             Growth & Income Portfolio 
     Asset Type Profile as of December 31, 1996 

                     [PIE CHART]

        UTILITIES                     3.9% 
        BASIC MATERIALS               3.0% 
        ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES   10.2% 
        CONSUMER SERVICES             8.8% 
        TECHNOLOGY                   13.4% 
        FINANCE                      15.9% 
        CAPITAL GOODS                14.8% 
        CONSUMER NON-DURABLES        21.6% 
        COMMERCIAL PAPER              7.7% 
- ------------------------------------------------------ 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $100,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRST FUNDS GROWTH 
& INCOME PORTFOLIO (CLASS I) AND THE S&P 500.

                                  [CHART]

PLEASE NOTE:  CLASS I INCEPTION IS AUGUST 2, 1993.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT 
PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii 
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
FIRST FUNDS GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRST FUNDS 
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO (CLASS II) AND THE S&P 500.

                                  [CHART]

PLEASE NOTE:  CLASS II INCEPTION IS DECEMBER 20, 1995.  CLASS II IS SUBJECT 
TO A 5.75% INITIAL SALES LOAD AND $9,425 IS THE NET INVESTMENT AFTER THE 
SALES LOAD IS DEDUCTED.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.*

interest rates. With fairly lofty share prices already concerning 
stockholders, fear that higher interest rates might negatively affect future 
corporate profits led the stock market down as well. The broad S&P 500 Index 
fell 4.42% in July, down a full 10% from its high in mid-May. However, 
subsequent economic reports showing inflation still under control calmed the 
bond market and stocks resumed climbing to end the quarter up 3.09%.

Upward momentum continued in the fourth quarter as the stock market returned 
8.34%, its best quarterly gain of the year.  Economic fundamentals once again 
provided the fuel as third quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell to 2.1% 
from 4.7% in the second quarter, allowing inflation fears to remain on the 
back burner. The market continued its love affair with technology stocks. 
Other leading performers included Energy stocks, which were boosted by 
surprisingly strong oil and natural gas prices, and Financials, which 
benefited from the low inflation environment and subsequent strong earnings. 
Pharmaceuticals also performed well, due not only to the surprising number of 
new drug approvals by the FDA, but also to the industry's solid reputation as 
a defensive play in a tougher market environment. 

The six month period was characterized by a growing sense that the tenor of 
the market's advance was changing. Volatility seemed to be increasing, and 
investor focus was narrowing to encompass a more select group of issues--
most notably, large capitalization growth stocks. Sector emphasis also 
reflected a somewhat more defensive tone, indicating investors were growing 
less tolerant of any surprises.

GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO 

                 Cumulative       Average Annual       
               Total Return*      Total Return*        

                  Since        1 Year        Since     
                 Inception                 Inception   
- ------------------------------------------------------ 
CLASS I           84.06%       25.61%        19.48%    
CLASS II          72.43%       17.95%        17.23%    
CLASS III         77.42%       24.11%        18.21%    
S&P 500           80.56%       22.94%        18.88%    

*TOTAL RETURNS ARE FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 
1996 AND REFLECT REINVESTMENT OF ALL DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL 
GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS, ALL FEE WAIVERS IN EFFECT AND ANY 
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS.  WITHOUT THE FEE WAIVERS AND 
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS, THE TOTAL RETURN FIGURES WOULD 
HAVE BEEN LOWER.  FUND INCEPTION DATE IS AUGUST 2, 1993.
ON DECEMBER 9, 1993, THE PORTFOLIO COMMENCED SALES OF 
CLASS III SHARES, WHICH INCLUDE A HIGHER TRANSFER AGENCY 
FEE, A .75% DISTRIBUTION FEE AND A .25% SHAREHOLDER 
SERVICES FEE.  PERFORMANCE INFORMATION PRIOR TO DECEMBER 9,
1993 FOR CLASS III IS BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CLASS I 
SHARES AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE EFFECTS OF THESE FEES, 
WHICH, IF INCLUDED, WOULD LOWER CLASS III PERFORMANCE.  
THE PORTFOLIO COMMENCED SALES OF CLASS II SHARES ON 
DECEMBER 20, 1995, WHICH INCLUDE A HIGHER TRANSFER AGENCY 
FEE AND A .25% SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE.  PERFORMANCE 
INFORMATION FOR CLASS II SHARES PRIOR TO THEIR INCEPTION 
DATE IS BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CLASS I SHARES AND 
DOES NOT REFLECT THE EFFECTS OF THESE FEES WHICH, IF 
INCLUDED, WOULD LOWER CLASS II PERFORMANCE.  PAST 
PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. 

iii -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRST FUNDS GROWTH 
& INCOME PORTFOLIO (CLASS III) AND THE S&P 500.



                                  [CHART]



PLEASE NOTE:  CLASS III INCEPTION IS DECEMBER 9, 1993.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT 
PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.*


THE PORTFOLIO 

This increasing emphasis on quality played very well for the Portfolio's 
investment style during the period. The philosophy which drives our approach 
places significant weight on a company's ability to consistently grow its 
earnings--regardless of strength or weakness in the underlying economy. As 
earnings are rarely "out of favor", these stocks not only tend to perform in 
line with rising markets, but also frequently remain a store of value during 
periods of uncertainty. Therefore, we believe firm adherence to this approach 
benefits investors over time.

An excellent example of this type of company is NORWEST CORPORATION, the 
Portfolio's largest holding, up 31% during the six month period. A bank 
holding company based in Minneapolis, MN, this innovative financial services 
company has carved out a strong niche by remaining intently focused on the 
consumer. In addition to its highly-visible presence in community banking 
throughout a 16-state region, Norwest is now the largest servicer of 
residential mortgages in the U.S. Other operations include consumer finance, 
title services, asset and investment management, and leasing; the company 
currently has a presence in Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Long a 
consistent performer, 1996 was the eighth consecutive year of earnings 
increases.

Other strong performers for the six-month period ended 12/31/96 include 
Intel, up 78%, EMC, up 70%, Merck, up 24%, and Bank of Boston, up 32%.

CURRENT STRATEGY AND OUTLOOK

Looking out over the next few months, wage inflation is still a dominant 
concern, so we do not anticipate any significant shifts in investors' 
preferences for quality. Energy, Financials, and Healthcare should all remain 
fairly strong, and the Portfolio's strong emphasis on earnings ensures that 
it is generally well positioned for this environment. It seems evident that 
peak earnings growth is over for this cycle and that the market will continue 
to gravitate toward more traditional levels of volatility than it has 
exhibited over the past two years. This type of market creates opportunities 
for careful stock selection, and we believe our disciplined, bottom-up 
approach will benefit.  Regardless of whether the economy slows in coming 
months or grows at a slow and steady pace, we feel confident that the market 
will continue to gravitate to the high quality, consistent growth names 
emphasized in the Portfolio. 

iv ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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FIRST FUNDS BOND PORTFOLIO 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

BOND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS - JAMES TURNER AND STEVEN WISHNIA

     Mr. Turner is Vice President and Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager 
with Highland Capital. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1959 
and received a M.S. degree from Stanford University in 1964. He is a 
Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Turner was an Assistant Vice President with 
the Trust Investment Department of FirsTier Bank, N.A. in Omaha, Nebraska 
prior to joining Highland Capital Management.

     A 1972 Pace University graduate, Mr. Wishnia worked for Chase 
Manhattan's trust department from 1970 to 1971 and for Delphi Capital 
Management Corp., New York from 1971 to 1973. From 1973 to 1975, he was 
Treasurer of S.G. Securities, a closed-end mutual fund in Boston, 
Massachusetts. From August 1975 until co-founding Highland Capital Management 
Corp., Mr. Wishnia worked for Highland Investment Corporation.   

SIX MONTHS IN REVIEW ---------------------------------------------------------

PERFORMANCE

For the six month period ended December 31, 1996, the First Funds Bond 
Portfolio returned 4.80% against a 4.88% return for the Lehman Brothers 
Government/Corporate Bond Index.

MARKET REVIEW

The strength of the U.S economy continued to worry fixed income investors, as 
renewed inflation could heavily impact the future value of interest payments. 
With the bond market extremely sensitive to every nuance imbedded in each 
release of economic data, it is not surprising that the last two quarters 
were characterized by volatility. Strong economic growth early in the third 
quarter was greeted with steadily rising bond market 

- ------------------------------------------------------ 
                    Bond Portfolio 
      Asset Type Profile as of December 31, 1996       

                     [PIE CHART]

     UTILITIES                               1.7% 
     MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS             4.4% 
     U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS   41.7% 
     FOREIGN BOND                            1.3% 
     CORPORATE BOND & NOTES                 49.8% 
- ------------------------------------------------------ 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $100,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRST FUNDS BOND 
PORTFOLIO (CLASS I) AND THE LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE BOND INDEX.

                                  [CHART]

PLEASE NOTE:  CLASS I INCEPTION IS AUGUST 2, 1993.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT 
PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.*

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- v 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS BOND PORTFOLIO 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRST FUNDS BOND 
PORTFOLIO (CLASS II) AND THE LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE BOND INDEX.

                                  [CHART]

PLEASE NOTE:  CLASS II INCEPTION IS DECEMBER 20, 1995.  CLASS II IS SUBJECT 
TO A 3.75% SALES LOAD AND $9,625 IS THE NET INVESTMENT AFTER THE SALES LOAD 
IS DEDUCTED.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.*

yields. Intermediate-term rates rose as high as 6.98% by early September, 
with longer-term 30-year bonds reaching 7.11%. Yields were subsequently 
driven back later in the quarter, however, as data began to reflect a more 
substainable level of growth. Both the 10-year and 30-year issues rallied 
sharply and by early December, yields had dropped to 6.05% and 6.36%, 
respectively. Investors were seemingly unwilling to be lulled by good news, 
though; remarks made by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan drew a 
bearish response, and the bond market proceeded to retreat further as 
year-end economic data indicated the on-again off-again acceleration of 
economic growth was on again.

PORTFOLIO UPDATE     

This type of environment creates challenges for portfolio managers. However, 
while the bond market was fairly weak by year-end, the volatility of the 
period actually provided some opportunities to enhance the Portfolio. At the 
beginning of the third quarter, the Portfolio reflected management's fairly 
neutral outlook on interest rates. But by mid-quarter the steady drop in bond 
prices was beginning to look somewhat overdone and advantage was taken of the 
market's pessimism to add some attractive corporate issues to the Portfolio. 
In addition to modestly increasing yields, somewhat longer maturities also 
benefited the Portfolio when bond prices did indeed begin to rise.

Credit quality of the Portfolio was AA. The most significant change was the 
increase in the number of corporate issues in the Portfolio, bringing that 
weighting 

BOND PORTFOLIO 
                 Cumulative       Average Annual       
               Total Return*      Total Return*        

                  Since        1 Year        Since     
                 Inception                 Inception   
- ------------------------------------------------------ 
CLASS I           20.52%        1.91%         5.60%    
CLASS II          15.19%       (2.28)%        4.21%    
CLASS III         15.71%         .91%         4.35%    
LEHMAN BROS.      21.18%        2.91%         5.78%    
GOV'T/CORP    
BOND INDEX    

*TOTAL RETURNS ARE FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND REFLECT 
REINVESTMENT OF ALL DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS, ALL FEE WAIVERS 
IN EFFECT AND ANY EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS.  WITHOUT THE FEE WAIVERS AND 
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS, THE TOTAL RETURN FIGURES WOULD HAVE BEEN LOWER.  FUND 
INCEPTION DATE IS AUGUST 2, 1993. ON DECEMBER 2, 1993, THE PORTFOLIO 
COMMENCED SALES OF CLASS III SHARES, WHICH INCLUDE A HIGHER TRANSFER AGENCY 
FEE, A .75% DISTRIBUTION FEE AND A .25% SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE. PERFORMANCE 
INFORMATION PRIOR TO DECEMBER 2, 1993 FOR CLASS III IS BASED ON THE 
PERFORMANCE OF CLASS I SHARES AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE EFFECT OF THESE FEES, 
WHICH, IF INCLUDED, WOULD LOWER CLASS III PERFORMANCE.  THE BOND PORTFOLIO 
COMMENCED SALES OF CLASS II SHARES ON DECEMBER 20, 1995.  THESE SHARES 
INCLUDE A HIGHER TRANSFER AGENCY FEE AND A .25% SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE.  
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FOR CLASS II SHARES PRIOR TO THEIR INCEPTION DATE IS 
BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CLASS I SHARES AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE EFFECTS 
OF THESE FEE WHICH, IF INCLUDED, WOULD LOWER CLASS II PERFORMANCE.  PAST 
PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

vi --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRST FUNDS BOND 
PORTFOLIO (CLASS III) AND THE LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE BOND INDEX.

                                  [CHART]

PLEASE NOTE:  CLASS III INCEPTION IS DECEMBER 2, 1993.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT 
PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.*

from about 38% to 52% by year-end. Generally attractive sectors included banks 
and industrials; credits of companies with stable-to-improving financial 
situations were also selectively added to the Portfolio. Government and agency 
issues totaled nearly 42% of the Portfolio at year end.
  
CURRENT STRATEGY AND OUTLOOK

Going forward, management remains cautious. With the business cycle at a fairly 
mature stage, all eyes are on the Fed. Wage and employment statistics are being 
closely watched for signs of inflation, as that is where pressure seems the 
greatest. Until a clear direction emerges, however, management will try to 
maintain an index-neutral stance in the Portfolio, taking advantage of any 
sell-offs to add value.  

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO MANAGER - RALPH HERBERT

     Mr. Herbert, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, has seventeen years 
experience in the financial services industry and specializes in fixed income 
securities. Before joining First Tennessee in 1991, he was with Valley 
Fidelity Bank and Trust Company (Valley), Knoxville, Tennessee, for three 
years. For the two years prior to joining Valley, he was a municipal debt 
underwriter.

SIX MONTHS IN REVIEW -------------------------------------------------------- 

PERFORMANCE

For the six-month period ended December 31, 1996, the First Funds Tennessee 
Tax-Free Portfolio returned 5.03%, as compared to a return of 4.66% over the 
same period for the Lehman 10-Year Municipal Bond Index.

MARKET REVIEW

The municipal market ended the second half of 1996 just as it had spent most 
of the year: on a down note.  The economy was stronger than expected in the 
third quarter, although the throttle seemed to ease off a little in the 
fourth quarter.  Rising inflation is the primary worry, of course, but the 
underlying culprit for the market's mood is the uncertainty surrounding the 
Fed's next move.  Markets hate uncertainty and, although there is a wealth of 
information available, statistics regarding future inflation were conflicting 
over most of the period.  Many pundits who had been calling for the Fed to 
lower rates earlier in the year reversed themselves by year-end, instead 
expecting 

- ------------------------------------------------------ 
             Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio        
      Asset Type Profile as of December 31, 1996 

                     [PIE CHART]

        MUTUAL FUNDS                  5.5% 
        REVENUES BONDS               32.6% 
        GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS     61.9% 

- ------------------------------------------------------ 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $100,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRST FUNDS 
TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO (CLASS I) AND THE LEHMAN BROTHERS 10-YEAR 
MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX.

                                  [CHART]

PLEASE NOTE:  CLASS I INCEPTION IS DECEMBER 15, 1995.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT 
PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.*

viii ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRST FUNDS 
TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO (CLASS II) AND THE LEHMAN BROTHERS 10-YEAR 
MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX.

                                  [CHART]

PLEASE NOTE:  CLASS II INCEPTION IS DECEMBR 29, 1995.  CLASS II IS SUBJECT TO 
A 3.75% INITIAL SALES LOAD AND $9,625 IS THE NET INVESTMENT AFTER THE SALES 
LOAD IS DEDUCTED.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.*

the Fed to tighten early in 1997.  This lack of clear direction was a strong 
factor in the market's drift.  

Municipal bonds in general faired better than their taxable counterparts, due 
primarily to less price volatility.  Both 10-year and 5-year general obligation 
bonds finished the year up 4.78% and 4.63%, respectively.  The Lehman Municipal 
Bond Index finished the year up 4.43%.

PORTFOLIO UPDATE

We took advantage of weakness wherever possible during the period; as new money
flowed into the Portfolio throughout the summer and fall, we purchased bonds
with longer maturities.  This benefited the Portfolio not only by raising the
overall yield but also creates opportunities for price appreciation when yields
get pushed back down.  Extension swaps--trading some of the Portfolio's existing
shorter-term issues for ones with longer maturities--were done for the same
reason.  This repositioning of the Portfolio paid off well later in the fall as
the market began to rally.  More importantly, perhaps, the Portfolio's
intermediate maturity structure helped to insulate it from the market's drop in
December.  As well, since lower quality investments suffer the most when the
bond market begins to fall, the high quality of issues found throughout the
Portfolio assisted in retaining value.

CURRENT STRATEGY AND OUTLOOK

Inflation appears to remain in check, with the possible exception of growth in
average hourly earnings and the overall number of jobs in the economy.  This, of
course, creates pressure.  Higher wages mean more money is available for
spending, which tends to push up prices 

TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO 

                 Cumulative       Average Annual       
               Total Return*      Total Return*        

                  Since        1 Year        Since     
                 Inception                 Inception   
- ------------------------------------------------------ 
CLASS I            4.35%        3.60%         4.14%    
CLASS II           0.46%       (0.16)%        0.44%    
CLASS III          4.10%        3.35%         3.90%    
LEHMAN BROS.       4.54%        4.54%         4.54%    
10-YEAR 
MUNICIPAL
BOND INDEX 

*TOTAL RETURNS ARE FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND REFLECT 
REINVESTMENT OF ALL DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS, ALL FEE WAIVERS 
IN EFFECT AND ANY EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS.  WITHOUT THE FEE WAIVERS AND 
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS, THE TOTAL RETURN FIGURES WOULD HAVE BEEN LOWER.  FUND 
INCEPTION DATE IS DECEMBER 15, 1995.  ON DECEMBER 15, 1995, THE PORTFOLIO 
COMMENCED SALES OF CLASS III SHARES, WHICH INCLUDE A HIGHER TRANSFER AGENCY 
FEE, A .50% DISTRIBUTION FEE.  ON DECEMBER 29, 1995, THE PORTFOLIO COMMENCED 
SALES OF CLASS II SHARES, WHICH INCLUDE A HIGHER TRANSFER AGENCY FEE.  PAST 
PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ix 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRST FUNDS 
TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO (CLASS III) AND THE LEHMAN BROTHER 10-YEAR 
MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX.

                                  [CHART]

PLEASE NOTE:  CLASS III INCEPTION IS DECEMBER 15, 1995.  PAST PERFORMANCE IS 
NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.*

throughout the economy.  At present, this seems to be the most likely source 
of increasing inflation.  And, because inflation ultimately reduces both the 
value of individual bonds and the stream of interest payments investors 
receive for holding bonds, inflation is a bondholder's worst enemy.  On the 
positive side, the economy continues to grow.  Lower mortgage rates available 
during the fourth quarter meant housing remained strong and we see this 
continuing into the near term.

We expect returns will be modest in 1997, much as they were in 1996.  Over 
the short term, the Portfolio will be positioned with somewhat shorter 
duration to protect against tightening by the Fed.  If it appears that the 
economy is slowing after the first quarter, we will extend the average 
maturity as opportunities present themselves.

x ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

DEFINITION OF COMMON TERMS

GAIN (OR LOSS)

     If a stock or bond appreciates in price, there is an unrealized gain; if 
it depreciates there is an unrealized loss. A gain or loss is "realized" upon 
the sale of a security; if a Portfolio's net gains exceed net losses, there 
may be a capital gain distribution to shareholders. There could also be an 
ordinary income distribution if the net gain is short term or no distribution 
if there is a capital loss carryover.

DIVIDEND

     Net income distributed to shareholders generated by securities in a 
Portfolio. The Bond, Tennessee Tax-Free and all the Money Market Portfolios 
pay dividends monthly. The Growth & Income Portfolio pays dividends quarterly.

NET ASSET VALUE (NAV)

     Total market value of all securities and other assets held by a 
Portfolio, minus liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding. It 
is the value of a single share of a mutual fund on a given day. The total 
market value of your investment would be the NAV multiplied by the number of 
shares you own. NAV generally fluctuates daily for all the First Funds 
Portfolios except the Money Market Portfolios, which seek to maintain a 
stable $1.00 per share NAV.

CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION

     Certificates of participation (COPs), or lease-secured bonds, represent 
a bondholder's proportionate interest in rental payments made under a 
municipal lease contract. The payments are normally made pursuant to a lease 
and trust agreement. This type of tax-exempt municipal leasing has become an 
attractive alternative to traditional bond financing.

INSURED BONDS

     Insured Bonds refer to municipal obligations which are covered by an 
insurance policy issued by independent insurance companies. The policies 
insure the payment of principal and interest of the issuer. Examples of such 
companies would be MBIA (Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation), or 
AMBAC (American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation). Bonds insured by 
either AMBAC or MBIA are rated AAA.

GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS 

     General obligation bonds (GOs) are debts backed by the general taxing 
power of the issuer. Payment of the obligation may be backed by a specific 
tax or the issuer's general tax fund. Examples of GOs include sidewalk bonds, 
sewer bonds, street bonds and so on. These bonds are also known as FULL FAITH 
AND CREDIT bonds because the debt is a general obligation of the issuer.

REVENUE BONDS

     Revenue Bonds are issued to provide capital for the construction of a 
revenue-producing facility. The interest and principal payments are backed to 
the extent that the facility produces revenue to pay. Examples of revenue 
bonds include toll bridges, roads, parking lots and ports. The municipality 
is not obligated to cover debt payments on revenue bonds in default.

BOND RATINGS

     The quality of bonds can, to some degree, be determined from the ratings 
of the two most prominent rating services:  Moody's and Standard & Poor's. 
The ratings are used by the government and industry regulatory agencies, the 
investing public, and portfolio managers as a guide to the relative security 
and value of each bond. The ratings are not used as an absolute factor in 
determining the strength of the pledge securing a particular issue. However, 
since Moody's and Standard & Poor's rate bonds on a fee basis, some issuers 
choose not to be rated. Many non-rated issues are sound investments. The 
rating symbols of the two services are shown in the accompanying table.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                  MOODY'S INVESTORS     STANDARD & POOR'S CORP.     
                  SERVICES, INC.        (PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-))     

Prime             Aaa                   AAA 
Excellent         Aa                    AA  
Good              A                     A   
Average           Baa                   BBB 
Fair              Ba                    BB  
Poor              B                     B   
Marginal          Caa                   C   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------- 

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- xi 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

DEFINITION OF COMMON TERMS (CONTINUED)

SEC YIELD

     The SEC Yield was mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 
1988 as a standardized yield calculation intended to put performance 
presentations for all bond and money market funds on a level playing field. 
The SEC yield does not take into account income derived from capital gains, 
option writing, futures, or return of capital. The formula also adjusts the 
income from premium or discounted bonds to reflect the amortization of that 
bond.

TOTAL RETURN

     Total return measures a Portfolio's performance over a stated period of 
time, taking into account the combination of dividends paid and the gain or 
loss in the value of the securities held in the Portfolio. It may be 
expressed on an average semi-annual basis or a cumulative basis (total change 
over a given period).

     Whenever a Portfolio, other than a Money Market Portfolio, reports any 
type of performance, it must also report the average semi-annual total return 
according to the standardized calculation developed by the SEC. This 
standardized calculation was introduced to help investors compare different 
mutual funds on an equal performance basis. The SEC average semi-annual total 
return calculation includes the effects of all of the fund's fees and 
expenses, and assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains.

DEFINITION OF INDICES

STANDARD & POOR'S 500 is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market 
conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely-held common stocks. 
It is an unmanaged index.

LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE BOND INDEX, an unmanaged index, is a 
broad measure of bond performance, and includes reinvestment of dividends and 
capital gains.

LEHMAN BROTHERS 10-YEAR MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX, an unmanaged index, is a broad 
measure of municipal bond performance and includes reinvestment of dividends 
and capital gains.

xii -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)
                                                        VALUE     
                                           SHARES      (NOTE 1)   
                                           -------   ------------ 
COMMON STOCKS - 91.6%
BASIC MATERIALS - 3.0%
Morton International, Inc.                 171,700   $  6,996,775 
                                                     ------------ 
CAPITAL GOODS - 14.8%
Belden, Inc.                               238,400      8,820,800 
General Electric Co.                        78,200      7,732,025 
Grainger (W.W.), Inc.                       65,800      5,280,450 
WMX Technologies, Inc.                     227,500      7,422,188 
York International Corp.                    92,600      5,174,025 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL CAPITAL GOODS                                    34,429,488 
                                                     ------------ 
CONSUMER NON-DURABLES - 21.6%
Abbott Laboratories                        148,400      7,531,300 
Elan Corp. ADR*                            233,100      7,750,575 
Merck & Co., Inc.                           79,500      6,300,375 
Pepsico Inc.                               137,400      4,018,950 
Proctor & Gamble Co.                        29,550      3,176,625 
Sara Lee Corp.                             182,650      6,803,712 
Schering-Plough Corp.                      113,100      7,323,225 
Sysco Corp.                                222,400      7,255,800 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL NON-DURABLES                                     50,160,562 
                                                     ------------ 
CONSUMER SERVICES - 8.8%
Belo (A.H.) Corp., Class A                 173,300      6,043,837 
Federated Department Stores*               189,400      6,463,275 
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.       168,800      8,018,000 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL CONSUMER SERVICES                                20,525,112 
                                                     ------------ 
ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES - 10.2%
Coastal Corp.                              128,300      6,270,663 
Repsol S.A. ADR                            160,617      6,123,523 
Texaco, Inc.                                56,500      5,544,063 
YPF S.A. ADR                               225,500      5,693,875 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES                       23,632,124 
                                                     ------------ 
FINANCE - 15.9%
Bank of Boston Corp.                       115,000      7,388,750 
Chase Manhattan Corp.                       83,400      7,443,450 
Federal National Mortgage Association      186,000      6,928,500 
Norwest Corp.                              212,700      9,252,450 
UNUM Corp.                                  80,500      5,816,125 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL FINANCE                                          36,829,275 
                                                     ------------ 
TECHNOLOGY - 13.4%
Airtouch Communications, Inc.*             283,200      7,150,800 
EMC Corp.*                                 195,800      6,485,875 
Intel Corp.                                 44,600      5,837,025 
Motorola, Inc.                             101,600      6,235,700 
Sprint Corp.                               133,200      5,311,350 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL TECHNOLOGY                                       31,020,750 
                                                     ------------ 
UTILITIES - 3.9%
GTE Corp.                                  199,400      9,072,700 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
  (Cost $158,263,160)                                 212,666,786 
                                                     ------------ 

DUE                                 PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE           COUPON                AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----           ------              -----------       ------------ 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 8.4%
COMMERCIAL PAPER - 7.7%
American Express
01/09/97       5.632%              $ 2,000,000       $  2,000,000 
Commercial Credit
01/14/97       5.434%                2,000,000          2,000,000 
Exxon Imperial
01/10/97       5.350%                2,000,000          1,997,325 
First Chicago Corp.
01/07/97       5.320%                1,500,000          1,498,670 
01/15/97       5.420%                1,500,000          1,496,838 
Ford Motor Corp.
01/02/97       5.424%                2,000,000          2,000,000 
GE Capital Management
01/23/97       5.414%                2,000,000          2,000,000 
Merrill Lynch Co.
01/02/97       5.350%                2,000,000          1,999,703 
North Shore Gas 
01/09/97       5.850%                1,000,000            998,700 
Wisconsin Power & Light  
01/15/97       5.300%                2,000,000          1,995,878 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER                                 17,987,114 
                                                     ------------ 
                                     MATURITY  
                                      AMOUNT   
                                     --------- 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS - 0.7%
HSBC Securities, Inc., 5.50%, 
dated 12/31/96, due 01/02/97, 
collateralized by $1,600,000 
U.S. Treasury Note, 5.875%, 
due 07/31/97                         1,601,889          1,601,400 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
  (Cost $19,588,514)                                   19,588,514 
                                                     ------------ 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100%
  (Cost $177,851,674)                                $232,255,300 
                                                     ------------ 
                                                     ------------ 
*Non-income producing security
ADR - American Depository Receipt

UNREALIZED GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENTS:

At December 31, 1996, the net unrealized appreciation 
based on cost for income tax purposes of 
$177,899,220 was as follows:

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for 
all investments in which there was an excess 
of value over tax cost                               $ 55,546,925 

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for 
all investments in which there was an excess 
of tax cost over value                                 (1,190,845)
                                                     ------------ 
Net unrealized appreciation                          $ 54,356,080 
                                                     ------------ 
                                                     ------------ 
OTHER INFORMATION:

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, 
for the six-months ended December 31, 1996 aggregated $39,156,193 
and $30,764,493, respectively.   

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.     
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

DUE                                              PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE           COUPON                             AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----           ------                           -----------       ------------ 

U.S GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 41.7%
U.S. TREASURY BONDS  
05/15/16      7.250%                           $ 13,640,000       $ 14,402,994 
08/15/17      8.875%                              4,055,000          5,005,391 

U.S. TREASURY NOTES
05/31/98      5.375%                              6,000,000          5,955,000 
04/30/00      6.750%                              7,335,000          7,474,827 
08/15/02      6.375%                              6,555,000          6,598,020 
02/15/04      5.875%                              8,390,000          8,169,763 
08/15/05      6.500%                                500,000            503,438 

FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION 
10/11/06      7.150%                              2,000,000          2,006,458 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
  (Cost $50,247,514)                                                50,115,891 
                                                                  ------------ 
CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES - 51.6%
BASIC MATERIALS - 2.8%
BHP Finance USA
03/01/06      6.690%                              2,270,000          2,216,732 
USX Corp. 
01/21/99      8.050%                              1,190,000          1,225,167 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL BASIC MATERIALS                                                3,441,889 
                                                                  ------------ 
CAPITAL GOODS - 8.9%
Dover Corp.
11/15/05      6.450%                              1,900,000          1,842,515 
Lockheed Martin
03/15/03      6.750%                              2,300,000          2,292,226 
05/15/01      6.850%                              2,000,000          2,018,652 
Raytheon Co.
07/15/05      6.500%                              2,350,000          2,277,279 
Tyco International Limited
11/01/01      6.500%                              2,250,000          2,227,946 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL CAPITAL GOODS                                                 10,658,618 
                                                                  ------------ 
CONSUMER NON-DURABLES - 5.2%
American Home Products Corp.
02/15/00      7.700%                              2,000,000          2,073,712 
Anheuser Busch
09/01/05      7.000%                              2,300,000          2,309,651 
Philip Morris
12/01/99      7.125%                              1,870,000          1,897,865 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL CONSUMER NON-DURABLES                                          6,281,228 
                                                                  ------------ 
CONSUMER SERVICES - 5.2%
Federal Express Corp.
03/23/10      8.400%                              1,750,000          1,892,870 
Price/Costco, Inc.
06/15/05      7.125%                              2,275,000          2,249,140 
Waste Management
10/01/02      7.700%                              2,000,000          2,099,220 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL CONSUMER SERVICES                                              6,241,230 
                                                                  ------------ 

DUE                                              PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE           COUPON                             AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----           ------                           -----------       ------------ 

CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES (CONTINUED)
FINANCE - 22.8%
Associates Corp. of North America
09/17/99      6.680%                             $1,230,000        $ 1,242,216 
Bankers Trust - NY Corp.
03/15/06      7.125%                              2,250,000          2,238,750 
Barnett Cap II 144A**    
12/01/26      7.950%                              2,400,000          2,402,472 
CNA Financial
11/15/03      6.250%                              2,215,000          2,134,225 
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
02/15/16      5.625%                              2,000,000          1,916,134 
First Chicago
01/15/03      7.625%                              1,700,000          1,767,123 
Ford Capital 
05/01/98      9.125%                                910,000            944,043 
Ford Motor Credit 
09/25/01      7.000%                              2,400,000          2,437,694 
General Motors Acceptance Corp. 
02/15/01      5.625%                              2,250,000          2,167,868 
Lehman Brothers, Inc.
02/01/01      6.125%                              2,300,000          2,239,308 
Morgan Stanley Group, Inc.
10/01/03      6.125%                              2,200,000          2,106,531 
Norwest Corp.
12/01/05      6.200%                              2,050,000          1,963,113 
Wachovia Corp.
11/15/06      6.625%                              2,100,000          2,058,292 
Wells Fargo Capital
12/15/26      7.960%                              1,800,000          1,793,745 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL FINANCE                                                       27,411,514 
                                                                  ------------ 
TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION - 3.1%
Northwest Airlines Corp.
01/02/15      7.670%                              1,500,000          1,547,505 
Union Pacific Corp.
01/15/04      6.125%                              2,250,000          2,147,760 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION                                        3,695,265 
                                                                  ------------ 
UTILITIES - 3.6%
GTE 
11/01/08      6.900%                              2,250,000          2,235,060 
Public Service Electric & Gas
11/01/01      7.875%                              2,000,000          2,075,458 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL UTILITIES                                                      4,310,518 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES
  (Cost $62,144,115)                                                62,040,272 
                                                                  ------------ 
FOREIGN BOND - 1.2%
Fomento Economico Mexico S.A.
07/22/97      9.500%                              1,500,000          1,516,875 
  (Cost $1,508,579) 
                                                                  ------------ 

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.     
2  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

BOND PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

DUE                                              PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE           COUPON                             AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----           ------                           -----------       ------------ 

ASSET BACKED - 0.0%                                      
Security Pacific Home Equity Loan,
Series 1991-2 A
06/15/20      8.100%                                 14,533             14,533 
  (Cost $14,777)
                                                                  ------------ 
MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 4.4%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
Series 1698-E 
10/15/06      6.000%                           $  2,400,000       $  2,373,768 
Federal National Mortgage Association,
1994-M3, Class B
04/25/06      7.710%                              2,225,000          2,292,445 
Guaranteed Mortgage Corp. III,
Series L
07/20/19      9.050%                                100,002            100,524 
Resolution Trust Corp.,
Series 1992-8 A
12/25/26      8.250%                                 74,358             74,358 
Resolution Trust Corp.,
Series 1992-C6
07/25/24      6.625%*                               435,303            436,119 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS
  (Cost $5,311,486)                                                  5,277,214 
                                                                  ------------ 

                                                 MATURITY 
                                                  AMOUNT  
                                                 -------- 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS - 1.1%
HSBC Securities, Inc., 5.500%, dated 
12/31/96, due 01/02/97, collateralized
by $1,275,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 5.875%
due 07/31/97                                      1,278,591          1,278,200 
   (Cost $1,278,200)
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100%
  (Cost $120,504,671)                                             $120,242,985 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                  ------------ 

*Floating or variable rate security - rate disclosed as of 
  December 31, 1996.

**Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
1933. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration,
normally to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 1996, this security
amounted to a value of $2,402,472 or 2.0% of net assets.

UNREALIZED GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENTS:

At December 31, 1996, the net unrealized depreciation 
based on cost for income tax purposes of 
$120,506,453 was as follows:

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for 
all investments in which there was an excess 
of value over tax cost                                            $    878,702 

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for 
all investments in which there was an excess 
of tax cost over value                                              (1,142,170)

Net unrealized depreciation                                       $   (263,468)
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                  ------------ 

As of June 30, 1996, the Bond Portfolio had a capital loss carryover of
approximately $962,000 available to offset capital gains to the extent provided
in regulations, which will expire on June 30, 2003.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, for the
six-months ended December 31, 1996 aggregated $43,724,812 and $33,546,301,
respectively.  

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.     
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

DUE                                              PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE           COUPON                             AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----           ------                           -----------       ------------ 

GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - 61.9%
Bradley County Tennessee 
03/01/08      5.200%                              $ 320,000       $    321,414 
Cleveland Tennessee 
09/01/09      5.375%                                330,000            334,151 
Collierville Tennessee
11/01/10      5.300%                                475,000            469,466 
Grundy County Tennessee
05/01/06      5.350%                                300,000            311,562 
Hamilton County Tennessee
09/01/05      5.000%                                300,000            306,327 
Johnson City Tennessee
06/01/12      5.900%                                245,000            253,891 
Knox County Tennessee
04/01/08      5.100%                                350,000            352,079 
Knoxville Tennessee  
05/01/08      5.300%                                350,000            357,469 
Memphis Tennessee 
08/01/06      5.200%                                500,000            512,520 
Metropolitan Nashville 
05/15/05      5.000%                                350,000            356,209 
07/01/13      5.125%                                500,000            482,190 
Oak Ridge Tennessee      
07/01/10      5.550%                                500,000            509,200 
Putnam County Tennessee
04/01/07      5.100%                                330,000            334,633 
Rutherford County Tennessee
04/01/09      5.250%                                500,000            503,600 
Sevier County Tennessee
04/01/12      5.600%                                400,000            402,684 
Shelby County Tennessee 
03/01/11      5.800%                                400,000            411,592 
State of Tennessee 
03/01/07      5.400%                                240,000            250,596 
Weakly County Tennessee
05/01/09      5.000%                                350,000            344,285 
Wilson County Tennessee
06/01/13      5.500%                                500,000            496,240 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
  (Cost $7,237,392)                                                  7,310,108 
                                                                  ------------ 
REVENUE BONDS - 32.6%
HOSPITAL - 6.1%
Jackson Hospital 
04/01/10      5.500%                                400,000            406,228 
Knox County Tennessee Health & 
Education (Ft. Sanders Hospital)
01/01/11      5.750%                                300,000            307,848 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL HOSPITAL                                                         714,076 
                                                                  ------------ 
HOUSING - 9.4%
Tennessee Housing Development 
Authority
07/01/00      4.950%                                250,000            254,253 
01/01/11      5.800%                                400,000            409,100 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL HOUSING                                                        1,109,676 
                                                                  ------------ 

DUE                                              PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE           COUPON                             AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----           ------                           -----------       ------------ 

REVENUE BONDS (CONTINUED)
STATE AUTHORITY - 6.4%
Tennessee State Local Development
Authority 
03/01/11      5.750%                              $ 250,000       $    251,758 
Tennessee State School Board Authority 
05/01/11      5.500%                                500,000            506,215 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL STATE AUTHORITY                                                  757,973 
                                                                  ------------ 
UTILITY - 10.7%
Knoxville Tennessee Electric
07/01/12      5.700%                                500,000            507,860 
Knoxville Tennessee Gas  
03/01/08      5.050%                                400,000            400,312 
La Follette Tennessee Electrical Systems 
06/01/11      5.800%                                430,000            446,323 
Lawrenceburg Tennessee Electric  
07/01/06      5.200%                                345,000            353,842 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL UTILITY                                                        1,262,014 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL REVENUE BONDS
  (Cost $3,809,261)                                                  3,843,739 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                     SHARES 
                                                     ------ 
MUTUAL FUNDS - 5.5%
Federated Tennessee Municipal 
Cash Trust                                          652,686            652,686 
  (Cost $652,686)
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100%
  (Cost $11,699,339)                                              $ 11,806,533 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                  ------------ 
UNREALIZED GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENTS:

At December 31, 1996, the net unrealized depreciation 
based on cost for income tax purposes of 
$11,699,339 was as follows:

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for 
all investments in which there was an excess 
of value over tax cost                                            $    130,779 

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for 
all investments in which there was an excess 
of tax cost over value                                                 (23,585)
                                                                  ------------ 
Net unrealized depreciation                                       $    107,194 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                  ------------ 
OTHER INFORMATION:

The Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio intends to elect to defer to its fiscal year
ending June 30, 1997 $7,688 of losses recognized during the period November 1,
1995 to June 30, 1996. 

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, for the
six-months ended December 31, 1996 aggregated $10,546,262 and $7,257,236,
respectively.   

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.   
4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

DUE        DISCOUNT RATE OR                      PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE         COUPON RATE                          AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----       ----------------                     -----------       ------------ 
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 55.4%
U.S. TREASURY NOTES
01/15/97      8.00%                             $ 3,000,000       $  3,002,426 
01/31/97      7.50%                               2,000,000          2,002,935 
02/28/97      6.75%                               3,485,000          3,491,274 
02/28/97      6.88%                               1,000,000          1,002,299 
03/31/97      6.63%                               1,000,000          1,002,974 
04/15/97      8.50%                               1,000,000          1,008,293 
04/30/97      6.50%                               8,000,000          8,025,233 
05/15/97      6.50%                               1,775,000          1,780,627 
05/15/97      8.50%                               1,000,000          1,010,811 
05/31/97      6.13%                               1,000,000          1,002,971 
07/31/97      5.88%                               2,000,000          2,004,897 
08/15/97      6.50%                                 500,000            501,376 
08/31/97      6.00%                               3,000,000          3,010,149 
09/30/97      5.75%                               2,000,000          2,003,669 
10/15/97      8.75%                               2,000,000          2,048,763 
10/31/97      5.63%                               1,000,000          1,001,147 

U.S. TREASURY BILLS                              
01/02/97      5.06%                              25,000,000         25,000,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS                                     58,899,844 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                 MATURITY     
                                                  AMOUNT      
                                                -----------   
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS  44.6%
HSBC Securities Inc., 5.750%, dated 
12/31/96, due 01/02/97, collateralized
by $10,910,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 
12.00%, due 08/15/13                             15,814,050         15,809,000 

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corp., 6.00%, dated 12/31/96, due 
01/02/97, collateralized by $15,301,000
U.S. Treasury Note, 7.13% due 
02/29/00                                         15,814,270         15,809,000 

Lehman Brothers, 6.75%, dated 
12/31/96, due 01/02/97, collateralized 
by $12,130,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 
10.75%, due 08/15/05                             15,814,928         15,809,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS                                         47,427,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100%                                          $106,326,844 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                  ------------ 
INCOME TAX INFORMATION:

Total cost for Federal income tax purposes - $106,326,844

The U.S. Treasury Money Market Portfolio intends to elect to defer to its fiscal
year ending June 30, 1997 $6,168 of losses recognized during the period November
1, 1995 to June 30, 1996. 

U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

DUE        DISCOUNT RATE OR                      PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE         COUPON RATE                          AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----       ----------------                     -----------       ------------ 

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 12.9%
U.S TREASURY NOTES
01/31/97      7.50%                             $ 2,500,000       $  2,503,730 
02/28/97      6.75%                               2,000,000          2,003,636 
02/28/97      6.88%                               1,000,000          1,002,299 
05/31/97      6.75%                               1,000,000          1,005,189 
08/31/97      6.00%                               2,000,000          2,006,291 
09/30/97      5.75%                               2,000,000          2,003,669 
10/31/97      5.63%                               1,000,000          1,001,147 
10/31/97      5.75%                               1,000,000          1,002,279 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS                                     12,528,240 
                                                                  ------------ 
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 74.6%
Federal Home Loan Bank
01/09/97      5.21%                               1,000,000            998,987 
01/24/97      5.48%*                              5,000,000          4,996,842 
02/13/97      5.25%                               1,000,000            993,875 
06/23/97      5.37%                               1,500,000          1,461,515 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.            
01/23/97      5.30%                               2,000,000          1,993,817 
02/24/97      5.28%                               2,000,000          1,984,453 
Federal National Mortgage Association
01/03/97      5.40%*                              5,000,000          4,996,869 
01/07/97      5.32%                               5,000,000          5,000,000 
01/07/97      5.42%*                              5,000,000          4,998,192 
01/10/97      5.53%                               1,000,000            998,771 
01/10/97      7.60%                               1,000,000          1,000,406 
01/29/97      5.23%                               2,500,000          2,490,193 
02/20/97      5.26%                               1,000,000            992,840 
03/06/97      5.31%*                              5,000,000          4,999,348 
03/24/97      5.47%                               1,000,000            987,692 
04/21/97      5.18%                               2,000,000          1,968,632 
05/09/97      5.15%                               1,955,000          1,919,481 
05/29/97      5.15%                               2,000,000          1,957,942 
Student Loan Marketing Association
01/07/97      5.57%*                             12,650,000         12,647,439 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS                                   72,384,770 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                 MATURITY     
                                                  AMOUNT      
                                                -----------   
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS  12.5%
HSBC Securities Inc., 5.75%, dated 
12/31/96, due 01/02/97, collateralized 
by $4,190,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 12.00%, 
due 08/15/13                                      6,081,942          6,080,000 

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corp., 6.00%, dated 12/31/96, due 
01/02/97, collateralized by $6,253,000 
U.S. Treasury Note, 5.13%, due 11/30/98           6,082,027          6,080,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS                                         12,160,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100%                                          $ 97,073,010 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                  ------------ 

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.     
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

*Floating or variable rate security - rate disclosed as of 
December 31, 1996.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION:

Total cost for Federal income tax purposes - $97,073,010

The U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio intends to elect to defer to its 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1997 $2,691 of losses recognized during the 
period November 1, 1995 to June 30, 1996.   

MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

DUE        DISCOUNT RATE OR                      PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE         COUPON RATE                          AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----       ----------------                     -----------       ------------ 

MUNICIPAL BONDS & NOTES - 100.0%
CALIFORNIA - 2.4%
Los Angeles County Trans
06/30/97      4.50%                             $ 2,000,000       $  2,006,136 
                                                                  ------------ 
COLORADO - 3.6%
Colorado Health Facilities Authority
01/07/97      4.15%*                              3,000,000          3,000,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
GEORGIA - 3.3%
Thomasville Georgia, Payroll 
Development Authority
01/07/97      4.30%*                              2,750,000          2,750,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
ILLINOIS - 8.3%
Illinois Development Authority
01/07/97      4.40%*                              2,200,000          2,200,000 
Peoria Illinois Industrial Development
01/07/97      4.30%*                              2,865,000          2,865,000 
Quad Cities Economic Development
01/07/97      4.30%*                              1,915,000          1,915,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                     6,980,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
INDIANA - 14.0 %
City of Indianapolis Industrial 
Gas & Utility
05/09/97      3.45%                               3,000,000          3,000,000 
Franklin County Economic Development
01/07/97      4.25%*                              2,225,000          2,225,000 
Indiana Development Finance Authority
01/07/97      4.40%*                              4,900,000          4,900,000 
Noblesville Industrial 
Development 
01/07/97      4.40%*                              1,550,000          1,550,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                    11,675,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
LOUISIANA - 1.2% 
Calcasieu Parish Citgo Petroleum
01/02/97      5.10%*                                600,000            600,000 
West Baton Rouge Parish Dow Chemical 
01/02/97      5.10%*                                400,000            400,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                     1,000,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
MASSACHUSSETS - 0.8%
Mass Industrial Finance Agency            
01/24/97      3.70%                                 700,000            700,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
NEVADA - 0.7%
Clark County Industrial Development  
01/07/97      4.15%*                                600,000            600,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
NEW HAMPSHIRE - 2.4%
New Hampshire I.D.A., Solid Waste
03/03/97      3.75%                               2,000,000          2,000,000 
                                                                  ------------ 

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.   
6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

DUE        DISCOUNT RATE OR                      PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE         COUPON RATE                          AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----       ----------------                     -----------       ------------ 

MUNICIPAL BONDS & NOTES (CONTINUED)
NEW YORK - 2.5%
New York LGAC, Series 1994 B
01/07/97      4.00%*                            $   600,000       $    600,000 
New York City Trans
02/12/97      4.50%                               1,500,000          1,501,202 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                     2,101,202 
                                                                  ------------ 
OHIO - 11.5%
Berea Bond Anticipation Notes
07/10/97      4.09%                                 765,000            765,532 
Clermont County Hospital
Facilities Series A
01/02/97      4.20%*                                900,000            900,000 
Columbus Ohio, Series 1 
01/07/97      4.10%*                              3,000,000          3,000,000 
Franklin County Hospital
01/07/97      4.15%*                              3,500,000          3,500,000 
Stark County Bond Anticipation Notes
06/19/97      4.12%                               1,450,000          1,451,409 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                     9,616,941 
                                                                  ------------ 
PENNSYLVANIA - 2.4%
Pennsylvania State Tax Anticipation Notes
06/30/97      4.50%                               2,000,000          2,007,132 
                                                                  ------------ 
TENNESSEE - 31.3%
Chattanooga Health and Education Housing
01/07/97      4.15%*                              1,250,000          1,250,000 
Chattanooga Southern Foundry IDB
01/07/97      4.25%*                              1,400,000          1,400,000 
Clarksville Public Building Authority
01/07/97      4.00%*                                200,000            200,000 
Knox County IDB
01/07/97      4.10%*                              1,000,000          1,000,000 
01/07/97      4.50%*                                100,000            100,000 
01/15/97      3.70%*                              1,650,000          1,650,000 
Knox County Health and Education, Hospital, 
Series A 
01/07/97      4.20%*                              3,100,000          3,100,000 
Knox County Health and Education, Mercy 
Health System, Series 94B
01/01/97      4.20%*                                800,000            800,000 
Memphis General Obligation 
01/07/97      4.10%*                                700,000            700,000 
Metropolitan Government Nashville,
Baptist Hospital
01/07/97      4.00%*                              2,000,000          2,000,000 
01/28/97      3.50%                               3,500,000          3,500,000 
Metropolitan Nashville Airport
01/07/97      4.10%*                                800,000            800,000 
Metropolitan Nashville Airport
01/07/97      4.10%*                              2,805,000          2,805,000 
Montgomery County Public Building 
01/07/97      4.30%*                              3,000,000          3,000,000 

DUE        DISCOUNT RATE OR                      PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE         COUPON RATE                          AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----       ----------------                     -----------       ------------ 

MUNICIPAL BONDS & NOTES (CONTINUED)
TENNESSEE (CONTINUED)
Shelby County Health and Education
08/01/97      4.05%                             $ 1,930,000       $  1,930,000 
South Pittsburg Industrial Development
01/07/97      4.25%*                              2,000,000          2,000,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                    26,235,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
TEXAS - 6.6%
City of Austin Utility System
05/09/97      3.50%                               3,000,000          3,000,000 
Dallas Area Rapid Transit 
05/09/97      3.50*%                              2,500,000          2,500,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                     5,500,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
WASHINGTON - 4.9%
Washington Public Power Supply
01/07/97      4.10%*                                100,000            100,000 
Yakima Public Corporation
01/07/97      4.25%*                              4,000,000          4,000,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                     4,100,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
WISCONSIN - 4.1%
Wisconsin Health and Education
01/07/97      4.05%*                              3,400,000          3,400,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS & NOTES                                       83,671,411 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100%                                          $ 83,671,411 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                  ------------ 
*Floating or variable rate security - rate disclosed as of 
 December 31, 1996.

Total cost for Federal income tax purposes - $83,671,411

As of June 30, 1996, Municipal Money Market Portfolio had a capital loss 
carryover of approximately $3,000 available to offset capital gains to the 
extent provided in the regulations, which will expire on June 30, 2002.

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.     
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

CASH RESERVE PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)

DUE        DISCOUNT RATE OR                      PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE         COUPON RATE                          AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----       ----------------                     -----------       ------------ 

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT - 8.5%                              
Bank of Illinois 
04/22/97      5.48%                             $ 2,000,000        $ 2,000,000 
Bank of New York
03/03/97      5.63%                               2,000,000          1,999,905 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT                                        3,999,905 
                                                                  ------------ 
CORPORATE NOTES - 4.2%
SECURITY BROKER/DEALERS
Bear Stearns Co.
02/06/97      5.470%*                             2,000,000          2,000,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL CORPORATE NOTES                                                2,000,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
COMMERCIAL PAPER - 73.7%
AGRICULTURAL SERVICES - 2.7%
Golden Peanut Co.
02/10/97      5.32%                               1,300,000          1,292,508 
                                                                  ------------ 
AUTOMOTIVE - 4.2%
Daimler-Benz North America
02/03/97      5.35%                               2,000,000          1,990,489 
                                                                  ------------ 
BANKS - 12.6%
Citibank
01/06/97      5.47%                               1,000,000            999,392 
National City Credit Corp.
02/24/97      5.34%                               2,000,000          1,984,277 
NationsBank Corp.
02/12/97      5.36%                               1,995,000          1,982,822 
Norwest Corp.
03/25/97      5.41%                               1,000,000            987,677 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL BANKS                                                          5,954,168 
                                                                  ------------ 
BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS - 14.8%
CIT Holdings
01/14/97      5.38%                               2,000,000          1,996,413 
GE Capital Corp.
04/28/97      5.34%                               2,000,000          1,965,587 
National Rural Utilities
01/24/97      5.29%                               2,000,000          1,993,534 
Paccar Financial Corp.
01/30/97      5.60%                               1,000,000            995,645 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS                                   6,951,179 
                                                                  ------------ 
EQUIPMENT RENT/LEASE SERVICES - 2.1%
International Lease Finance 
03/07/97      5.40%                               1,000,000            990,400 
                                                                  ------------ 
ELECTRICAL SERVICES - 4.2%
Southern California Edison
04/15/97      5.31%                               2,000,000          1,969,615 
                                                                  ------------ 
ENTERTAINMENT - 4.2%
Walt Disney Co.
03/24/97      5.40%                               2,000,000          1,975,700 
                                                                  ------------ 

DUE        DISCOUNT RATE OR                      PRINCIPAL           VALUE     
DATE         COUPON RATE                          AMOUNT            (NOTE 1)   
- ----       ----------------                     -----------       ------------ 

COMMERCIAL PAPER (CONTINUED)
FINANCE LESSORS - 8.4%
IBM Credit Corp.
04/15/97      5.37%                             $ 2,000,000       $  1,969,272 
Pitney Bowes Credit Corp.
03/17/97      5.55%                               2,000,000          1,977,183 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL FINANCE LESSORS                                                3,946,455 
                                                                  ------------ 
LIFE INSURANCE - 4.2%
Met Life Funding, Inc.
02/18/97      5.28%                               2,000,000          1,986,213 
                                                                  ------------ 
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS - 8.5%
Dean Witter Discover & Company
01/17/97      5.42%                               2,000,000          1,995,483 
Ford Motor Credit Corp.
02/27/97      5.28%                               2,000,000          1,983,573 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS                                   3,979,056 
                                                                  ------------ 
SECURITY BROKER/DEALERS - 7.8%
CS First Boston
02/03/97      5.480%*                             1,700,000          1,700,000 
Goldman Sachs            
03/31/97      5.45%                               2,000,000          1,973,355 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL SECURITY BROKER/DEALERS                                        3,673,355 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER                                              34,709,138 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                 MATURITY     
                                                  AMOUNT      
                                                -----------   
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT 13.6%
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
  Corp., 6.00%, dated 12/31/96, due 
  01/02/97, collateralized by $6,837,000
  U.S. Treasury Bill, due 11/13/97                6,396,131          6,394,000 
                                                                  ------------ 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100%                                           $47,103,043 
                                                                  ------------ 
                                                                  ------------ 
*Floating or variable rate security - rate disclosed as of 
 December 31, 1996.

Total cost for income tax purposes - $47,103,043

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.   
8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                                 GROWTH & INCOME    BOND     TENNESSEE TAX-FREE
                                                    PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>              <C>          <C>
ASSETS:
Investments, at value (cost-see below)(Note 1)    $232,255,300   $120,242,985   $11,806,533
Cash                                                        21             32             0
Receivable for portfolio shares sold                    97,196              0       155,644
Dividends receivable                                   318,175              0             0
Interest receivable                                     25,632      1,945,162       194,392
Due from administrator                                       0              0         1,652
Other assets                                            10,759          7,676         2,003
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
       Total assets                                232,707,083    122,195,855    12,160,224
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for investments purchased                            0              0       498,675
Accrued advisory fee                                   100,553         15,698             0
Accrued administration fee                              27,683         16,549             0
Accrued co-administration fee                            9,791          5,375             0
Dividends payable                                      632,933        631,760        49,204
Accrued 12b-1 fee                                       36,250          3,075         1,423
Accrued shareholder servicing fee                       12,357            908             0
Other payables and accrued expenses                     70,292         30,781        19,962
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
       Total liabilities                               889,859        704,146       569,264
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                                        $231,817,224   $121,491,709   $11,590,960
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid in capital                                   $176,998,470   $122,071,621   $11,523,361
Over-distributed net investment income                 (29,733)       (36,367)           (5)
Accumulated net realized gain(loss) on                                                      
   investments                                         444,861       (281,859)      (39,590)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                                                  
   in value of investments                          54,403,626       (261,686)      107,194 
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                                        $231,817,224   $121,491,709   $11,590,960 
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
COST OF INVESTMENTS                               $177,851,674   $120,504,671   $11,699,339 
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE                                                                   
Net Assets                                                                                  
   Class I                                        $184,680,077   $117,878,292   $ 6,341,453 
   Class II                                          5,802,746        645,908     3,011,041
   Class III                                        41,334,401      2,967,509     2,238,466
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
Shares outstanding of $.001 par value capital                                               
   stock, unlimited shares authorized                                                       
   Class I                                          12,447,014     11,921,143       638,094
   Class II                                            390,942         65,482       302,318
   Class III                                         2,787,662        300,751       224,944
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value and redemption price per                                                           
  share                                                                                            
   Class I                                              $14.84          $9.89         $9.94
   Class II                                              14.84           9.86          9.96
   Class III                                             14.83           9.87          9.95
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
Maximum offering price per share                                                                   
   Class I (no sales charge)                            $14.84          $9.89         $9.94
   Class II (net asset value plus maximum                                                        
      sales charge of 5.75%, 3.75% and 3.75%                                                     
       of offering price, respectively)                  15.75          10.24         10.35
   Class III (no sales charge)                           14.83           9.87          9.95
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES         
December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)    
<TABLE>
                                        U.S. TREASURY  U.S. GOVERNMENT  MUNICIPAL       CASH
                                        MONEY MARKET     MONEY MARKET  MONEY MARKET    RESERVE
                                         PORTFOLIO        PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>              <C>           <C>           <C>
ASSETS:
Investments, at value (1)(Note 1)       $106,326,844     $97,073,010   $83,671,411   $47,103,043
Cash                                             767             390             0           189
Interest receivable                          654,241         618,122       407,863        93,575
Registration and organization costs              592           1,742           334             0
Other assets                                   7,307           7,225         7,503         3,201
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
       Total assets                      106,989,751      97,700,489    84,087,111    47,200,008
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES:
Dividends payable                            472,323         417,345       252,623       198,378
Accrued management fee                         9,109           8,415         7,710         4,197
Accrued administration fee                     7,297           6,303         5,771         3,143
Accrued co-administration fee                  2,458           2,148         2,088         1,056
Accrued 12b-1 fee                              1,610             698           661         6,643
Other payables and accrued expenses           37,798          33,226        16,866        21,852
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
       Total liabilities                     530,595         468,135       285,719       235,269
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                              $106,459,156     $97,232,354   $83,801,392   $46,964,739
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid in capital                         $106,466,072     $97,239,256   $83,804,405   $46,964,677
Accumulated net realized gain(loss) on 
  investments                                 (6,916)         (6,902)       (3,013)           62
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                              $106,459,156     $97,232,354   $83,801,392   $46,964,739
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, offering price and
    redemption price per share (2)             $1.00           $1.00         $1.00         $1.00
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Including repurchase agreements for the U.S. Treasury Money Market, U.S. 
    Government Money Market, Municipal Money Market, and Cash Reserve Portfolios
    in the amounts of $47,427,000, $12,160,000, $0 and $6,394,000 respectively. 

(2)                                                     Shares Outstanding
                                          Net      ($.001 par value, unlimited
                                         Assets         shares authorized)
                                         ------         ------------------
     U.S. Treasury Money Market
        Class I                      $ 103,095,057         103,101,758
        Class III                        3,364,099           3,364,314
     U.S. Government Money Market
        Class I                         95,989,963          95,996,828
        Class III                        1,242,391           1,242,428
     Municipal Money Market 
        Class I                         80,799,860          80,802,895
        Class III                        3,001,532           3,001,510
     Cash Reserve
        Class I                         17,849,077          17,848,948
        Class III                       29,115,662          29,115,729

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six-Months Ended December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)  
<TABLE>
                                           GROWTH & INCOME    BOND     TENNESSEE TAX-FREE
                                              PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO       PORTFOLIO
                                           ----------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>              <C>        <C>                
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends                                    $ 1,764,059    $        0       $      0
Interest                                         556,557     3,893,943        262,204
                                           ----------------------------------------------
       Total investment income                 2,320,616     3,893,943        262,204
                                           ----------------------------------------------
EXPENSES:                                   
Management fee (Note 3)                          693,590       326,088         25,569
Administration fee (Note 4)                      160,059        88,933          7,671
Co-administration fee                             53,353        29,644          2,557
Fund accounting/Transfer agent fee:                         
   Class I                                        50,529        37,626          4,935
   Class II                                        2,494           248          2,350
   Class III                                      34,709         2,490          1,212
Blue Sky fee:                               
   Class I                                         1,999           704            605
   Class II                                           24            95            606
   Class III                                       2,082           118            605
Distribution fee:                          
   Class III                                     144,682        11,872          3,409
Shareholder servicing fee:               
   Class II                                        4,455           344              0
   Class III                                      48,227         3,957              0
Custodian fee                                     27,077        13,595          2,296
Trustees fee                                       5,947         3,490            527
Registration fee                                       0         1,423          1,012
Audit                                              7,908         6,490         12,156
Legal                                              6,140         2,031            293
Reports to Shareholders                           10,159           860            286
Miscellaneous                                     23,560        17,897          1,145
                                           ----------------------------------------------
       Total expenses before waiver            1,276,994       547,905         67,234
Waiver of expenses (Note 5)                     (160,059)     (237,155)       (35,797)
Fees reimbursed by administrator                       0             0        (29,686)
Custodian fees paid indirectly                      (528)         (701)          (383)
                                           ----------------------------------------------
   Net expenses                                1,116,407       310,049          1,368
                                           ----------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME                          1,204,209     3,583,894        260,836
                                           ----------------------------------------------
Net realized gain(loss) on investments         5,141,132       681,573        (31,902)
Change in net unrealized appreciation/
   depreciation                               17,621,163     1,297,893        260,405
                                           ----------------------------------------------
Net gain on investments                       22,762,295     1,979,466        228,503
                                           ----------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS   $23,966,504    $5,563,360       $489,339
                                           ----------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------11
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS        
For the Six-Months Ended December 31, 1996 (Unaudited)                
<TABLE>
                                        U.S. TREASURY  U.S. GOVERNMENT  MUNICIPAL       CASH
                                        MONEY MARKET     MONEY MARKET  MONEY MARKET    RESERVE
                                         PORTFOLIO        PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>              <C>           <C>           <C>
INTEREST INCOME                           $2,697,029     $2,559,052    $1,468,407    $1,258,509
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES:
Management fee (Note 3)                      125,662        117,645       102,024        57,268
Administration fee (Note 4)                   37,699         35,293        30,607        17,180
Co-administration fee                         25,132         23,529        20,405        11,454
Fund accounting/Transfer agent fee
   Class I                                    22,319         22,496        23,458         7,893
   Class III                                     921            280           980         9,787
Blue sky fee:
   Class I                                     2,318          2,511         2,465         1,300
   Class III                                     435            206           403         1,088
Distribution fee:
   Class III                                   3,810          1,155         3,806        34,530
Custodian fee                                 22,437         15,382         6,950        11,311
Trustees fee                                   2,613          3,019         2,252         1,154
Amortization of organization costs             3,828          4,726         3,539             0
Registration fee                                   0              0             0         2,945
Audit                                         10,089         11,900         7,451         4,329
Legal                                          2,761          3,220         1,489         1,169
Reports to shareholders                        3,441          4,086         2,128         1,638
Miscellaneous                                  5,311          4,973         5,623         3,451
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
   Total expenses before waiver              268,776        250,421       213,580       166,497
Waiver of expenses (Note 5)                  (87,964)       (82,351)      (71,417)      (40,088)
Custodian fees paid indirectly                (1,190)        (1,724)       (1,334)         (556)
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
   Net expenses                              179,622        166,346       140,829       125,853
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME                      2,517,407      2,392,706     1,327,578     1,132,656
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
Net realized loss on investments              (2,971)        (4,324)            0             0
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM 
   OPERATIONS                             $2,514,436     $2,388,382    $1,327,578    $1,132,656
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                        --------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS                           
<TABLE>
                                         GROWTH & INCOME                   BOND                   TENNESSEE TAX-FREE      
                                            PORTFOLIO                    PORTFOLIO                    PORTFOLIO           
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Six Months                     Six Months                  Six Months                  
                                     Ended                         Ended                       Ended           For the    
                                  December 31,     Year Ended    December 31,   Year Ended   December 31,    Period From  
                                      1996          June 30,        1996          June 30,      1996      December 15, 1995
                                  (Unaudited)         1996       (Unaudited)        1996     (Unaudited)  to June 30, 1996  
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>              <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>            
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS:                                                                                                    
OPERATIONS:                                                                                                                
  Net investment income           $  1,204,209   $  1,980,877   $  3,583,894   $  6,115,145   $   260,836   $  109,242   
  Net realized gain (loss) on                                                                                            
    investments                      5,141,132     13,237,842        681,573        423,779       (31,902)      (7,688)  
  Change in net unrealized                                                                                               
    appreciation/depreciation       17,621,163     19,574,675      1,297,893     (2,870,969)      260,405     (153,211)  
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase (decrease) in                                                                                             
    net assets from operations      23,966,504     34,793,394      5,563,360      3,667,955       489,339      (51,657)  
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS:                                                                                                           
Net investment income:                                                                                                   
  Class I                           (1,164,401)    (1,889,477)    (3,497,311)    (5,960,426)     (167,092)     (79,345)  
  Class II                             (17,039)        (3,654)        (7,968)          (818)      (59,012)     (14,474)  
  Class III                            (52,502)      (136,801)       (78,615)      (154,608)      (34,737)     (15,423)  
Net realized gain:                                                                                                       
  Class I                           (9,941,252)    (6,655,167)             0              0             0            0   
  Class II                            (308,554)          (250)             0              0             0            0   
  Class III                         (2,213,869)    (1,542,598)             0              0             0            0   
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease in net assets                                                                                               
  from distributions               (13,697,617)   (10,227,947)    (3,583,894)    (6,115,852)     (260,841)    (109,242)  
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 2):                                                                                             
  Proceeds from sales of shares     19,288,719     50,948,844      9,103,689     23,774,506     5,993,026    9,584,335   
  Reinvested dividends              13,003,556      9,854,367      2,742,562      5,846,105        65,549       24,578   
  Cost of shares redeemed           (8,699,765)   (20,775,834)    (3,678,110)    (8,318,523)   (3,392,418)    (751,709)  
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net increase in net assets                                                                                             
    from share transactions         23,592,510     40,027,377      8,168,141     21,302,088     2,666,157    8,857,204   
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total increase in net assets  33,861,397     64,592,824     10,147,607     18,854,191     2,894,655    8,696,305   
NET ASSETS:                                                                                                              
  Beginning of period              197,955,827    133,363,003    111,344,102     92,489,911     8,696,305            0   
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  End of period*                  $231,817,224   $197,955,827   $121,491,709   $111,344,102   $11,590,960   $8,696,305   
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Includes over-distributed                                                                                               
   net investment income of       $    (29,733)  $          0   $    (36,367)  $    (36,367)  $        (5)  $        0   
</TABLE>
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------13
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS                           
<TABLE>
                                               U.S. TREASURY                    U.S. GOVERNMENT        
                                          MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO            MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO     
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       Six Months                        Six Months                    
                                          Ended                            Ended                       
                                       December 31,     Year Ended       December 31,     Year Ended   
                                           1996          June 30,           1996            June 30,   
                                       (Unaudited)         1996          (Unaudited)          1996     
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>           
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:                                                                   
OPERATIONS:                                                                                          
    Net investment income               $   2,517,407   $   4,346,582   $ 2,392,706   $   5,109,635  
    Net realized loss on investments           (2,971)         (6,105)       (4,324)         (2,691) 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Net increase in net assets from                                                                  
      operations                            2,514,436       4,340,477     2,388,382       5,106,944  
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
DISTRIBUTIONS:                                                                                       
Net investment income                                                                                
      Class I                              (2,445,867)     (4,239,680)   (2,370,663)     (5,104,189) 
      Class III                               (71,540)       (106,902)      (22,043)         (5,446) 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
Net decrease in net assets from                                                                      
      distributions                        (2,517,407)     (4,346,582)   (2,392,706)     (5,109,635) 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
SHARE TRANSACTIONS AT NET ASSET VALUE                                                                 
OF $1.00 PER SHARE (NOTE 2):                                                                          
    Proceeds from sales of shares         236,839,918     328,560,842    75,265,142     174,127,519    
    Reinvested dividends                       71,596          87,904        15,413          10,490    
    Cost of shares redeemed              (209,680,908)   (316,787,797)  (66,382,764)   (173,853,608)   
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Net increase in net assets                                                                         
      from share transactions              27,230,606      11,860,949     8,897,791         284,401    
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
         Total increase in net assets      27,227,635      11,854,844     8,893,467         281,710    
NET ASSETS:                                                                                            
    Beginning of period                    79,231,521      67,376,677    88,338,887      88,057,177    
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
    End of period                       $ 106,459,156   $  79,231,521  $ 97,232,354   $  88,338,887    
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.   
14-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS                          
<TABLE>                
                                                           MUNICIPAL                      CASH RESERVE         
                                                    MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO                  PORTFOLIO            
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                 Six Months                        Six Months                    
                                                    Ended                            Ended                       
                                                 December 31,     Year Ended       December 31,     Year Ended   
                                                     1996          June 30,           1996            June 30,   
                                                 (Unaudited)         1996         (Unaudited)          1996    
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                              <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>           
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:                                                                              
OPERATIONS:                                                                                                     
  Net investment income                         $ 1,327,578      $  3,375,450    $  1,132,656      $  1,420,633 
  Net realized loss on investments                        0                 0               0               (26)
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase in net assets from 
     operations                                   1,327,578         3,375,450       1,132,656         1,420,607
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
DISTRIBUTIONS:
Net investment income    
   Class I                                       (1,282,142)       (3,296,898)       (462,175)         (853,244)
   Class III                                        (45,436)          (78,552)       (670,481)         (567,389)
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
Net decrease in net assets from
     distributions                               (1,327,578)       (3,375,450)     (1,132,656)       (1,420,633)
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
SHARE TRANSACTIONS AT NET ASSET VALUE 
OF $1.00 PER SHARE (NOTE 2):
  Proceeds from sales of shares                  72,063,182       148,776,685      54,933,771        82,609,913
  Reinvested dividends                               45,249            70,601         629,919           478,625
  Cost of shares redeemed                       (62,877,230)     (168,355,382)    (49,158,531)      (57,988,532)
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets 
   from share transactions                        9,231,201       (19,508,096)      6,405,159        25,100,006
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
       Total increase (decrease) in net assets    9,231,201       (19,508,096)      6,405,159        25,099,980
NET ASSETS:
  Beginning of period                            74,570,191        94,078,287      40,559,580        15,459,600
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
  End of period                                $ 83,801,392      $ 74,570,191    $ 46,964,739      $ 40,559,580
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------15

<PAGE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO

<TABLE>
                                                               CLASS I                       
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
                                         For the Six Months
                                          Ended December 31,          For the Year
                                              (Unaudited)             Ended June 30,
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
                                                 1996           1996       1995      1994**  
                                                 ----           ----       ----      ------  
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>       <C>        <C>     
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA
Net asset value, beginning of period            $14.12         $12.22     $10.53     $10.00  
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income                             0.10           0.19       0.23       0.17  
Net realized and unrealized gain
 (loss) on investments                            1.56           2.58       2.21       0.57  
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Total from investment operations                  1.66           2.77       2.44       0.74  
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Distributions: 
Net investment income                            (0.10)         (0.19)     (0.23)     (0.17) 
Net realized gain                                (0.84)         (0.68)     (0.52)     (0.04) 
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Total distributions                              (0.94)         (0.87)     (0.75)     (0.21) 
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Net asset value, end of period                  $14.84         $14.12     $12.22     $10.53  
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
TOTAL RETURN+                                    11.71%#        23.54%     24.20%      7.39%#

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (thousands)         $184,680       $159,146   $114,000    $82,751 
Ratio of expenses to average daily
 net assets(1)                                    0.83%*         0.76%      0.47%      0.34%*
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets                               1.33%*         1.40%      2.12%      1.83%*
Portfolio turnover rate                             15%            41%        33%        83%*
Average commission rate ^                       0.0607            n/a        n/a        n/a 

(1) During the period, various fees
    were waived.  The ratio of expenses
    to average net assets had such
    waivers not occurred is as follows.           0.98%*         1.00%      0.99%      1.05%*
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
                                                  CLASS II                          CLASS III                
                                        ------------------------  -------------------------------------------
                                        For the Six               For the Six                                
                                        Months Ended   For the    Months Ended             For the           
                                        December 31,  Year Ended  December 31,           Year Ended          
                                        (Unaudited)    June 30,   (Unaudited)             June 30,           
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1996        1996**        1996       1996       1995      1994**
                                            ----        ------        ----       ----       ----      ------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA
Net asset value, beginning of period       $14.12       $13.05       $14.11     $12.23     $10.51     $10.60
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income                        0.06         0.09         0.02       0.03       0.06       0.06
Net realized and unrealized gain
 (loss) on investments                       1.57         1.74         1.56       2.60       2.24      (0.05)
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations             1.63         1.83         1.58       2.63       2.30       0.01
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
Net investment income                       (0.07)       (0.08)       (0.02)     (0.07)     (0.06)     (0.06)
Net realized gain                           (0.84)       (0.68)       (0.84)     (0.68)     (0.52)     (0.04)
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions                         (0.91)       (0.76)       (0.86)     (0.75)     (0.58)     (0.10)
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period             $14.84       $14.12       $14.83     $14.11     $12.23     $10.51
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN+                               11.48%#      14.71%#      11.10%#    22.19%     22.61%      0.08%#

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (thousands)      $5,803       $1,918      $41,334    $36,892    $19,363     $2,094
Ratio of expenses to average daily
 net assets(1)                               1.15%*       1.06%*       1.95%*     1.87%      1.72%      1.83%*
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets                          1.00%*       1.10%*       0.21%*     0.29%      0.87%      0.34%*
Portfolio turnover rate                        15%          41%          15%        41%        33%        83%*
Average commission rate ^                  0.0607          n/a       0.0607        n/a        n/a        n/a

(1) During the period, various fees
    were waived.  The ratio of expenses
    to average net assets had such
    waivers not occurred is as follows.      1.30%*       1.30%*       2.10%*     2.11%      2.26%      6.03%*
</TABLE>

^   For fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995, a fund that
    invests more than 10% of the value of its average net assets in equity
    securities is required to disclose its average commission rate per share
    for security trades on which commissions are charged.
*   Annualized.
**  Classes I, II and III commenced operations on August 2, 1993, December 20,
    1995 and December 9, 1993, respectively.
+   Total return would have been lower had various fees not been waived during
    the period.
#   Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
BOND PORTFOLIO

<TABLE>
                                                               CLASS I                       
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
                                         For the Six Months
                                          Ended December 31,          For the Year
                                              (Unaudited)             Ended June 30,
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
                                                 1996           1996       1995      1994**  
                                                 ----           ----       ----      ------  
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>       <C>        <C>     
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA
Net asset value, beginning of period             $9.73          $9.91      $9.41     $10.00  
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income                             0.30           0.60       0.57       0.45  
Net realized and unrealized gain
 (loss) on investments                            0.16          (0.18)      0.50      (0.57) 
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Total from investment operations                  0.46           0.42       1.07      (0.12) 
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Distributions:
Net investment income                            (0.30)         (0.60)     (0.57)     (0.46) 
Net realized gain                                   -              -          -       (0.01) 
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Total distributions                              (0.30)         (0.60)     (0.57)     (0.47) 
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
Net asset value, end of period                   $9.89          $9.73      $9.91      $9.41  
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
                                        ---------------------------------------------------- 
TOTAL RETURN+                                     4.79%#         4.23%     11.87%     (1.38)%#
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (thousands)         $117,878       $107,832    $90,574    $75,686 
Ratio of expenses to average daily 
 net assets(1)                                    0.49%*         0.41%      0.35%      0.36%*
Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets                            6.07%*         5.99%      6.07%      5.07%*
Portfolio turnover rate                             29%            56%        23%        36%*

(1) During the period, various fees
    were waived.  The ratio of expenses
    to average net assets had such
    waivers not occurred is as follows.           0.89%*         0.91%      0.91%      0.96%*
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
                                                  CLASS II                          CLASS III
                                        ------------------------  -------------------------------------------
                                        For the Six               For the Six    
                                        Months Ended   For the    Months Ended             For the
                                        December 31,  Year Ended  December 31,           Year Ended
                                        (Unaudited)    June 30,   (Unaudited)             June 30,
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1996        1996**        1996       1996       1995      1994**
                                            ----        ------        ----       ----       ----      ------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA
Net asset value, beginning of period        $9.71       $10.18        $9.71      $9.89      $9.40     $10.04
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income                        0.28         0.29         0.25       0.49       0.43       0.21
Net realized and unrealized gain
 (loss) on investments                       0.15        (0.47)        0.16      (0.18)      0.49      (0.62)
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations             0.43        (0.18)        0.41       0.31       0.92      (0.41)
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
Net investment income                       (0.28)       (0.29)       (0.25)     (0.49)     (0.43)     (0.22)
Net realized gain                              -            -            -          -          -       (0.01)
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions                         (0.28)       (0.29)       (0.25)     (0.49)     (0.43)     (0.23)
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period              $9.86        $9.71        $9.87      $9.71      $9.89      $9.40
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN+                                4.52%#      (1.75)%#      4.22%#     3.11%     10.12%     (4.19)%#

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (thousands)        $646          $67       $2,968     $3,445     $1,916       $923
Ratio of expenses to average daily
 net assets(1)                               0.91%*       0.80%*       1.59%*     1.49%      1.84%      1.82%*
Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets                       5.65%*       5.61%*       4.97%*     4.92%      4.58%      3.61%*
Portfolio turnover rate                        29%          56%          29%        56%        23%        36%*

(1) During the period, various fees
    were waived.  The ratio of expenses
    to average net assets had such
    waivers not occurred is as follows.      1.31%*       1.30%*      1.99%*      1.99%      3.35%      6.36%*
</TABLE>

*   Annualized.
**  Classes I, II and III commenced operations on August 2, 1993, December 20,
    1995 and December 2, 1993, respectively.
+   Total return would have been lower had various fees not been waived during
    the period.
#   Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17

<PAGE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIO

<TABLE>
                                                  CLASS I                 CLASS II                 CLASS III          
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                        For the Six               For the Six                For the Six              
                                        Months Ended    For the   Months Ended    For the    Months Ended   For the   
                                        December 31,  Year Ended   December 31,  Year Ended  December 31,  Year Ended 
                                        (Unaudited)     June 30,   (Unaudited)    June 30,   (Unaudited)    June 30,  
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                           1996        1996**        1996         1996**        1996        1996**    
                                           ----        ------        ----         ------        ----        ------    
<S>                                        <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>       
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA
Net asset value, beginning of period       $9.71       $10.00        $9.73        $10.06        $9.72       $10.00
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Income from investment operations:
Net investment income                       0.25         0.23         0.25          0.21         0.25         0.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
 on investments                             0.23        (0.29)        0.23         (0.33)        0.23        (0.28)
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations            0.48        (0.06)        0.48         (0.12)        0.48        (0.09)
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
Net investment income                      (0.25)       (0.23)       (0.25)        (0.21)       (0.25)       (0.19)
Net realized gain                             -            -            -             -            -            -
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions                        (0.25)       (0.23)       (0.25)        (0.21)       (0.25)       (0.19)
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period             $9.94        $9.71        $9.96         $9.73        $9.95        $9.72
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN+                               5.03%#      (0.65)%#      5.13%#       (1.25)%#      5.01%#      (0.87)%#

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (thousands)     $6,341       $5,925       $3,011        $1,875       $2,238         $896
Ratio of expenses to average daily
 net assets(1)                              0.02%*       0.50%*       0.02%*        0.49%*       0.02%*       0.98%*
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets                         2.89%*       4.31%*       2.89%*        4.32%*       2.89%*       3.83%*
Portfolio turnover rate                       70%           8%*         70%            8%*         70%           8%*

(1) During the period, various fees were
    waived.  The ratio of expenses to
    average net assets had such waivers
    not occurred is as follows.            0.69%*        1.42%*       0.74%*        1.42%*       1.03%*       1.91%*
</TABLE>

*   Annualized.
**  Class I and III commenced operations on December 15, 1995. Class II
    commenced operations on December 29, 1995.
+   Total return would have been lower had various fees not been waived during
    the period.
#   Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
U.S. TREASURY MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO

<TABLE>
                                                                  CLASS I                                    CLASS III
                                       ---------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
                                       For the Six                                                For the Six
                                       Months Ended                                               Months Ended
                                       December 31,                  For the Year                  December 31,   For the Year
                                       (Unaudited)                  Ended June 30,                 (Unaudited)   Ended June 30,
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           1996        1996        1995        1994       1993**       1996         1996**
                                           ----        ----        ----        ----       ------       ----         ------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA                                                                                                        
Net asset value, beginning of period       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00      $1.00          $1.00
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:                                                                               
Net investment income                      0.025       0.052       0.050       0.030       0.018      0.024          0.044
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:                                                                                                   
Net investment income                     (0.025)     (0.052)     (0.050)     (0.030)     (0.018)    (0.024)        (0.044)
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period             $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00      $1.00          $1.00
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN+                               2.55%#      5.30%       5.10%       3.06%       1.76%#     2.40%#         4.47%#
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA                                                                                     
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   $103,095     $75,703     $67,377    $100,868     $59,326     $3,364         $3,528
Ratio of expenses to average                                                                                     
 net assets (1)                             0.35%*      0.36%       0.36%       0.33%       0.39%*     0.64%*         0.62%*
Ratio of net investment income                                                                                   
 to average  net assets                     5.02%*      5.19%       5.00%       3.04%       2.73%*     4.73%*         4.93%*
                                                                                                                 
(1) During the period, various fees                                                                              
    were waived.  The ratio of expenses                                                                          
    to average net assets had such                                                                               
    waivers not occurred is as follows.     0.53%*      0.56%       0.63%       0.60%       0.65%*     0.82%*         0.82%*
</TABLE>

*   Annualized.
**  Classes I and III commenced operations on November 12, 1992 and August 8,
    1995, respectively.
+   Total return would have been lower had various fees not been waived during
    the period.
#   Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19

<PAGE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
<TABLE>
                                                                         CLASS I                                  CLASS III
                                               -------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
                                                For the Six                                             For the Six
                                                Months Ended                                            Months Ended
                                                December 31,                For the Year                December 31,  For the Year
                                                (Unaudited)                 Ended June 30,              (Unaudited)   Ended June 30,
                                               -------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
                                                    1996       1996        1995       1994      1993**      1996          1996**
                                                    ----       ----        ----       ----      ------      ----          ------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
SELECTED PER - SHARE DATA
Net asset value, beginning of period               $1.00      $1.00       $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00          $1.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income                              0.026      0.053       0.053      0.032      0.019      0.024          0.044
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
Net investment income                             (0.026)    (0.053)     (0.053)    (0.032)    (0.019)    (0.024)        (0.044)
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period                     $1.00      $1.00       $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00          $1.00
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN+                                      2.59%#     5.37%       5.39%      3.23%      1.87%#     2.44%#          4.49%#

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (thousands)           $95,990    $88,111     $88,057    $67,854    $94,903     $1,242            $228
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (1)        0.35%*     0.33%       0.31%      0.28%      0.27%*     0.65%*         0.65%*
Ratio of net investment income to average 
   net assets                                      5.09%*     5.28%       5.27%      3.18%      2.98%*     4.79%*         4.96%*

(1)  During the period, various fees were 
     waived.  The ratio of expenses to average 
     net assets had  such waivers not occurred 
     is as follows.                                0.53%*     0.53%       0.58%      0.55%      0.55%*     0.83%*         0.85%*

 *  Annualized.
**  Classes I and III commenced operations on November 12, 1992 and August 8,
    1995, respectively.
+   Total return would have been lower had various fees not been waived during
    the period.
#   Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.








                             The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
20 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
<TABLE>
                                                                         CLASS I                                  CLASS III
                                               -------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
                                                For the Six                                             For the Six
                                                Months Ended                                            Months Ended
                                                December 31,                For the Year                December 31,  For the Year
                                                (Unaudited)                 Ended June 30,              (Unaudited)   Ended June 30,
                                               -------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
                                                    1996       1996        1995       1994      1993**      1996          1996**
                                                    ----       ----        ----       ----      ------      ----          ------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>
SELECTED PER - SHARE DATA
Net asset value, beginning of period               $1.00      $1.00       $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00          $1.00
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income                              0.016      0.035       0.034      0.024      0.014      0.015          0.030
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
Net investment income                             (0.016)    (0.035)     (0.034)    (0.024)    (0.014)    (0.015)        (0.030)
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period                     $1.00      $1.00       $1.00      $1.00      $1.00      $1.00          $1.00
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL RETURN+                                       1.66%#     3.52%       3.48%      2.40%      1.40%#     1.51%#         3.03%#

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (thousands)            $80,800    $71,665     $94,078    $76,231    $74,362     $3,002         $2,905
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (1)         0.33%*     0.32%       0.30%      0.28%      0.31%*     0.61%*         0.58%*
Ratio of net investment income to average  
   net assets                                       3.26%*     3.50%       3.44%      2.39%      2.26%*     2.99%*         3.24%*

(1)  During the period, various fees were 
     waived. The ratio of expenses to average 
     net assets had such waivers not occurred
     is as follows.                                 0.51%*     0.52%       0.57%      0.55%      0.58%*     0.79%*         0.78%*

 *  Annualized.
**  Classes I and III commenced operations on November 12, 1992 and July 28,
    1995, respectively.
+   Total return would have been lower had various fees not been waived during
    the period.
#   Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.











                             The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
CASH RESERVE PORTFOLIO
<TABLE>
                                                                 CLASS I                          CLASS III
                                              ---------------------------------------- -----------------------------
                                               For the Six                              For the Six
                                               Months Ended                             Months Ended
                                               December 31,        For the Year          December 31, For the Year
                                               (Unaudited)         Ended June 30,        (Unaudited)  Ended June 30,
                                              ---------------------------------------- -----------------------------
                                                    1996         1996         1995**         1996          1996**
                                                    ----         ----         ------         ----          ------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
SELECTED PER - SHARE DATA
Net asset value, beginning of period               $1.00        $1.00        $1.00          $1.00         $1.00
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income                              0.025        0.053        0.042          0.024         0.047
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
Net investment income                             (0.025)      (0.053)      (0.042)        (0.024)       (0.047)
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period                     $1.00        $1.00        $1.00          $1.00         $1.00
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL RETURN+                                       2.58%        5.39%        4.27%#         2.47%         4.78%#

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (thousands)            $17,849      $16,369      $15,460        $29,116       $24,190
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (1)         0.41%*       0.42%        0.43%*         0.64%*        0.62%*
Ratio of net investment income to average net
  assets                                            5.08%*       5.22%        5.48%*         4.86%*        5.02%*

(1)  During the period, various fees were 
     waived. The ratio of expenses to average 
     net assets had such waivers not occurred 
     is as follows.                                 0.59%*       0.61%        0.70%*         0.82%*        0.81%*
   
 *  Annualized.
**  Classes I and III commenced operations on September 26, 1994 and July 28,
    1995, respectively.
+   Total return would have been lower had various fees not been waived during
    the period.
#   Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.







                   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
22 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND OPERATING POLICIES

First Funds (the Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 
1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-ended management investment 
company organized as a Massachusetts business trust by a Declaration of Trust 
dated March 6, 1992, as amended and restated on September 4, 1992. 

The Trust currently has seven active investment portfolios (each referred to 
as a "Portfolio").  The Trust's financial statements are prepared in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This requires 
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts 
of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities 
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues 
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from 
these estimates. 

The following summarizes the significant accounting policies for the Trust.

Each Portfolio may offer three classes of shares (Class I, Class II and Class 
III).  As of December 31, 1996, Class II shares have been issued only for the 
Growth & Income (formerly Total Return Equity), Bond (formerly Total Return 
Fixed Income), and Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolios. Class I and Class III 
shares have been issued for all Portfolios. Each Class of shares has equal 
rights as to earnings, assets and voting privileges except that each Class 
bears different distribution, shareholder service, transfer agent and blue 
sky expenses. Each Class has exclusive voting rights with respect to its 
Distribution Plans and Shareholder Servicing Plans. Income, expenses (other 
than expenses incurred under each Class Distribution and Service Plans and 
other class specific expenses) and realized and unrealized gains or losses on 
investments are allocated to each Class of shares based upon their relative 
net assets or dividend assets.

SECURITY VALUATION:  

GROWTH & INCOME, BOND AND TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIOS:  Securities held in 
the Growth & Income Portfolio for which exchange quotations are readily 
available are valued at the last sale price, or if no sale price or if traded 
on the over-the-counter market, at the closing bid price.  Securities held in 
the Bond and Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolios are valued based upon a 
computerized matrix system and/or appraisals by a pricing service, both of 
which consider market transactions and dealer-supplied valuations.  
Securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued using 
dealer-supplied valuations or at the fair value as determined in good faith 
under consistently applied procedures under the general supervision of the 
Board of Trustees.  Short-term securities maturing within sixty days are 
valued at amortized cost or original cost plus accrued interest, both of 
which approximate current value.

MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIOS:  Each of the Money Market Portfolios values 
securities utilizing the amortized cost method of valuation under Rule 2a-7 
of the 1940 Act, pursuant to which each Money Market Portfolio must adhere to 
certain conditions.  Under this method, investments are valued initially at 
cost and thereafter assume a constant amortization to maturity of any 
discount or premium.

ORGANIZATIONAL COSTS:  Costs incurred by the Trust in connection with its 
initial share registration were deferred and are being amortized on a 
straight-line basis over 5 years.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS:  Each Portfolio, through its custodian, receives 
delivery of  underlying securities, whose market value, including interest, 
is required to be at least equal to 102% of the resale price. The Trust's 
sub-advisers, under the supervision of the investment adviser, Garland 
Capital Management (Garland), are responsible for determining that the value 
of these underlying securities remains at least equal to 102% of the resale 
price. If the seller defaults, each Portfolio would suffer a loss to the 
extent that the proceeds from the sale of  the underlying securities were 
less than the repurchase price.

OPTIONS CONTRACTS:  Each of the Growth & Income and Bond Portfolios may 
purchase or write options contracts to manage their exposure to changing 
interest rates and security prices.  Options involve to varying degrees, 
elements of market risk and risks possibly in excess of the amount recognized 
in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.  Risks may be caused by an 
imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the instruments and 
the price of the underlying securities and interest rates.  Risks also may 
arise if there is an illiquid secondary market for the instruments, or due to 
the inability of counterparties to perform.  The risk of loss from purchasing 
options is limited to initial amounts invested, while the risk of loss from 
writing options may be unlimited.

INCOME TAXES:  As a qualified regulated investment company under Subchapter M 
of the Internal Revenue Code, each Portfolio is not subject to income taxes 
to the extent that it distributes all of its taxable income for its fiscal 
year.

INTEREST INCOME:  Interest income, which includes amortization of premium and 
accretion of discount, is accrued as earned.  For the Municipal Money Market 
Portfolio, accretion of market discount represents unrealized gain until 
realized at the time of security disposition or maturity.   Dividend income 
is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

EXPENSES:  Most expenses of the Trust can be directly attributed to a 
Portfolio. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among 
the Portfolios based on average net assets. For the six months ended December 
31, 1996, total Trust expenses were reduced $6,416 under expense offset 
arrangements with the Custodian. The Trust could have invested a portion of 
the assets utilized in connection with the offset arrangements in an income 
producing asset.  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:  For Bond Portfolio and Tennessee Tax-Free 
Portfolio, distributions are declared daily and paid monthly from net 
investment income. Distributions for Growth & Income Portfolio are declared 
and paid monthly.  For the Money Market Portfolios, distributions are 
declared daily and paid monthly from net investment income.  Any net capital 
gains earned by each Portfolio are normally distributed to the extent 
necessary to avoid federal income and excise taxes.  

Income and capital gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with 
income tax regulations which may differ from income and gains reported under 
generally accepted accounting principles. 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND OPERATING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

OTHER:  Investment security transactions are accounted for as of trade date. 
Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are determined using 
the identified cost basis for both financial reporting and income tax purposes

2.  SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST 
<TABLE>
                                         GROWTH & INCOME                       BOND                      TENNESSEE TAX-FREE      
                                            PORTFOLIO                        PORTFOLIO                       PORTFOLIO           
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                  Six Months                        Six Months                       Six Months                  
                                     Ended                            Ended                            Ended                     
                                  December 31,     Year Ended       December 31,     Year Ended      December 31,     Year Ended 
                                      1996          June 30,           1996            June 30,         1996           June 30,  
                                  (Unaudited)         1996          (Unaudited)          1996        (Unaudited)        1996*    
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                               <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>          
Dollars issued and redeemed:
    Class I:
      Issued                      $ 12,123,587     $ 32,703,374     $ 8,461,961     $ 21,362,353     $ 3,213,374     $ 6,254,616 
      Distributions reinvested      10,434,209        8,189,401       2,677,571        5,699,923           6,105             686 
      Redeemed                      (5,340,336)     (15,914,561)     (3,021,279)      (7,447,448)     (2,951,894)       (210,724)
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                    $ 17,217,460     $ 24,978,214     $ 8,118,253     $ 19,614,828     $   267,585     $ 6,044,578 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Class II:**
      Issued                      $  3,603,689     $  1,882,420     $   583,858     $     69,932     $ 1,178,076     $ 1,887,494 
      Distributions reinvested         321,384            3,869           4,664              656          38,064          10,271 
      Redeemed                        (164,754)         (21,582)        (12,444)          (3,000)       (130,809)        (14,693)
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                    $  3,760,319     $  1,864,707     $   576,078     $     67,588     $ 1,085,331     $ 1,883,072 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Class III:      
      Issued                      $  3,561,443     $ 16,363,050     $    57,870     $  2,342,221     $ 1,601,576     $ 1,442,225 
      Distributions reinvested       2,247,963        1,661,097          60,327          145,526          21,380          13,621 
      Redeemed                      (3,194,675)      (4,839,691)       (644,387)        (868,075)       (309,715)       (526,292)
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                    $  2,614,731     $ 13,184,456     $  (526,190)    $  1,619,672     $ 1,313,241     $   929,554 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Shares issued and redeemed:
    Class I:
      Issued                           845,046        2,523,867         872,731        2,117,107         327,081         631,913 
      Distributions reinvested         695,594          645,878         273,174          572,716             620              70 
      Redeemed                        (366,892)      (1,227,208)       (307,304)        (747,397)       (299,723)        (21,867)
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                       1,173,748        1,942,537         838,601        1,942,426          27,978         610,116 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Class II:**
      Issued                           244,725          137,126          59,347            7,145         119,053         193,243 
      Distributions reinvested          21,364              279             471               67           3,853           1,056 
      Redeemed                         (11,005)          (1,547)         (1,253)            (295)        (13,384)         (1,503)
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                         255,084          135,858          58,565            6,917         109,522         192,796 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Class III:
      Issued                          242,653         1,263,416           5,940          234,519         161,813         144,921 
      Distributions reinvested        149,428           131,783           6,175           14,645           2,162           1,390 
      Redeemed                       (218,625)         (363,695)        (66,122)         (88,078)        (31,279)        (54,063)
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                        173,456         1,031,504         (54,007)         161,086         132,696          92,248 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>
*  For Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio, Classes I and III commenced operations on
   December 15, 1995. Class II commenced operations on December 29, 1995.

** For Growth & Income and Bond Portfolios, Class II commenced operations on
   December 20, 1995.

24 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

2.  SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST (CONTINUED) 
<TABLE>
                                               U.S. TREASURY                    U.S. GOVERNMENT        
                                          MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO            MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO     
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       Six Months                        Six Months                    
                                          Ended                            Ended                       
                                       December 31,     Year Ended       December 31,     Year Ended   
                                           1996          June 30,           1996            June 30,   
                                       (Unaudited)         1996*         (Unaudited)          1996*    
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>           
Shares/Dollars issued and redeemed:
    Class I:
      Issued                            233,689,478      319,601,543       72,341,976      173,136,867 
      Distributions reinvested                  882            1,639            1,065            6,070 
      Redeemed                         (206,295,554)    (311,270,747)     (64,460,031)    (173,086,183)
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                           27,394,806        8,332,435        7,883,010           56,754 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Class III:
      Issued                              3,150,440        8,959,299        2,923,166          990,652 
      Distributions reinvested               70,714           86,265           14,348            4,420 
      Redeemed                           (3,385,354)      (5,517,050)      (1,922,733)        (767,425)
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                             (164,200)       3,528,514        1,014,781          227,647 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>
* For U.S. Treasury Money Market and U.S. Government Money Market Portfolios, 
  Class III commenced operations on August 8, 1995.
<TABLE>
                                                 MUNICIPAL                      CASH RESERVE           
                                          MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO                  PORTFOLIO            
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       Six Months                        Six Months                    
                                          Ended                            Ended                       
                                       December 31,     Year Ended       December 31,     Year Ended   
                                           1996          June 30,           1996            June 30,   
                                       (Unaudited)        1996**         (Unaudited)         1996**    
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                    <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>           
Shares/Dollars issued and redeemed:
    Class I:
      Issued                             67,756,953      139,423,634       14,701,349       24,743,027 
      Distributions reinvested                  561            1,090                0                0 
      Redeemed                          (58,622,514)    (161,838,128)     (13,221,664)     (23,833,276)
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                            9,135,000      (22,413,404)       1,479,685          909,751 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Class III:*
      Issued                              4,306,229        9,353,051       40,232,422       57,866,886 
      Distributions reinvested               44,688           69,511          629,919          478,625 
      Redeemed                           (4,254,716)      (6,517,254)     (35,936,867)     (34,155,256)
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Net increase                               96,201        2,905,308        4,925,474       24,190,255 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>
** For Municipal Money Market and Cash Reserve Portfolios, Class III commenced
   operations on July 28, 1995.

3.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

For managing its investment and business affairs, Growth & Income Portfolio, 
Bond Portfolio and Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio each pay First Tennessee Bank 
National Association ('First Tennessee"), a monthly  management fee at the 
annual rate of .65%, .55% and .50% respectively, of its average net assets. 
For managing its investment and business affairs, each of the Money Market 
Portfolios pays First Tennessee its pro-rated portion of a monthly management 
fee at the annual rate of .25% of aggregate average monthly net assets of all 
Money Market Portfolios of the Trust managed by First Tennessee through $1 
billion, and .22% on amounts greater than $1 billion.  Under the Investment 
Advisory and Management Agreement, First Tennessee is authorized, at its own 
expense, to hire sub-advisers to provide investment advice to it and to each 
Portfolio.

For the Growth & Income and Bond Portfolios, Highland Capital Management 
Corp. (Highland) serves as the sub-adviser of each Portfolio pursuant to the 
authority granted to it under its Sub-Advisory Agreement with First 
Tennessee.  Highland is an affiliate of First Tennessee and is a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of First Tennessee National Corporation. Highland is paid by First 
Tennessee a monthly sub-advisory fee at the annual rate of .38% of Growth & 
Income Portfolio's average net assets and .33% of Bond Portfolio's average 
net assets.  For the Money Market Portfolios, PNC Institutional Management 
Corporation (PIMC) serves as the sub-adviser of each Portfolio pursuant to 
the authority granted to it under its Sub-Advisory Agreement with the 
Adviser.  PIMC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNCBank National Association.  
PIMC is paid by the Adviser a monthly sub-advisory fee at the annual rate of 
 .08% of each Portfolio's average net assets through $500 million, .06% of the 
next $500 million, and .05% of net assets greater than $1 billion. 

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<PAGE>
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FIRST FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

4.  ADMINISTRATOR, CO-ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR

ALPS Mutual Funds Services, Inc. serves as Administrator and Distributor for 
the Trust under separate Administration and General Distribution Agreements.  
ALPS' duties include distribution services, providing office space and 
various legal and accounting services in connection with the regulatory 
requirements applicable to each Portfolio.  ALPS is entitled to receive from 
each of the Money Market Portfolios, a fee at the annual rate of .075% of 
average net assets and, from the Growth & Income, Bond and Tennessee Tax-Free 
Portfolios, a fee at the annual rate of .15% of average net assets.

First Tennessee serves as the Co-Administrator for each Portfolio.  As the 
Co-Administrator, First Tennessee assists in each Portfolio's operation, 
including but not limited to, providing non-investment related research and 
statistical data and various operational and administrative services. First 
Tennessee is entitled to receive a fee from each Portfolio at the annual rate 
of .05% of average net assets.

The Trustees have adopted a Distribution Plan on behalf of Class III of each 
Portfolio pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as 
amended. Each Distribution Plan provides for payment of a fee to ALPS at the 
annual rate of .75% of the average net assets of Class III of the Growth & 
Income and Bond Portfolios, .50% of the average net assets of Class III of 
the Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio, and .25% of the average net assets of Class 
III of each of the Money Market Portfolios. The Trustees have also adopted 
Shareholder Servicing Plans on behalf of Class II and III of the Growth & 
Income and Bond Portfolios under which Investment Professionals are paid at 
the annual rate of .25% of each Class' average net assets for shareholder 
services and account maintenance. 

5.  WAIVER OF FEES

GROWTH & INCOME, BOND AND TENNESSEE TAX-FREE PORTFOLIOS:

For the six months ended December 31, 1996, First Tennessee voluntarily 
agreed to waive its management fee for the Growth & Income Portfolio, Bond 
Portfolio and Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio to .50%, .15% and 0% of average 
net assets, respectively. Additionally, for the six months ended December 31, 
1996, First Tennessee voluntarily agreed to waive its co-administration fee 
for the Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio. 

Pursuant to the voluntary waiver agreements , for the six months ended 
December 31, 1996, First Tennessee waived management fees and 
co-administration fees as follows:

                                  MANAGEMENT          CO-ADMINISTRATION  
                                  ----------          ---------------------- 
     Growth & Income              $160,059            $    0 
     Bond                         $237,155            $    0 
     Tennessee Tax-Free           $ 25,569            $2,557 

From inception of the Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio, ALPS voluntarily agreed 
to waive its administration fee. Effective January 1, 1996, ALPS voluntarily 
agreed to reimburse the Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio for fund 
accounting/transfer agent fees as well as Custody out-of-pocket fees. 
Effective July 29, 1996, ALPS voluntarily agreed to assume all Portfolio 
expenses in order to maintain an expense ratio of 0.00% for all Classes of 
the Portfolio. For the six months ended December 31, 1996, ALPS waived fees 
totaling $7,671 and reimbursed the Tennessee Tax-Free Portfolio in the amount 
of $29,686.  

MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIOS:

Effective January 1, 1996, First Tennessee voluntarily agreed to waive a 
portion of its management and co-administration fees payable by each of the 
Money Market Portfolios so that each Money Market Portfolio pays .10% and 
 .025%, respectively, of its average net assets. For the six months ended 
December 31, 1996, the expense waivers were as follows:

                                                                              
                                   MANAGEMENT FEE      CO-ADMINISTRATION FEE  
                                   --------------      ---------------------- 
     U.S. Treasury Money Market    $75,398             $12,566 
     U.S. Government Money Market  $70,587             $11,764 
     Municipal Money Market        $61,215             $10,202 
     Cash Reserve                  $34,361             $ 5,727 

6.  OTHER

As of December 31, 1996, one shareholder owned 37.5% of the Growth & Income 
Portfolio and 56.9% of the Bond Portfolio. Additionally, as of December 31, 
1996, two shareholders owned 35.2% and 10.2% of the U.S. Treasury Money 
Market Portfolio.  

26 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<PAGE>
                                                [LOGO] 370 Seventeenth Street 
                                                       Suite 2700             
                                                       Denver, Colorado 80202 

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND CO-ADMINISTRATOR 

Tennessee Bank National Association 
  Memphis, Tennessee 

SUB-ADVISER - MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIOS 

PNC Institutional Management Corporation 
  Wilmington, Delaware 

SUB-ADVISER - GROWTH & INCOME AND BOND PORTFOLIOS 

Highland Capital Management Corporation 
  Memphis, Tennessee 

OFFICERS 

Richard C. Rantzow, President 
James Hyatt, Secretary 
Mark Pougnet, Treasurer 

TRUSTEES 

Thomas M. Batchelor 
John A. DeCell 
L.R. Jalenak, Jr. 
Larry W. Papasan 
Richard C. Rantzow 

ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR 

ALPS Mutual Funds Services, Inc. 
  Denver, Colorado 

TRANSFER AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT 

Chase Global Funds Services Company 
  Boston, Massachusetts 

CUSTODIAN 

Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
  New York, New York 

NOT FDIC INSURED         [LOGO]                     [LOGO]
                         Investment Advisor         SPONSOR AND DISTRIBUTOR 


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