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<PAGE> PAGE 2
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SIGNATURE PAUL BUCUVALAS
TITLE VICE PRESIDENT
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE FOR FUND PUTNAM TAX-FREE HEALTH CARE FUND
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
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<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
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<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 13,807,168
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (396,808)
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</TABLE>