<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Neuberger Berman Partners Trust Annual Report and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such document.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000906926
<NAME> NEUBERGER BERMAN EQUITY TRUST
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 05
<NAME> NEUBERGER BERMAN PARTNERS TRUST
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 625,235
<RECEIVABLES> 220
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 625,455
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,811
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2,811
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 511,149
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 33,226
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 45,432
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 3,443
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 29,449
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 78,603
<NET-ASSETS> 622,644
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 9,099
<INTEREST-INCOME> 905
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (6,355)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 3,649
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 31,302
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 13,994
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 48,945
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (7,505)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (49,378)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 11,744
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (27,178)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3,228
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (227,464)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 7,351
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 46,100
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 6,355
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 693,050
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 18.71
<PER-SHARE-NII> .13
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.34
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.19)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.25)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 18.74
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .92
</TABLE>
