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<PAGE> PAGE 9
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<PAGE> PAGE 10
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<PAGE> PAGE 12
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<PAGE> PAGE 13
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<PAGE> PAGE 14
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<PAGE> PAGE 16
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<PAGE> PAGE 17
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<PAGE> PAGE 18
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<PAGE> PAGE 19
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<PAGE> PAGE 20
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035 000400 0
036 B000400 0
037 000400 N
038 000400 0
039 000400 N
040 000400 Y
041 000400 Y
042 A000400 0
042 B000400 0
042 C000400 50
042 D000400 50
042 E000400 0
042 F000400 0
042 G000400 0
042 H000400 0
043 000400 89
044 000400 0
045 000400 Y
046 000400 N
047 000400 Y
048 000400 1.000
048 A010400 0
048 A020400 0.000
048 B010400 0
048 B020400 0.000
048 C010400 0
048 C020400 0.000
048 D010400 0
048 D020400 0.000
048 E010400 0
048 E020400 0.000
048 F010400 0
048 F020400 0.000
048 G010400 0
048 G020400 0.000
048 H010400 0
<PAGE> PAGE 22
048 H020400 0.000
048 I010400 0
048 I020400 0.000
048 J010400 0
048 J020400 0.000
048 K010400 0
048 K020400 0.000
049 000400 N
050 000400 N
051 000400 N
052 000400 N
053 A000400 N
054 A000400 N
054 B000400 N
054 C000400 N
054 D000400 N
054 E000400 N
054 F000400 N
054 G000400 N
054 H000400 N
054 I000400 N
054 J000400 N
054 K000400 N
054 L000400 N
054 M000400 N
054 N000400 N
054 O000400 N
055 A000400 N
055 B000400 N
056 000400 Y
057 000400 N
058 A000400 N
059 000400 Y
060 A000400 N
060 B000400 N
061 000400 1000
062 A000400 N
062 B000400 0.0
062 C000400 0.0
062 D000400 0.0
062 E000400 0.0
062 F000400 0.0
062 G000400 0.0
062 H000400 0.0
062 I000400 0.0
062 J000400 0.0
062 K000400 0.0
062 L000400 0.0
062 M000400 0.0
062 N000400 0.0
062 O000400 0.0
<PAGE> PAGE 23
062 P000400 0.0
062 Q000400 0.0
062 R000400 0.0
063 A000400 0
063 B000400 0.0
066 A000400 Y
066 B000400 N
066 C000400 Y
066 D000400 N
066 E000400 N
066 F000400 N
066 G000400 N
067 000400 N
068 A000400 N
068 B000400 N
069 000400 N
070 A010400 Y
070 A020400 N
070 B010400 Y
070 B020400 N
070 C010400 N
070 C020400 N
070 D010400 Y
070 D020400 N
070 E010400 N
070 E020400 N
070 F010400 Y
070 F020400 N
070 G010400 Y
070 G020400 N
070 H010400 Y
070 H020400 N
070 I010400 Y
070 I020400 N
070 J010400 Y
070 J020400 N
070 K010400 Y
070 K020400 Y
070 L010400 Y
070 L020400 N
070 M010400 Y
070 M020400 N
070 N010400 Y
070 N020400 N
070 O010400 N
070 O020400 N
070 P010400 Y
070 P020400 N
070 Q010400 N
070 Q020400 N
070 R010400 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 24
070 R020400 N
071 A000400 53886
071 B000400 39077
071 C000400 82068
071 D000400 46
072 A000400 6
072 B000400 59
072 C000400 926
072 D000400 0
072 E000400 0
072 F000400 615
072 G000400 92
072 H000400 0
072 I000400 37
072 J000400 3
072 K000400 0
072 L000400 11
072 M000400 2
072 N000400 13
072 O000400 0
072 P000400 0
072 Q000400 18
072 R000400 9
072 S000400 9
072 T000400 228
072 U000400 5
072 V000400 0
072 W000400 18
072 X000400 1060
072 Y000400 0
072 Z000400 -76
072AA000400 6956
072BB000400 0
072CC010400 35812
072CC020400 0
072DD010400 0
072DD020400 0
072EE000400 0
073 A010400 0.0000
073 A020400 0.0000
073 B000400 0.0000
073 C000400 0.0000
074 A000400 44174
074 B000400 0
074 C000400 0
074 D000400 0
074 E000400 0
074 F000400 113194
074 G000400 0
074 H000400 0
074 I000400 0
<PAGE> PAGE 25
074 J000400 520
074 K000400 0
074 L000400 64
074 M000400 125
074 N000400 158077
074 O000400 0
074 P000400 201
074 Q000400 0
074 R010400 0
074 R020400 0
074 R030400 0
074 R040400 110
074 S000400 0
074 T000400 157766
074 U010400 4893
074 U020400 1555
074 V010400 24.53
074 V020400 24.27
074 W000400 0.0000
074 X000400 4956
074 Y000400 0
075 A000400 0
075 B000400 123281
076 000400 0.00
080 C000400 0
081 B000400 0
082 B000400 0
083 B000400 0
084 B000400 0
008 A000501 EQUITABLE SECURITIES CORPORATION
008 B000501 A
008 C000501 801-17212
008 D010501 NASHVILLE
008 D020501 TN
008 D030501 37219
014 A000501 EQUITABLE SECURITIES
014 B000501 8-00000000
014 A000502 EQUITABLE TRUST COMPANY
014 B000502 8-00000
024 000500 Y
025 A000501 BEAR STEARNS
025 C000501 E
025 D000501 297
025 D000502 0
025 D000503 0
025 D000504 0
025 D000505 0
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025 D000507 0
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028 A010500 804
<PAGE> PAGE 26
028 A020500 0
028 A030500 0
028 A040500 520
028 B010500 838
028 B020500 0
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028 B040500 162
028 C010500 833
028 C020500 0
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028 G020500 0
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028 H000500 5726
029 000500 Y
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030 B000500 4.50
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031 B000500 0
032 000500 0
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034 000500 N
035 000500 0
036 B000500 0
037 000500 N
038 000500 0
039 000500 N
040 000500 Y
041 000500 Y
042 A000500 0
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042 C000500 50
042 D000500 50
042 E000500 0
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<PAGE> PAGE 27
042 H000500 0
043 000500 48
044 000500 0
045 000500 Y
046 000500 N
047 000500 Y
048 000500 1.000
048 A010500 0
048 A020500 0.000
048 B010500 0
048 B020500 0.000
048 C010500 0
048 C020500 0.000
048 D010500 0
048 D020500 0.000
048 E010500 0
048 E020500 0.000
048 F010500 0
048 F020500 0.000
048 G010500 0
048 G020500 0.000
048 H010500 0
048 H020500 0.000
048 I010500 0
048 I020500 0.000
048 J010500 0
048 J020500 0.000
048 K010500 0
048 K020500 0.000
049 000500 N
050 000500 N
051 000500 N
052 000500 N
053 A000500 N
054 A000500 N
054 B000500 N
054 C000500 N
054 D000500 N
054 E000500 N
054 F000500 N
054 G000500 N
054 H000500 N
054 I000500 N
054 J000500 N
054 K000500 N
054 L000500 N
054 M000500 N
054 N000500 N
054 O000500 N
055 A000500 N
055 B000500 N
<PAGE> PAGE 28
056 000500 Y
057 000500 N
058 A000500 N
059 000500 Y
060 A000500 Y
060 B000500 Y
061 000500 1000
062 A000500 N
062 B000500 0.0
062 C000500 0.0
062 D000500 0.0
062 E000500 0.0
062 F000500 0.0
062 G000500 0.0
062 H000500 0.0
062 I000500 0.0
062 J000500 0.0
062 K000500 0.0
062 L000500 0.0
062 M000500 0.0
062 N000500 0.0
062 O000500 0.0
062 P000500 0.0
062 Q000500 0.0
062 R000500 0.0
063 A000500 0
063 B000500 0.0
066 A000500 Y
066 B000500 N
066 C000500 Y
066 D000500 N
066 E000500 N
066 F000500 N
066 G000500 N
067 000500 N
068 A000500 N
068 B000500 N
069 000500 N
070 A010500 Y
070 A020500 N
070 B010500 Y
070 B020500 N
070 C010500 N
070 C020500 N
070 D010500 Y
070 D020500 N
070 E010500 N
070 E020500 N
070 F010500 Y
070 F020500 N
070 G010500 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 29
070 G020500 N
070 H010500 Y
070 H020500 N
070 I010500 Y
070 I020500 N
070 J010500 Y
070 J020500 N
070 K010500 Y
070 K020500 Y
070 L010500 Y
070 L020500 Y
070 M010500 Y
070 M020500 N
070 N010500 Y
070 N020500 N
070 O010500 N
070 O020500 N
070 P010500 Y
070 P020500 N
070 Q010500 N
070 Q020500 N
070 R010500 Y
070 R020500 N
071 A000500 19114
071 B000500 35908
071 C000500 49527
071 D000500 39
072 A000500 6
072 B000500 6
072 C000500 442
072 D000500 0
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072 G000500 41
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072 I000500 12
072 J000500 17
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072 L000500 4
072 M000500 2
072 N000500 10
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072 Q000500 22
072 R000500 10
072 S000500 5
072 T000500 80
072 U000500 4
072 V000500 0
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072 X000500 491
<PAGE> PAGE 30
072 Y000500 0
072 Z000500 -43
072AA000500 8824
072BB000500 0
072CC010500 8201
072CC020500 0
072DD010500 0
072DD020500 0
072EE000500 0
073 A010500 0.0000
073 A020500 0.0000
073 B000500 0.0000
073 C000500 0.0000
074 A000500 1953
074 B000500 0
074 C000500 0
074 D000500 0
074 E000500 0
074 F000500 48769
074 G000500 0
074 H000500 0
074 I000500 0
074 J000500 0
074 K000500 0
074 L000500 83
074 M000500 15
074 N000500 50820
074 O000500 0
074 P000500 72
074 Q000500 0
074 R010500 0
074 R020500 0
074 R030500 0
074 R040500 0
074 S000500 1
074 T000500 50747
074 U010500 2330
074 U020500 324
074 V010500 19.15
074 V020500 18.93
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075 B000500 54678
076 000500 0.00
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<PAGE> PAGE 31
008 A000601 EQUITABLE SECURITIES CORPORATION
008 B000601 A
008 C000601 801-17212
008 D010601 NASHVILLE
008 D020601 TN
008 D030601 37219
014 A000601 EQUITABLE SECURITIES
014 B000601 8-00000
014 A000602 EQUITABLE TRUST COMPANY
014 B000602 8-00000
024 000600 N
025 D000601 0
025 D000602 0
025 D000603 0
025 D000604 0
025 D000605 0
025 D000606 0
025 D000607 0
025 D000608 0
028 A010600 319
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028 B010600 864
028 B020600 0
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028 C010600 2506
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029 000600 Y
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<PAGE> PAGE 32
030 C000600 0.00
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032 000600 0
033 000600 0
034 000600 N
035 000600 0
036 B000600 0
037 000600 N
038 000600 0
039 000600 N
040 000600 Y
041 000600 Y
042 A000600 0
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042 D000600 32
042 E000600 0
042 F000600 0
042 G000600 0
042 H000600 0
043 000600 0
044 000600 0
045 000600 Y
046 000600 N
047 000600 Y
048 000600 1.250
048 A010600 0
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048 B010600 0
048 B020600 0.000
048 C010600 0
048 C020600 0.000
048 D010600 0
048 D020600 0.000
048 E010600 0
048 E020600 0.000
048 F010600 0
048 F020600 0.000
048 G010600 0
048 G020600 0.000
048 H010600 0
048 H020600 0.000
048 I010600 0
048 I020600 0.000
048 J010600 0
048 J020600 0.000
048 K010600 0
048 K020600 0.000
049 000600 N
050 000600 N
<PAGE> PAGE 33
051 000600 N
052 000600 N
053 A000600 Y
053 B000600 Y
053 C000600 N
054 A000600 N
054 B000600 N
054 C000600 N
054 D000600 N
054 E000600 N
054 F000600 N
054 G000600 N
054 H000600 N
054 I000600 N
054 J000600 N
054 K000600 N
054 L000600 N
054 M000600 N
054 N000600 N
054 O000600 N
055 A000600 N
055 B000600 N
056 000600 Y
057 000600 N
058 A000600 N
059 000600 Y
060 A000600 Y
060 B000600 Y
061 000600 1000
062 A000600 N
062 B000600 0.0
062 C000600 0.0
062 D000600 0.0
062 E000600 0.0
062 F000600 0.0
062 G000600 0.0
062 H000600 0.0
062 I000600 0.0
062 J000600 0.0
062 K000600 0.0
062 L000600 0.0
062 M000600 0.0
062 N000600 0.0
062 O000600 0.0
062 P000600 0.0
062 Q000600 0.0
062 R000600 0.0
063 A000600 0
063 B000600 0.0
066 A000600 Y
066 B000600 N
<PAGE> PAGE 34
066 C000600 Y
066 D000600 N
066 E000600 N
066 F000600 N
066 G000600 N
067 000600 N
068 A000600 N
068 B000600 N
069 000600 N
070 A010600 Y
070 A020600 N
070 B010600 Y
070 B020600 N
070 C010600 Y
070 C020600 N
070 D010600 Y
070 D020600 N
070 E010600 Y
070 E020600 N
070 F010600 Y
070 F020600 N
070 G010600 Y
070 G020600 N
070 H010600 Y
070 H020600 N
070 I010600 Y
070 I020600 N
070 J010600 Y
070 J020600 N
070 K010600 Y
070 K020600 Y
070 L010600 Y
070 L020600 N
070 M010600 Y
070 M020600 N
070 N010600 Y
070 N020600 N
070 O010600 Y
070 O020600 N
070 P010600 Y
070 P020600 N
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070 Q020600 N
070 R010600 Y
070 R020600 N
071 A000600 16397
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<PAGE> PAGE 35
072 C000600 65
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<PAGE> PAGE 36
074 Q000600 0
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008 A000701 EQUITABLE SECURITIES CORPORATION
008 B000701 A
008 C000701 801-17212
008 D010701 NASHVILLE
008 D020701 TN
008 D030701 37219
014 A000701 EQUITABLE SECURITIES
014 B000701 8-00000
014 A000702 EQUITABLE TRUST COMPANY
014 B000702 8-00000
024 000700 N
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<PAGE> PAGE 37
028 D010700 1396
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<PAGE> PAGE 38
048 C010700 0
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049 000700 N
050 000700 N
051 000700 N
052 000700 N
053 A000700 Y
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054 A000700 N
054 B000700 N
054 C000700 N
054 D000700 N
054 E000700 N
054 F000700 N
054 G000700 N
054 H000700 N
054 I000700 N
054 J000700 N
054 K000700 N
054 L000700 N
054 M000700 N
054 N000700 N
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056 000700 Y
057 000700 N
058 A000700 N
059 000700 Y
060 A000700 N
060 B000700 N
061 000700 1000
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062 B000700 0.0
<PAGE> PAGE 39
062 C000700 0.0
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066 A000700 Y
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066 D000700 N
066 E000700 N
066 F000700 N
066 G000700 N
067 000700 N
068 A000700 N
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069 000700 N
070 A010700 Y
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070 E010700 Y
070 E020700 N
070 F010700 Y
070 F020700 N
070 G010700 Y
070 G020700 N
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070 H020700 N
070 I010700 Y
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070 J020700 N
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<PAGE> PAGE 40
070 L010700 Y
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<PAGE> PAGE 41
073 A010700 0.0000
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SIGNATURE KARMIN BAILEY
TITLE ANALYST
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 021
<NAME> GLOBAL EQUITY
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 14600122
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 18899360
<RECEIVABLES> 63825
<ASSETS-OTHER> 375759
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 19338944
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 170134
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 49077
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 219211
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 12430234
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1031156<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1568551<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 9641
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2395110
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 4304030
<NET-ASSETS> 19119733
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 261255
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 268516
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (7261)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1518446
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2616635
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 4127820
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 937607<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 8032745<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (3366490)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 876664
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 2380
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 107164
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 268516
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 16778980<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.66<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.01<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.36<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 14.03<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.40<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class A Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 022
<NAME> GLOBAL EQUITY
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 14600122
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 18899360
<RECEIVABLES> 63825
<ASSETS-OTHER> 375759
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 19338944
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 170134
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 49077
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 219211
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 12430234
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 337142<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 366560<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 9641
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2395110
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 4304030
<NET-ASSETS> 19119733
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 261255
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 268516
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (7261)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1518446
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2616635
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 4127820
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 102014<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 501186<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (3366490)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 876664
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 2380
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 107164
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 268516
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 4576899<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.47<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.05)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.39<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.81<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.90<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class D Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 031
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 22928261
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 23710723
<RECEIVABLES> 667008
<ASSETS-OTHER> 1538778
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 25916509
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 151641
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 151641
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 25675138
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2510000<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 3339466<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 397645
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 1091002
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 783087
<NET-ASSETS> 25764868
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1089318
<INTEREST-INCOME> 22930
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 272491
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 839757
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (311330)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1097376
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1625803
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 816570<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1227463<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 10213876<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 761062<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (8161096)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 397655
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 779672
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 155441
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 272491
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 30024350<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 9.73<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.33<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.19<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.27<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.98<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.74<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class A Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 032
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 22928261
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 23710723
<RECEIVABLES> 667008
<ASSETS-OTHER> 1538778
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 25916509
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 151641
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 151641
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 25675138
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 72332<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 145898<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 397645
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 1091002
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 783087
<NET-ASSETS> 25764868
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1089318
<INTEREST-INCOME> 22930
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 272491
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 839757
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (311330)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1097376
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1625803
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 23197<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 32333<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 776198<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 22084<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (8161096)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 397655
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 779672
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 155441
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 272491
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 934202<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 9.73<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.37<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.12<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.24<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.98<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.24<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class D Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 041
<NAME> SMALL CAP
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 68799167
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 113194350
<RECEIVABLES> 583487
<ASSETS-OTHER> 44298822
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 158076659
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 310584
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 310584
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 104567237
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 4892590<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 4129592<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 75779
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 8879434
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 44395183
<NET-ASSETS> 157766075
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 924543
<INTEREST-INCOME> 59239
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1059561
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (75779)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 6956078
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 35811897
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42692196
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 20580092<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 5385088<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 62886192
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 1923356
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 614721
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1059561
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 93243906<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 17.55<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.01<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 6.97<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 24.53<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.59<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class A Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 042
<NAME> SMALL CAP
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 68799167
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 113194350
<RECEIVABLES> 583487
<ASSETS-OTHER> 44298822
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 158076659
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 310584
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 310584
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 104567237
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1555291<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1290948<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 75779
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 8879434
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 44395183
<NET-ASSETS> 157766075
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 924543
<INTEREST-INCOME> 59239
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1059561
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (75779)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 6956078
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 35811897
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42692196
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 5911661<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 913379<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 62886192
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 1923356
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 614721
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1059561
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 29708767<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 17.35<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.03)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 6.95<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 24.27<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.11<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class D Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 051
<NAME> APPRECIATION
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 35659181
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 48769158
<RECEIVABLES> 83277
<ASSETS-OTHER> 1968043
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 50820478
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 73124
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 73124
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 26778640
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2329705<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 3190643<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 43400
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 10902137
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 13109977
<NET-ASSETS> 50747354
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 441638
<INTEREST-INCOME> 5950
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 490988
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (43400)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 8824467
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 8201372
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 16982439
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 4593700<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 20258677<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1926048
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 2077670
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 272643
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 490988
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 49690921<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14.03<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.04)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 5.16<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 19.15<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.76<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class A Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 052
<NAME> APPRECIATION
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 35659181
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 48769158
<RECEIVABLES> 83277
<ASSETS-OTHER> 1968043
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 50820478
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 73124
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 73124
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 26778640
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 324476<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 292678<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 43400
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 10902137
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 13109977
<NET-ASSETS> 50747354
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 441638
<INTEREST-INCOME> 5950
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 490988
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (43400)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 8824467
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 8201372
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 16982439
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1129935<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 525313<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1926048
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 2077670
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 272643
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 490988
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 4699197<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.85<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.09)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 5.17<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 18.93<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.27<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class D Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 061
<NAME> GROWTH
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 10626463
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 13549037
<RECEIVABLES> 237695
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<TOTAL-ASSETS> 18886969
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 539249
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 28009
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 567258
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 14636190
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 900614<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 295961<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 16969
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 777916
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 2922574
<NET-ASSETS> 18319711
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 65055
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 82535
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (17480)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 803667
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 3049985
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 3836172
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 7648504<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 230248<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 14164161
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 561
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 25751
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 58185
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 147702
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 6476541<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 9.64<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.01)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 4.72<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 14.35<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.96<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class A Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 062
<NAME> GROWTH
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 10626463
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 13549037
<RECEIVABLES> 237695
<ASSETS-OTHER> 5100237
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 18886969
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 539249
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 28009
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 567258
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 14636190
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 376855<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 135392<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 16969
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 777916
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 2922574
<NET-ASSETS> 18319711
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 65055
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 82535
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (17480)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 803667
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 3049985
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 3836172
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2980145<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 70412<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 14164161
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 561
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 25751
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 58185
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 147702
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2885026<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 9.63<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.03)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 4.72<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 14.32<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.46<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class D Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 071
<NAME> VALUE
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 6842135
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7806269
<RECEIVABLES> 52753
<ASSETS-OTHER> 3529044
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 11388066
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 142460
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 4000
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 146460
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 10254125
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 839209<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 15066
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 8281
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 964134
<NET-ASSETS> 11241606
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 58349
<INTEREST-INCOME> 4133
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 47416
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 15066
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 8281
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 964134
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 987481
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 8584946<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 220<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 11241606
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 33488
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 84922
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 5899370<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.00<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.02<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.22<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.24<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.70<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class A Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 072
<NAME> VALUE
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 6842135
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7806269
<RECEIVABLES> 52753
<ASSETS-OTHER> 3529044
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 11388066
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 142460
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 4000
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 146460
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 10254125
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 160950<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 15066
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 8281
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 964134
<NET-ASSETS> 11241606
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 58349
<INTEREST-INCOME> 4133
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 47416
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 15066
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 8281
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 964134
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 987481
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1669774<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 375<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 11241606
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 33488
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 84922
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 912608<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.00<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.00<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.22<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.22<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.20<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class D Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
