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<PAGE> PAGE 7
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<PAGE> PAGE 13
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<PAGE> PAGE 20
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<PAGE> PAGE 21
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<PAGE> PAGE 22
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<PAGE> PAGE 23
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<PAGE> PAGE 24
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<PAGE> PAGE 25
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<PAGE> PAGE 26
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<PAGE> PAGE 27
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<PAGE> PAGE 28
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<PAGE> PAGE 29
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<PAGE> PAGE 30
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<PAGE> PAGE 31
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<PAGE> PAGE 32
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<PAGE> PAGE 33
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SIGNATURE CORY GOSSARD
TITLE SUPERVISOR
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<CIK> 0000915388
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC FUNDS
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 56826
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2680000
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (1819175)
<NET-ASSETS> 11434163
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 116819
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<EXPENSES-NET> 183150
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (28655)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1913426
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (5109369)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (3224598)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 10181<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 25133<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (4627805)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 766574
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 28171
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 73454
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 185465
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2532765<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.81<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.02)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (2.50)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.29<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.92<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> 031
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC SMALL CAP FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 118103751
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 107327180
<RECEIVABLES> 139370
<ASSETS-OTHER> 68002
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 107534552
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 259974
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 259974
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 115823770
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 5338747<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 5561203<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 423858
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2644322
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (10776571)
<NET-ASSETS> 107274578
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 457503
<INTEREST-INCOME> 441171
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1322532
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (423858)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (724236)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (49775800)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (50923894)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 255358<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 477815<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (57856716)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3368558
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 708390
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1322532
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 108545634<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 22.81<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.06)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (7.18)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 15.57<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.75<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> 032
<NAME> ESC STRATEGIC SMALL CAP FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 118103751
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 107327180
<RECEIVABLES> 139370
<ASSETS-OTHER> 68002
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 107534552
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 259974
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 259974
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 115823770
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1576101<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1701274<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 423858
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2644322
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (10776571)
<NET-ASSETS> 107274578
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 457503
<INTEREST-INCOME> 441171
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1322532
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (423858)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (724236)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (49775800)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (50923894)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 49938<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 175111<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (57856716)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3368558
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 708390
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1322532
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 32428953<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 22.50<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.06)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (7.13)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 15.31<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.26<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> ESC STRATEGIC APPRECIATION FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 30750030
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 28847618
<RECEIVABLES> 165710
<ASSETS-OTHER> 30378
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 29043706
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 183424
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 57524
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 240948
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 23715189
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1978674<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 2114008<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 75555
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 7076924
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (1916262)
<NET-ASSETS> 28802758
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 234582
<INTEREST-INCOME> 56572
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 366481
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (75327)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 3622483
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (13758658)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (10211502)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 100197<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 235532<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (11975137)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3454441
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 228
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 188634
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 369018
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 29464044<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 15.80<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.03)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (4.03)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.74<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.91<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> ESC STRATEGIC APPRECIATION FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 30750030
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 28847618
<RECEIVABLES> 165710
<ASSETS-OTHER> 30378
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 29043706
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 183424
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 57524
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 240948
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 23715189
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 483086<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 475250<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 75555
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 7076924
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (1916262)
<NET-ASSETS> 28802758
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 234582
<INTEREST-INCOME> 56572
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 366481
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (75327)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 3622483
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (13758658)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (10211502)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 72026<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 64190<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (11975137)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 3454441
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 228
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 188634
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 369018
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 6968033<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 15.54<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.03)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (3.99)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.52<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.42<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> ESC STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 34292882
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 26808450
<RECEIVABLES> 191598
<ASSETS-OTHER> 18859
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 27018907
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 57969
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 100506
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 158475
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 35587630
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2040409<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1458113<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 126971
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 1118690
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (7484434)
<NET-ASSETS> 26860432
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 62798
<INTEREST-INCOME> 149994
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 339763
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (126971)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (669842)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (11320530)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (12117343)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 794360<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 212064<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (2770767)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 448921
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 197101
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 368672
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 21895998<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.68<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.04)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (4.35)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.29<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.00<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> ESC STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 34292882
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 26808450
<RECEIVABLES> 191598
<ASSETS-OTHER> 18859
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 27018907
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 57969
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 100506
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 158475
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 35587630
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 856834<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 711840<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 126971
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 1118690
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (7484434)
<NET-ASSETS> 26860432
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 62798
<INTEREST-INCOME> 149994
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 339763
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (126971)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (669842)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (11320530)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 81172<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (2770767)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 448921
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 197101
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 368672
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 9538918<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.61<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.05)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (4.34)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.22<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.50<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> ESC STRATEGIC VALUE FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 15266977
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 12726916
<RECEIVABLES> 70166
<ASSETS-OTHER> 11618
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 12808700
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 67408
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 67408
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 15813420
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1130098<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1199696<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 37351
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 496209
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (2540061)
<NET-ASSETS> 12741292
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 51889
<INTEREST-INCOME> 76474
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 173757
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (45394)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (676130)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (3923854)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (4645378)
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 124066<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 193664<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (5567833)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 8043
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 179921
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 102364
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 218869
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 12388609<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.51<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (2.93)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.03<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.55<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.00<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> ESC STRATEGIC VALUE FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 15266977
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 12726916
<RECEIVABLES> 70166
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<TOTAL-ASSETS> 12808700
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 67408
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 67408
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 15813420
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 362854<F1>
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 392807<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 37351
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 496209
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (2540061)
<NET-ASSETS> 12741292
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 51889
<INTEREST-INCOME> 76474
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 173757
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (45394)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (676130)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (3923854)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (4645378)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 43803<F1>
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 73756<F1>
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (5567833)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 8043
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 179921
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 102364
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 218869
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3914422<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.47<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.01)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (2.94)<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.02<F1>
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0<F1>
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0<F1>
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.50<F1>
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.50<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
<FN>
<F1>Class D Shares
</FN>
</TABLE>
