<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR AMERICAN TAX-EXEMPT BOND TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000916824
<NAME> AMERICAN TAX-EXEMPT BOND TRUST
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 565,282
<SECURITIES> 25,947,864
<RECEIVABLES> 177,807
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 26,690,953
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,429,252
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 25,261,701
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 26,690,953
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,081,517
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 128,270
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 953,247
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 953,247
<EPS-BASIC> .60
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>