<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR AMERICA 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> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 602,328
<SECURITIES> 26,042,379
<RECEIVABLES> 181,696
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 26,826,403
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,341,021
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 25,485,382
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 26,826,403
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 539,470
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 54,812
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 484,658
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 484,658
<EPS-BASIC> .31
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>