WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
Putnam Classic Equity Fund
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 5
<NAME> CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> SEMI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-2000
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8,975,519
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 9,744,573
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
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<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 92,165,521
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (7,771,000)
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (535,533,825)
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[AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING] 0
[AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE] 0
</TABLE>
