EXHIBIT 17.4


                              PLEASE VOTE PROMPTLY

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Your vote is important, no matter how many shares you own. Please vote on the
reverse side of this proxy card and sign in the space(s) provided. Return your
completed proxy card in the enclosed envelope today.

You may receive additional proxies for other accounts. These are not duplicates;
you should sign and return each proxy card in order for your votes to be
counted.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The signers of this
proxy hereby appoint each of Joseph R. Palombo, Jean S. Loewenberg, Joseph T.
Turo, Russell L. Kane, and Vincent P. Pietropaolo proxies of the signers, with
power of substitution, to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held
at Boston, Massachusetts, on [_____}, [______ __], 2002, and at any
adjournments, as specified herein and in accordance with their best judgment on
any other business that may properly come before this meeting.

The proxies will cast votes according to the number of shares of your Galaxy
Fund which the undersigned may be entitled to vote with respect to the proposals
set forth on the attached card, in accordance with the specification indicated,
if any, and with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if
personally present. The undersigned hereby revokes any prior proxy to vote at
such meeting, and hereby confirms all that said attorneys and proxies, or either
of them, may lawfully do by virtue thereof.

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS AND THE COMBINED PROSPECTUS/PROXY STATEMENT DATED AUGUST [___],
2002.

AFTER CAREFUL REVIEW, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY HAS RECOMMENDED A VOTE
"FOR" ALL MATTERS.






GALAXY LOGO

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            GALAXY GROWTH FUND II

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Please be sure to sign and date this proxy. Date
                                                -----------


-----------------------------------       ----------------------------------

Shareholder sign here                     Co-owner sign here






THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BELOW
AND, ABSENT DIRECTION, WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1 LISTED BELOW. THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HOLDER'S BEST JUDGMENT AS TO ANY OTHER
MATTER.

THE TRUSTEES RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL:

1.   Proposal to approve the           [ ] FOR       [ ] AGAINST
     Agreement and Plan of
     Reorganization with respect       [ ] ABSTAIN
     to the acquisition of the
     Galaxy Growth Fund II by the
     Columbia Special Fund, Inc.
     (Item 1 of the Notice)




MARK BOX AT RIGHT FOR ADDRESS CHANGE
AND NOTE NEW ADDRESS AT LEFT      [ ]


PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS
PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

Please sign exactly as name or names appear hereon. Joint owners should each
sign personally. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in
corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership,
please sign in partnership name by authorized person.



DETACH CARD                                                          DETACH CARD






                        VOTE YOUR PROXY - ELECTRONICALLY!

The enclosed proxy statement provides details on important issues affecting your
funds. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR ALL PROPOSALS.

You can vote your proxies over the Internet or by telephone. Both ways are easy
and confidential.

A REMINDER - if you vote by Internet or telephone, you should NOT mail your
proxy card.

INTERNET VOTING:

     - Read the proxy statement.

     - With your proxy card available, go to WWW.GALAXYFUNDS.COM.

     - Log on to the shareholder site. Click on the proxy link and follow the
       instructions provided.

TELEPHONE VOTING:

     - Read the proxy statement.

     - With your proxy card available, call [877-779-8683] (toll free).

     - When prompted, enter the voter control number located on the upper left
       corner of your proxy card.

     - Follow the instructions provided.



Internet and telephone voting are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you have any questions regarding the meeting agenda and the execution of
proxies, call one of our representatives at [866-274-6822] (toll free) from 9:00
am to 11:00 pm (Eastern time) Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 12:00 pm
to 6:00 pm (Eastern time).


                            [GALAXY FUNDS LOGO HERE]