NSAR-B

      PAGE  1
000 B000000 06/30/96
000 C000000 0000865177
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0
000 J000000 U
001 A000000 PUTNAM NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND
001 B000000 811-6128
001 C000000 6172921562
002 A000000 ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
002 B000000 BOSTON
002 C000000 MA
002 D010000 02109
003  000000 N
004  000000 N
005  000000 N
006  000000 N
007 A000000 N
007 B000000  0
018  000000 Y
019 A000000 Y
019 B000000   98
019 C000000 PUTNAMFUND
020 A000001 PAINEWEBBER INC.
020 B000001 13-2638166
020 C000001    589
020 A000002 EDWRDS (A.G.) & SONS INC.
020 B000002 43-0895477
020 C000002    340
020 A000003 MERRILL LYNCH, FENNER & SMITH, INC.
020 B000003 13-5674085
020 C000003    224
020 A000004 FIRST BOSTON CO.
020 B000004 13-5659485
020 C000004    213
020 A000005 BANKERS TRUST CO.
020 B000005 13-4941247
020 C000005    169
020 A000006 BEAR STERNS & CO.
020 B000006 13-4946705
020 C000006    151
020 A000007 SALOMON BROTHERS INC.
020 B000007 13-3082694
020 C000007    134
020 A000008 SMITH, BARNEY, HARRIS, UPHAM & CO.
020 B000008 13-1912900
020 C000008    114
020 A000009 FINANCIAL NETWORK INVESTMENT CORPORTATION
      PAGE  2
020 B000009 95-3845382
020 C000009    106
020 A000010 LEHMAN BORTHERES
020 B000010 13-2518466
020 C000010    105
021  000000     4703
022 A000001 LEHMAN BROTHERS
022 B000001 13-2518466
022 C000001   5718153
022 D000001     15177
022 A000002 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES INC.
022 B000002 13-3224016
022 C000002   3122694
022 D000002     39623
022 A000003 MORGAN STANLEY INC.
022 B000003 13-2655998
022 C000003   2555099
022 D000003     71117
022 A000004 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH, INC.
022 B000004 13-5674085
022 C000004   1494243
022 D000004    106833
022 A000005 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
022 B000005 13-5108880
022 C000005    684514
022 D000005    103497
022 A000006 HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK
022 B000006 13-5146790
022 C000006    649343
022 D000006     41773
022 A000007 SMITH, BARNEY, HARRIS, UPHAM & CO.
022 B000007 13-1912900
022 C000007    288038
022 D000007     71680
022 A000008 BROWN (ALEX) & SONS, INC.
022 B000008 52-0256630
022 C000008    318777
022 D000008     22996
022 A000009 DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORP.
022 B000009 13-2741729
022 C000009    304395
022 D000009     36026
022 A000010 FIRST BOSTON CO.
022 B000010 13-5659485
022 C000010    223996
022 D000010     22827
023 C000000   17910561
023 D000000    1140240
024  000000 N
025 D000001       0
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      PAGE  3
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      PAGE  4
032  000000  68548
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      PAGE  5
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      PAGE  6
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070 F020000 N
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070 G020000 N
070 H010000 Y
070 H020000 N
070 I010000 N
070 I020000 N
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070 J020000 N
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070 L010000 Y
070 L020000 Y
070 M010000 Y
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      PAGE  7
072 G000000       52
072 H000000        0
072 I000000    10387
072 J000000      289
072 K000000      824
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072 V000000        0
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072 Y000000        0
072 Z000000   -43791
072AA000000    90705
072BB000000        0
072CC010000  1532699
072CC020000        0
072DD010000        0
072DD020000        0
072EE000000        0
073 A010000   0.0000
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073 C000000   0.0100
074 A000000     2617
074 B000000    52998
074 C000000   737571
074 D000000        0
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      PAGE  8
074 R040000     8590
074 S000000        0
074 T000000  9336617
074 U010000   110555
074 U020000   101401
074 V010000    42.99
074 V020000    41.96
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074 Y000000        0
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076  000000     0.00
077 A000000 Y
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080 A000000 FEDERAL INSURANCE CO
080 B000000 NATIONAL FIRE UNION INSURANCE CO.
080 C000000       50
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SIGNATURE   PAUL BUCAVALAS                               
TITLE       VICE PRESIDENT      
 

EX-27.CLASSA

WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

 

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
 BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

       
                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>OTHER 	
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>JUNE-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>	JUNE-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>7,194,154,187
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>	9,277,486,903	
<RECEIVABLES>	198,218,679	
<ASSETS-OTHER>	2,616,819	
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>	0	
<TOTAL-ASSETS>	9,478,322,401	
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>	111,907,555	
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>	0	
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>	29,797,712	
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>	141,705,267	
<SENIOR-EQUITY>	0	
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>	7,177,262,140	
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>	110,555,009	
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>	45,358,780	
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>	0	
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>	(25,244)	
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>	76,047,765	
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>	0	
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>	2,083,332,473	
<NET-ASSETS>	9,336,617,134	
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>	5,852,832	
<INTEREST-INCOME>	20,581,757	
<OTHER-INCOME>	0	
<EXPENSES-NET>	70,225,541	
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>	(43,790,952)	
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>	90,705,125	
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>	1,532,698,538,	
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>	1,579,612,711	
<EQUALIZATION>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>	0	
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>	108,115,547	
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>	(42,919,318)	
<SHARES-REINVESTED>	0	
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>	6,940,812,172	
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>	0	
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>	0	
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>	(2,660)	
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>	(14,672,284)	
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>	26,621,482	
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>	0	
<GROSS-EXPENSE>	71,929,515	
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>	2,625,753,951	
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>	29.58	
<PER-SHARE-NII>	(0.21)	
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>	13.62	
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>	0	
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>	0	
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>	0	
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>	42.99	
<EXPENSE-RATIO>	01.11	
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTAN0DING>	0	
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>	0	
        


 

EX-27.CLASSB

WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

 

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY
FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
 FROM AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY 
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

       
                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>  OTHER 	
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>JUNE-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>	JUNE-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>7,194.154,187
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>	9,277,486,903	
<RECEIVABLES>	198,218,679	
<ASSETS-OTHER>	2,616,819	
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>	0	
<TOTAL-ASSETS>	9,478,322,401	
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>	111,907,555	
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>	0	
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>	29,797,712	
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>	141,705,267	
<SENIOR-EQUITY>	0	
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>	7,177,262,140	
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>	101,400,736	
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>	34,831,155	
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>	0	
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>	(25,244)	
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>	76,047,765	
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>	0	
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>	2,083,332,473	
<NET-ASSETS>	9,336,617,134	
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>	5,852,832	
<INTEREST-INCOME>	20,581,757	
<OTHER-INCOME>	0	
<EXPENSES-NET>	70,225,541	
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>	(43,790,952)	
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>	90,705,125	
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>	1,532,698,538,	
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>	1,579,612,711	
<EQUALIZATION>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>	0	
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>	79,329,108	
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>	(12,759,527)	
<SHARES-REINVESTED>	0	
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>	6,940,812,172	
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>	0	
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>	0	
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>	(2,660)	
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>	(14,672,284)	
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>	26,621,482	
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>	0	
<GROSS-EXPENSE>	71,929,515	
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>	2,196,950,351	
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>	29.09	
<PER-SHARE-NII>	(0.48)	
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>	13.55	
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>	0	
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>	0	
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>	0	
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>	41.96	
<EXPENSE-RATIO>	1.87	
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTAN0DING>	0	
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>	0	
        


 

EX-27.CLASSM

WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

 

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED 
FROM AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY 
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

       
                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        OTHER 	
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>	JUNE-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>	JUNE-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>	7,194.154,187
 <INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>	9,277,486,903	
<RECEIVABLES>	198,218,679	
<ASSETS-OTHER>	2,616,819	
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>	0	
<TOTAL-ASSETS>	9,478,322,401	
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>	111,907,555	
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>	0	
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>	29,797,712	
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>	141,705,267	
<SENIOR-EQUITY>	0	
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>	7,177,262,140	
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>	4,932,667	
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>	542,592	
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>	0	
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>	(25,244)	
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>	76,047,765	
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>	0	
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>	2,083,332,473	
<NET-ASSETS>	9,336,617,134	
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>	5,852,832	
<INTEREST-INCOME>	20,581,757	
<OTHER-INCOME>	0	
<EXPENSES-NET>	70,225,541	
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>	(43,790,952)	
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>	90,705,125	
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>	1,532,698,538,	
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>	1,579,612,711	
<EQUALIZATION>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>	0	
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>	4,924,723	
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>	(534,648)	
<SHARES-REINVESTED>	0	
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>	6,940,812,172	
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>	0	
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>	0	
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>	(2,660)	
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>	(14,672,284)	
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>	26,621,482	
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>	0	
<GROSS-EXPENSE>	71,929,515	
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>	79,129,496	
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>	29.51	
<PER-SHARE-NII>	(0.40)	
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>	13.55	
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>	0	
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>	0	
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>	0	
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>	42.66	
<EXPENSE-RATIO>	1.64	
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTAN0DING>	0	
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>	0	
        


 

EX-27.CLASSY

WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

 

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY 
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

       
                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        OTHER 	
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>	JUNE-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>	JUNE-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>	7,194,154,187
 <INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>	9,277,486,903	
<RECEIVABLES>	198,218,679	
<ASSETS-OTHER>	2,616,819	
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>	0	
<TOTAL-ASSETS>	9,478,322,401	
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>	111,907,555	
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>	0	
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>	29,797,712	
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>	141,705,267	
<SENIOR-EQUITY>	0	
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>	7,177,262,140	
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>	2,745,959	
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>	827,326	
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>	0	
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>	(25,244)	
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>	76,047,765	
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>	0	
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>	2,083,332,473	
<NET-ASSETS>	9,336,617,134	
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>	5,852,832	
<INTEREST-INCOME>	20,581,757	
<OTHER-INCOME>	0	
<EXPENSES-NET>	70,225,541	
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>	(43,790,952)	
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>	90,705,125	
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>	1,532,698,538,	
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>	1,579,612,711	
<EQUALIZATION>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>	0	
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>	0	
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>	2,245,795	
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>	(327,162)	
<SHARES-REINVESTED>	0	
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>	6,940,812,172	
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>	0	
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>	0	
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>	(2,660)	
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>	(14,672,284)	
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>	26,621,482	
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>	0	
<GROSS-EXPENSE>	71,929,515	
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>	65,908,184	
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>	29.66	
<PER-SHARE-NII>	(0.11)	
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>1	3.66	
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>	0	
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>	0	
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>	0	
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>	43.21	
<EXPENSE-RATIO>	0.86	
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTAN0DING>	0	
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>	0