<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000931145
<NAME> THE BEAR STEARNS FUNDS

   <NUMBER> 051
   <NAME> S & P STARS - CLASS A

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        998325322
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<EXPENSES-NET>                              (11911358)
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
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