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

   <NUMBER> 054
   <NAME> S & P STARS - CLASS Y

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        998325322
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<RECEIVABLES>                                 97549420
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<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              2503651
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<EXPENSES-NET>                              (11911358)
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<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (878492)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (249776)
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<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
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<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  (.12)
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.00