<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>      6
               
<CIK>          0000764860
               
<NAME>  FLAGSHIP LIMITED TERM TAX EXEMPT FUND
                                         
<SERIES>
                                         
<NUMBER>                                 163
                                         
<NAME>                                   CLASS C
                                         
<MULTIPLIER>                             1
                                         
       
                                         
<S>            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>          OTHER
                       
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>      MAY-31-1997
                            
<PERIOD-START>              DEC-01-1995
                            
<PERIOD-END>                NOV-30-1996
                            
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>       474,465,494
                            
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>      491,545,395
                            
<RECEIVABLES>               13,319,880
                            
<ASSETS-OTHER>              25,681
                            
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>        0
                            
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<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>     0
                            
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<SENIOR-EQUITY>             0
                            
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</TABLE>