<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000811869
<NAME> THE AAL MUTUAL FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 7
   <NAME> THE AAL BOND FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
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<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       368806265
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<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
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<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         40418221
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         44806465
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                        96451
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<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         26541727
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (25506598)
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<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        3970015
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (10449930)
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<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (41113075)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          41051
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (15719070)
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<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2214486
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                4087152
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<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.62
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .595
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .01
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.595)
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<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
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<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .98
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</TABLE>