<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF BERTHEL GROWTH & INCOME TRUST
I AS OF SEPTEMBER 39, 1997 AND THE UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF THE
TRUST FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          22,188
<SECURITIES>                                 7,478,495
<RECEIVABLES>                                        3
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             7,500,686
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,573,097
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          821,223
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,751,874
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,573,097
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               409,824
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               293,731
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                116,093
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            116,093
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   116,093
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    11.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    11.80