<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (UNAUDITED) AND THE STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED) AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 FOR BERTHEL
GROWTH AND INCOME FUND I. THIS SCHEDULE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                       2,437,434
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,781
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,422,760
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          374,968
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  10,931,140<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,422,760
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               157,131
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               175,952
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F2>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (18,821)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (18,821)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                     (33,817)
<NET-INCOME>                                  (52,638)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (4.99)<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (4.99)<F3>
<FN>
<F1>NET ASSETS.
<F2>UNREALIZED LOSS (GAIN) ON INVESTMENTS.
<F3>NET INCOME PER BENEFICIAL SHARE BASED ON WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
WHICH WAS 10,541.
</FN>