diff --git a/matlab/@dynSeries/dynSeries.m b/matlab/@dynSeries/dynSeries.m
index dae76e265..5fcd01bf4 100644
--- a/matlab/@dynSeries/dynSeries.m
+++ b/matlab/@dynSeries/dynSeries.m
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-function ts = dynSeries(a,b,c,d)
+function ts = dynSeries(varargin)% dynSeries(a,b,c,d)
 
 %@info:
 %! @deftypefn {Function File} {@var{ts} =} dynSeries (@var{a},@var{b},@var{c},@var{d})
@@ -90,16 +90,38 @@ ts = struct;
 ts.data = [];
 ts.nobs = 0;
 ts.vobs = 0;
-ts.name = [];
-ts.tex  = [];
+ts.name = {};
+ts.tex  = {};
 ts.freq = [];
-ts.Time = dynTime();
+ts.init = dynDate();%ts.Time = dynTime();
 
 ts = class(ts,'dynSeries');
 
 switch nargin
   case 0
+    %  Create an empty dynSeries object.
     return
+  case 1
+    if isa(varargin{1},'dynDate')
+        if isempty(varargin{1})
+            error(['dynSeries:: ' inputname(1) ' (identified as a dynDate object) must be non empty!'])
+        else
+            % Create an empty dynSeries object with an initial date.
+            ts.init = varargin{1};
+            ts.freq = varargin{1}.freq;
+        end
+    elseif ischar(varargin{1})
+        % Create a dynSeries object loading data in a file (*.csv, *.m, *.mat).
+        if check_file_extension(varargin{1},'m')
+            [freq,init,data,varlist] = load_m_file_data(varargin{1});
+        elseif check_file_extension(varargin{1},'mat')
+            [freq,init,data,varlist] = load_mat_file_data(varargin{1});
+        elseif check_file_extension(varargin{1},'csv')
+            [freq,init,data,varlist] = load_csv_file_data(varargin{1});
+        else
+            error(['dynSeries:: I''m not able to load data from ' inputname(1) '!'])
+        end
+    end
   case {2,4}
     if nargin==2
         c = [];
diff --git a/matlab/@dynSeries/private/readcsv.m b/matlab/load_csv_file_data.m
similarity index 63%
rename from matlab/@dynSeries/private/readcsv.m
rename to matlab/load_csv_file_data.m
index de5b7b480..a648c966d 100644
--- a/matlab/@dynSeries/private/readcsv.m
+++ b/matlab/load_csv_file_data.m
@@ -1,4 +1,42 @@
-function [list_of_variables, data, time] = readcsv(file, withtime, withnames, noemptycell)
+function [freq, init, data, varlist] = load_csv_file_data(file, withtime, withnames, noemptycell)
+
+%@info:
+%! @deftypefn {Function File} {@var{freq}, @var{init}, @var{data}, @var{varlist} =} load_m_file_data (@var{file}, @var{withtime}, @var{withnames}, @var{noemptycell})
+%! @anchor{load_csv_file_data}
+%! @sp 1
+%! Loads data in a csv file.
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Inputs}
+%! @sp 1
+%! @table @ @var
+%! @item file
+%! string, name of the m file (matlab/octave script).
+%! @item withtime
+%! Scalar integer, non zero iff the first column is for the dates of the observations.
+%! @item withnames
+%! Scalar integer, non zero iff the first row is for the names of the variables.
+%! @item noemptycell
+%! Scalar integer, non zero iff the csv file does not have empty cells.
+%! @end table
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Outputs}
+%! @sp 1
+%! @table @ @var
+%! @item freq
+%! Scalar integer (1, 4, 12, 52).
+%! @item init
+%! dynDate object, initial date.
+%! @item data
+%! Matrix of doubles, data.
+%! @item varlist
+%! Cell of strings (names of the variables in the database).
+%! @end table
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Remarks}
+%! @sp 1
+%! The frequency and initial date can be specified with variables FREQ__ and INIT__ in the matlab/octave script. FREQ__ must be a scalar integer and INIT__ a string like '1938M11', '1945Q3', '1973W3' or '2009'. If these variables are not specified default values for freq and init are 1 and dynDate(1).
+%! @end deftypefn
+%@eod:
 
 % Copyright (C) 2012 Dynare Team
 %
@@ -19,6 +57,20 @@ function [list_of_variables, data, time] = readcsv(file, withtime, withnames, no
 
 % AUTHOR(S) stephane DOT adjemian AT univ DASH lemans DOT fr
 
+% Set defaults.
+if nargin<4
+    noemptycell = 1;
+    if nargin<3
+        withnames = 1;
+        if nargin <2
+            withtime = 1;
+            if nargin<1
+                error('load_csv_file_data:: I need at least one input (name of the csv file)!')
+            end
+        end
+    end
+end
+
 if ~withtime && ~withname && noemptycell
     % Use matlab builtin routine!
     data = csvread(file);
@@ -33,7 +85,7 @@ if ~( isequal(withnames,0) || isequal(withnames,1) )
 end
 
 % Output initialization 
-time = []; data = []; list_of_variables = [];
+time = []; data = []; varlist = [];
 
 % Check if file exists.
 if check_file_extension(file,'csv')
@@ -83,10 +135,10 @@ if withnames
         B = B(2:end);
         C = C(2:end);
     end
-    list_of_variables = cell(length(B),1);
-    number_of_variables = length(list_of_variables);
+    varlist = cell(length(B),1);
+    number_of_variables = length(varlist);
     for i=1:number_of_variables
-        list_of_variables(i) = {linee(B(i):C(i))};
+        varlist(i) = {linee(B(i):C(i))};
     end
     linea = linea+1;
 end
@@ -107,10 +159,12 @@ if withtime
         % Remove the Y (gpm/iris date format) if necessary
         tmp = { tmp(1:end-1) };
     end
-    initial_date = dynDate(tmp);
+    init = dynDate(tmp);
+    freq = init.freq;
     first = 2;
 else
-    initial_date = dynDate(1);
+    init = dynDate(1);
+    freq = 1;
     first = 1;
 end
 
diff --git a/matlab/load_m_file_data.m b/matlab/load_m_file_data.m
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2509cca57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/matlab/load_m_file_data.m
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+function [freq,init,data,varlist] = load_m_file_data(file)
+
+%@info:
+%! @deftypefn {Function File} {@var{freq}, @var{init}, @var{data}, @var{varlist} =} load_m_file_data (@var{file})
+%! @anchor{load_m_file_data}
+%! @sp 1
+%! Loads data in a matlab/octave m-file.
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Inputs}
+%! @sp 1
+%! @table @ @var
+%! @item file
+%! string, name of the m file (matlab/octave script).
+%! @end table
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Outputs}
+%! @sp 1
+%! @table @ @var
+%! @item freq
+%! Scalar integer (1, 4, 12, 52).
+%! @item init
+%! dynDate object, initial date.
+%! @item data
+%! Matrix of doubles, data.
+%! @item varlist
+%! Cell of strings (names of the variables in the database).
+%! @end table
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Remarks}
+%! @sp 1
+%! The frequency and initial date can be specified with variables FREQ__ and INIT__ in the matlab/octave script. FREQ__ must be a scalar integer and INIT__ a string like '1938M11', '1945Q3', '1973W3' or '2009'. If these variables are not specified default values for freq and init are 1 and dynDate(1).
+%! @end deftypefn
+%@eod:
+
+
+% Copyright (C) 2012 Dynare Team
+%
+% This file is part of Dynare.
+%
+% Dynare is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+% it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+% the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+% (at your option) any later version.
+%
+% Dynare is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+% but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+% MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+% GNU General Public License for more details.
+%
+% You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+% along with Dynare.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+% AUTHOR(S) stephane DOT adjemian AT univ DASH lemans DOT fr    
+    
+run(file);
+
+if exist('INIT__','var')
+    init = dynDate(INIT__);
+    clear('INIT__')
+else
+    init = dynDate(1);
+end
+
+if exist('FREQ__','var')
+    freq = FREQ__;
+    clear('FREQ__');
+else
+    freq = 1;
+end
+
+list_of_variables = whos();
+
+data = [];
+varlist = {};
+
+for i=1:length(list_of_variables)
+    if isequal(list_of_variables(i).name,'freq') || isequal(list_of_variables(i).name,'time') || isequal(list_of_variables(i).name,'data') || isequal(list_of_variables(i).name,'varlist')
+        continue
+    end
+    if list_of_variables(i).global || list_of_variables(i).persistent
+        continue
+    end
+    if list_of_variables(i).complex || ~strcmp(list_of_variables(i).class,'double')
+        continue
+    end
+    try
+        eval(['data = [data, ' list_of_variables(i).name '];'])
+        eval(['varlist = {varlist{:}, ''' list_of_variables(i).name '''};']) 
+    catch
+        error(['load_m_file:: All the vectors (variables) in ' inputname(1) ' must have the same number of rows (observations)!'])
+    end
+end
+
+%@test:1
+%$ % Create a data m-file
+%$ fid = fopen('data_m_file.m','w');
+%$ fprintf(fid,'FREQ__ = 4;');
+%$ fprintf(fid,'INIT__ = ''1938Q4'';');
+%$ fprintf(fid,'azert = [1; 2; 3; 4; 5];');
+%$ fprintf(fid,'yuiop = [2; 3; 4; 5; 6];');
+%$ fclose(fid);
+%$
+%$ % Try to read the data m-file
+%$ try
+%$     datafile = 'data_m_file';
+%$     [freq,init,data,varlist] = load_m_file_data(datafile);
+%$     t(1) = 1;
+%$ catch exception
+%$     t(1) = 0;
+%$     T = all(t);
+%$     LOG = getReport(exception,'extended');
+%$     return
+%$ end
+%$
+%$ % Check the results.
+%$ t(2) = dyn_assert(freq,4);
+%$ t(3) = dyn_assert(isa(init,'dynDate'),1);
+%$ t(4) = dyn_assert(init.freq,4);
+%$ t(5) = dyn_assert(init.time,[1938 4]);
+%$ t(6) = dyn_assert(varlist,{'azert','yuiop'});
+%$ t(7) = dyn_assert(data(:,1),[1;2;3;4;5]);
+%$ t(8) = dyn_assert(data(:,2),[2;3;4;5;6]);
+%$ T = all(t);
+%@eof:1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/matlab/load_mat_file_data.m b/matlab/load_mat_file_data.m
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f0670060b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/matlab/load_mat_file_data.m
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+function [freq,init,data,varlist] = load_mat_file_data(file)
+ 
+%@info:
+%! @deftypefn {Function File} {@var{freq}, @var{init}, @var{data}, @var{varlist} =} load_m_file_data (@var{file})
+%! @anchor{load_m_file_data}
+%! @sp 1
+%! Loads data in a matlab/octave mat-file.
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Inputs}
+%! @sp 1
+%! @table @ @var
+%! @item file
+%! string, name of the mat file.
+%! @end table
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Outputs}
+%! @sp 1
+%! @table @ @var
+%! @item freq
+%! Scalar integer (1, 4, 12, 52).
+%! @item init
+%! dynDate object, initial date.
+%! @item data
+%! Matrix of doubles, data.
+%! @item varlist
+%! Cell of strings (names of the variables in the database).
+%! @end table
+%! @sp 2
+%! @strong{Remarks}
+%! @sp 1
+%! The frequency and initial date can be specified with variables FREQ__ and INIT__ in the matlab/octave mat file. FREQ__ must be a scalar integer and INIT__ a string like '1938M11', '1945Q3', '1973W3' or '2009'. If these variables are not specified, default values for freq and init are 1 and dynDate(1).
+%! @end deftypefn
+%@eod:
+
+
+% Copyright (C) 2012 Dynare Team
+%
+% This file is part of Dynare.
+%
+% Dynare is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+% it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+% the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+% (at your option) any later version.
+%
+% Dynare is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+% but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+% MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+% GNU General Public License for more details.
+%
+% You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+% along with Dynare.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+% AUTHOR(S) stephane DOT adjemian AT univ DASH lemans DOT fr    
+    
+datafile = load(file);
+
+if isfield(datafile,'INIT__')
+    init = dynDate(datafile.INIT__);
+    datafile = rmfield(datafile, 'INIT__');
+else
+    init = dynDate(1);
+end
+
+if isfield(datafile,'FREQ__')
+    freq = datafile.FREQ__;
+    datafile = rmfield(datafile, 'FREQ__');
+else
+    freq = 1;
+end
+
+data = [];
+varlist = fieldnames(datafile);
+
+for i=1:length(varlist)
+    try
+        data = [data,  getfield(datafile,varlist{i})];
+    catch
+        error(['load_mat_file:: All the vectors (variables) in ' inputname(1) ' must have the same number of rows (observations)!'])
+    end
+end
+
+%@test:1
+%$ % Create a data mat-file
+%$ FREQ__ = 12;
+%$ INIT__ = '1938M11';
+%$ hagop  = [1; 2; 3; 4; 5];
+%$ bedros = [2; 3; 4; 5; 6];
+%$ save('datafile_for_test');
+%$
+%$ % Try to read the data mat-file
+%$ t = zeros(8,1);
+%$ try
+%$     [freq,init,data,varlist] = load_mat_file_data('datafile_for_test');
+%$     t(1) = 1;
+%$ catch exception
+%$     t = t(1);
+%$     T = all(t);
+%$     LOG = getReport(exception,'extended');
+%$     return
+%$ end
+%$
+%$ % Check the results.
+%$ t(2) = dyn_assert(freq,12);
+%$ t(3) = dyn_assert(isa(init,'dynDate'),1);
+%$ t(4) = dyn_assert(init.freq,12);
+%$ t(5) = dyn_assert(init.time,[1938 11]);
+%$ t(6) = dyn_assert(varlist,{'hagop';'bedros'});
+%$ t(7) = dyn_assert(data(:,1),[1;2;3;4;5]);
+%$ t(8) = dyn_assert(data(:,2),[2;3;4;5;6]);
+%$ T = all(t);
+%@eof:1
\ No newline at end of file