AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS INC
497, 1998-03-13
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                                   PROSPECTUS

                            [american century logo]
                                    American
                                Century(reg.sm)

                                  MARCH 1, 1998
                             Revised March 13, 1998

                                    TWENTIETH
                                     CENTURY
                                      GROUP

                                     Select
                                    Heritage
                                     Growth
                                      Ultra
                                      Vista

INVESTOR CLASS

                         AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

                                FAMILY OF FUNDS

    American  Century  Investments  offers you nearly 70 fund  choices  covering
stocks, bonds, money markets,  specialty investments and blended portfolios.  To
help you find the funds that may meet your investment  needs,  American  Century
funds  have  been  divided  into  three  groups  based on  investment  style and
objectives. These groups, which appear below, are designed to help simplify your
fund decisions.

                           AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BENHAM GROUP(reg.tm)      AMERICAN CENTURY GROUP        TWENTIETH CENTURY GROUP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  MONEY MARKET FUNDS          ASSET ALLOCATION               GROWTH FUNDS
 GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS      &  BALANCED FUNDS            INTERNATIONAL FUNDS
DIVERSIFIED BOND FUNDS   CONSERVATIVE EQUITY FUNDS
 MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS        SPECIALTY FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                      Select * Heritage * Growth
                                                             Ultra * Vista




                                  PROSPECTUS

                                 MARCH 1, 1998
                             Revised March 13, 1998

                          Select * Heritage * Growth

                                 Ultra * Vista

                                INVESTOR CLASS

                      AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.

    American  Century  Mutual  Funds,   Inc.  is  a  part  of  American  Century
Investments,  a family of funds that  includes  nearly 70 no-load  mutual  funds
covering  a variety  of  investment  opportunities.  Five of the funds  from our
Twentieth Century Group that invest primarily in equity securities are described
in this  Prospectus.  Their  investment  objectives are listed on page 2 of this
Prospectus. The other funds are described in separate prospectuses.

    Through its Investor Class of shares,  American  Century offers  investors a
full  line  of  no-load  funds,  investments  that  have  no  sales  charges  or
commissions.

    This Prospectus  gives you information  about the funds that you should know
before investing. Please read this Prospectus carefully and retain it for future
reference.  Additional  information  is included in the  Statement of Additional
Information  dated March 1, 1998,  and filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.  It is incorporated  into this Prospectus by reference.  To obtain a
copy without charge, call or write:


                          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS
                       4500 Main Street * P.O. Box 419200
                Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6200 * 1-800-345-2021
                        International calls: 816-531-5575
                     Telecommunications Device for the Deaf:
                   1-800-634-4113 * In Missouri: 816-444-3485
                        Internet: www.americancentury.com


    Additional  information,  including  this  Prospectus  and the  Statement of
Additional Information,  may be obtained by accessing the Web site maintained by
the SEC (www.sec.gov).

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION,  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

PROSPECTUS                                                                  1

                         INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE FUNDS

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
SELECT FUND

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
HERITAGE FUND

    The Select and  Heritage  funds seek  capital  growth.  The funds  intend to
pursue their  investment  objectives by investing  primarily in common stocks of
companies  that  are  considered  by  management  to  have   better-than-average
prospects for appreciation. As a matter of fundamental policy, 80% of the assets
of the Select fund and 60% of the assets of the  Heritage  fund must be invested
in  securities  of  companies  that have a record of  paying  dividends  or have
committed  themselves to the payment of regular dividends,  or otherwise produce
income.

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
GROWTH FUND

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
ULTRA FUND

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
VISTA FUND

    The Growth,  Ultra and Vista funds seek capital growth.  The funds intend to
pursue their investment  objectives by investing primarily in common stocks that
are  considered  by  management  to  have   better-than-average   prospects  for
appreciation.

                There is no assurance that the funds will achieve
                     their respective investment objectives.

NO  PERSON  IS  AUTHORIZED  BY THE  FUNDS  TO GIVE ANY  INFORMATION  OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN OTHER PRINTED
OR WRITTEN MATERIAL ISSUED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE FUNDS, AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY
ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION.

2      INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES                  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

Investment Objectives of the Funds ........................................    2
Transaction and Operating Expense Table ...................................    4
Financial Highlights ......................................................    5

INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS

Investment Policies of the Funds ..........................................   10
   Growth Equity Funds ....................................................   10
   Select and Heritage ....................................................   10
   Growth, Ultra and Vista ................................................   10

Other Investment Practices, Their Characteristics
and Risks .................................................................   11
   Foreign Securities .....................................................   11
   Forward Currency Exchange Contracts ....................................   11
   Portfolio Turnover .....................................................   12
   Repurchase Agreements ..................................................   12
   Futures and Options ....................................................   12
   Derivative Securities ..................................................   13
   When-Issued Securities .................................................   14
   Rule 144A Securities ...................................................   14
   Investments in Companies
      with Limited Operating History ......................................   14
   Short Sales ............................................................   15
Performance Advertising ...................................................   15

HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

American Century Investments ..............................................   16
Investing in American Century .............................................   16
How to Open an Account ....................................................   16
           By Mail ........................................................   16
           By Wire ........................................................   16
           By Exchange ....................................................   17
           In Person ......................................................   17
      Subsequent Investments ..............................................   17
           By Mail ........................................................   17
           By Telephone ...................................................   17
           By Online Access ...............................................   17
           By Wire ........................................................   17
           In Person ......................................................   17
      Automatic Investment Plan ...........................................   17
How to Exchange from One Account to Another ...............................   18
           By Mail ........................................................   18
           By Telephone ...................................................   18
           By Online Access ...............................................   18
 How to Redeem Shares .....................................................   18
           By Mail ........................................................   18
           By Telephone ...................................................   18
           By Check-A-Month ...............................................   18
           Other Automatic Redemptions ....................................   18
      Redemption Proceeds .................................................   18
           By Check .......................................................   19
           By Wire and ACH ................................................   19
      Special Requirements for Large Redemptions ..........................   19
      Redemption of Shares in Low-Balance Accounts ........................   19
 Signature Guarantee ......................................................   19
 Special Shareholder Services .............................................   20
           Automated Information Line .....................................   20
           Online Account Access ..........................................   20
           Open Order Service .............................................   20
           Tax-Qualified Retirement Plans .................................   20
 Important Policies Regarding Your Investments ............................   21
 Reports to Shareholders ..................................................   21
Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans and
   Institutional Accounts .................................................   22

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW

Share Price ...............................................................   23
   When Share Price Is Determined .........................................   23
   How Share Price Is Determined ..........................................   23
   Where to Find Information About Share Price ............................   24
Distributions .............................................................   24
Taxes .....................................................................   24
   Tax-Deferred Accounts ..................................................   25
   Taxable Accounts .......................................................   25
Management ................................................................   26
   Investment Management ..................................................   26
   Code of Ethics .........................................................   27
   Transfer and Administrative Services ...................................   28
Distribution of Fund Shares ...............................................   28
Further Information About American Century ................................   28

PROSPECTUS                                        TABLE OF CONTENTS         3


                    TRANSACTION AND OPERATING EXPENSE TABLE

                                                              Select, Heritage,
                                                            Growth, Ultra, Vista

SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:

Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases .............................    none

Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends ..................    none

Deferred Sales Load .................................................    none

Redemption Fee(1) ...................................................    none

Exchange Fee ........................................................    none

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES:
 (as a percentage of net assets)

Management Fees(2) ..................................................   1.00%

12b-1 Fees ..........................................................    none

Other Expenses(3) ...................................................   0.00%

Total Fund Operating Expenses .......................................   1.00%

EXAMPLE:

You would pay the following expenses on a                     1 year    $  10
$1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return and           3 years       32
redemption at the end of each time period:                   5 years       55
                                                           10 years       122



(1)  Redemption proceeds sent by wire are subject to a $10 processing fee.

(2)  A  portion  of the  management  fee may be paid by the  funds'  manager  to
     unaffiliated  third parties who provide  recordkeeping  and  administrative
     services that would  otherwise be performed by an affiliate of the manager.
     See " Management-Transfer and Administrative Services," page 28.

(3)  Other  expenses,  which  includes  the fees and expenses  (including  legal
     counsel  fees) of  those  directors  who are not  "interested  persons"  as
     defined in the Investment Company Act, were less than 0.01 of 1% of average
     net assets for the most recent fiscal year.


    The purpose of this table is to help you  understand  the various  costs and
expenses  that you,  as a  shareholder,  will bear  directly  or  indirectly  in
connection  with an  investment  in the class of shares of the funds  offered by
this  Prospectus.  The  example  set forth  above  assumes  reinvestment  of all
dividends and  distributions  and uses a 5% annual rate of return as required by
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

    NEITHER  THE 5% RATE OF  RETURN  NOR THE  EXPENSES  SHOWN  ABOVE  SHOULD  BE
CONSIDERED  INDICATIONS OF PAST OR FUTURE  RETURNS AND EXPENSES.  ACTUAL RETURNS
AND EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.

    The shares offered by this  Prospectus are Investor Class shares and have no
up-front or deferred sales charges,  commissions, or 12b-1 fees. The funds offer
three other classes of shares, primarily to institutional  investors,  that have
different fee  structures  than the Investor  Class.  The  difference in the fee
structures  among the classes is the result of their separate  arrangements  for
shareholder  and  distribution  services and not the result of any difference in
amounts  charged  by  the  manager  for  core  investment   advisory   services.
Accordingly,  the core  investment  advisory  expenses  do not vary by class.  A
difference in fees will result in different  performance  for the other classes.
For additional  information about the various classes,  see "Further Information
About American Century," page 28.

4    TRANSACTION AND OPERATING EXPENSE TABLE     AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                    SELECT

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                   1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991     1990      1989      1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset
Value,
<S>                                <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>   
Beginning of Year ................ $41.52   $39.52    $37.67    $45.76    $39.18    $40.79    $34.19   $35.98    $27.85    $32.69
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------

Income From
Investment Operations

 Net Investment Income ........... 0.15(1)  0.20(1)   0.33(1)    0.40      0.46      0.53      0.63     0.62      1.10      0.64

 Net Realized and
 Unrealized Gain
 (Loss) on Investment
 Transactions .................... 10.51     6.73      4.68     (3.59)     7.94      0.34      8.17    (1.29)     7.74      1.37
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
 Total From
 Investment Operations ........... 10.66     6.93      5.01     (3.19)     8.40      0.87      8.80    (0.67)     8.84      2.01
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Distributions

 From Net Investment Income ...... (0.32)   (0.27)    (0.28)    (0.43)    (0.49)    (0.65)    (0.65)   (1.12)    (0.71)    (0.48)

 From Net Realized Gains on
 Investment Transactions ......... (3.68)   (4.66)    (2.75)    (4.47)    (1.31)    (1.83)    (1.55)     --        --      (6.37)

 In Excess of
 Net Realized Gains ..............    --      --      (0.13)      --      (0.02)      --        --       --        --        --
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
 Total Distributions ............. (4.00)   (4.93)    (3.16)    (4.90)    (1.82)    (2.48)    (2.20)   (1.12)    (0.71)    (6.85)
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Net Asset Value, End of Year ..... $48.18   $41.52    $39.52    $37.67    $45.76    $39.18    $40.79   $34.19    $35.98    $27.85
                                   ======   ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======   ======    ======    ======

 Total Return(2) ................. 27.89%   19.76%    15.02%    (7.37)%   22.20%     1.76%    27.05%   (2.03)%   32.59%     7.31%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating
Expenses
to Average Net Assets ............ 1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
to Average Net Assets ............ 0.33%     0.5%      0.9%      1.0%      1.1%      1.4%      1.7%     1.8%      3.4%      2.2%

Portfolio Turnover Rate ..........  94%      105%      106%      126%       82%       95%       84%      83%       93%      140%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded .. $0.0457  $0.0410   $0.0460    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) ............ $4,769   $4,039    $4,008    $4,278    $5,160    $4,534    $4,163   $2,953    $2,721    $2,367
</TABLE>

(1)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(2)  Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends  and  capital  gains
     distributions, if any.

(3)  Disclosure of average  commission  paid per share of equity security traded
     was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.

PROSPECTUS                                    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS             5


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                   HERITAGE

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31, except as noted.

                                   1997      1996     1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989     1988(1)

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                               <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>  
Beginning of Period ............  $12.24    $11.75   $10.32    $11.03     $9.30     $8.59     $6.55     $8.15     $6.21     $5.00
                                  ------    ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Income From
Investment Operations

 Net Investment Income .........  0.01(2)    --(2)   0.05(2)    0.07      0.07      0.10      0.11      0.10      0.08      0.06

 Net Realized and
 Unrealized Gain
 (Loss) on Investment
 Transactions ..................  3.41       1.15     1.96     (0.21)     2.43      0.72      2.04     (0.94)     1.93      1.16
                                  ------    ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
 Total from
 Investment Operations .........  3.42       1.15     2.01     (0.14)     2.50      0.82      2.15     (0.84)     2.01      1.22
                                  ------    ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Distributions

 From Net Investment Income ....  (0.09)    (0.05)   (0.03)    (0.06)    (0.09)    (0.11)    (0.11)    (0.07)    (0.07)    (0.01)

 From Net Realized Gains on
 Investment Transactions .......  (0.71)    (0.61)   (0.52)    (0.50)    (0.68)      --        --      (0.69)      --        --

 In Excess of Net
 Realized Gains ................      --      --     (0.03)    (0.01)      --        --        --        --        --        --
                                  ------    ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
 Total Distributions ...........  (0.80)    (0.66)   (0.58)    (0.57)    (0.77)    (0.11)    (0.11)    (0.76)    (0.07)    (0.01)
                                  ------    ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Net Asset Value, End of Period .  $14.86    $12.24   $11.75    $10.32    $11.03     $9.30     $8.59     $6.55     $8.15     $6.21
                                  ======    ======   ======    ======    ======     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====

 Total Return(3) ...............  29.56%    10.44%   21.04%    (1.13)%   28.64%     9.65%    33.25%   (11.62)%   32.65%    25.75%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ..........   1.00%     0.99%    0.99%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%   1.00%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Income
to Average Net Assets ..........   0.05%      --      0.5%      0.7%      0.7%      1.1%      1.5%      1.6%      1.3%     1.4%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate ........    69%      122%     121%      136%      116%      119%      146%      127%      159%     130%(4)

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity
Security Traded ................ $0.0436   $0.0420  $0.0420     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)

Net Assets, End
of Period (in millions) ........  $1,321    $1,083   $1,008     $897      $702      $369      $269      $199      $117       $55
</TABLE>

(1)  November 10, 1987 (inception) through October 31, 1988.

(2)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(3)  Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends  and  capital  gains
     distributions,  if any. Total return for periods less than one year are not
     annualized.

(4)  Annualized.

(5)  Disclosure of average  commission  paid per share of equity security traded
     was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.

6      FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                    GROWTH

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                   1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991     1990      1989      1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>   
Beginning of Year ...............  $22.21   $23.88    $22.99    $25.27    $23.64    $22.32    $14.81   $17.44    $12.54    $15.62
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------

Income From
Investment Operations

  Net Investment
  Income (Loss) ................. 0.01(1)  (0.01)(1)  0.08(1)    0.06     0.06     (0.02)     0.04     0.09      0.08      0.30

  Net Realized and
  Unrealized Gain
  (Loss) on Investment
  Transactions ..................  6.07      1.47      4.08      0.48      1.94      1.35      8.47    (2.05)     5.14      0.13
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
  Total from
  Investment Operations .........  6.08      1.46      4.16      0.54      2.00      1.33      8.51    (1.96)     5.22      0.43
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Distributions

  From Net Investment Income ....  (0.18)   (0.07)    (0.05)    (0.06)      --      (0.01)    (0.11)   (0.08)    (0.32)    (0.05)

  From Net Realized Gains
  on Investment Transactions ....  (0.25)   (2.98)    (3.18)    (2.76)    (0.36)      --      (0.89)   (0.59)      --      (3.46)

  In Excess of Net
  Realized Gains ................    --     (0.08)    (0.04)      --      (0.01)      --        --       --        --        --
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
  Total Distributions ...........  (0.43)   (3.13)    (3.27)    (2.82)    (0.37)    (0.01)    (1.00)   (0.67)    (0.32)    (3.51)
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Net Asset Value, End of Year ....  $27.86   $22.21    $23.88    $22.99    $25.27    $23.64    $22.32   $14.81    $17.44    $12.54
                                   ======   ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======   ======    ======    ======

  Total Return(2) ...............  27.85%    8.18%    22.31%     2.66%     8.48%     5.96%    60.64%   (11.72)%  42.74%     3.18%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ...........  1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets ....  0.02%    (0.1)%     0.4%      0.3%      0.2%     (0.1)%     0.2%     0.6%      0.5%      2.4%

Portfolio Turnover Rate .........   75%      122%      141%      100%       94%       53%       69%     118%       98%      143%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity
Security Traded ................. $0.0393  $0.0360   $0.0400    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) ...........  $5,113   $4,765    $5,130    $4,363    $4,641    $4,472    $3,193   $1,697    $1,597    $1,229
</TABLE>

(1)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(2)  Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends  and  capital  gains
     distributions, if any.

(3)  Disclosure of average  commission  paid per share of equity security traded
     was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.


PROSPECTUS                                 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS               7

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                     ULTRA

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                   1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991     1990      1989      1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>  
Beginning of Year ..............   $29.52   $28.03    $21.16    $21.61    $15.46    $15.53     $7.73    $9.63     $6.86     $8.76
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
Income From
Investment Operations

  Net Investment Income
  (Loss) .......................  0.01(1)  (0.05)(1)  (0.07)(1)  (0.03)  (0.09)    (0.05)    (0.03)   (0.03)     0.19     (0.02)

  Net Realized and
  Unrealized Gain
  (Loss) on Investment
  Transactions .................   5.62       2.84     7.58      (0.42)    6.24     (0.02)     7.86    (0.73)     2.58      1.38
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
  Total from
  Investment Operations ........   5.63       2.79     7.51     (0.45)     6.15     (0.07)     7.83    (0.76)     2.77      1.36
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
Distributions

  From Net Investment Income ...    --        --        --        --        --        --        --     (0.19)      --        --

  From Net Realized Gains on
  Investment Transactions ......   (1.69)   (1.19)    (0.64)      --        --        --      (0.03)   (0.95)      --      (3.26)

  In Excess of
  Net Realized Gains ...........     --     (0.11)      --        --        --        --        --       --        --        --
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
  Total Distributions ..........   (1.69)   (1.30)    (0.64)      --        --        --      (0.03)   (1.14)      --      (3.26)
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
Net Asset Value, End of Year ...   $33.46   $29.52    $28.03    $21.16    $21.61    $15.46    $15.53    $7.73     $9.63     $6.86
                                   ======   ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    =====     =====     =====

  Total Return(2) ..............   19.95%   10.79%    36.89%    (2.08)%   39.78%    (0.45)%   101.51%  (9.02)%   40.37%    19.52%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ..........   1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets ...   0.03%    (0.2)%    (0.3)%    (0.1)%    (0.6)%    (0.4)%    (0.5)%   (0.3)%     2.2%     (0.3)%

Portfolio Turnover Rate ........   107%       87%       87%       78%       53%       59%       42%     141%      132%      140%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity
Security Traded ................   $0.0398  $0.0350   $0.0330    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) ..........   $21,695  $18,266   $14,376   $10,344   $8,037    $4,275    $2,148    $330      $347      $258
</TABLE>

(1)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(2)  Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends  and  capital  gains
     distributions, if any.

(3)  Disclosure of average  commission  paid per share of equity security traded
     was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.

8      FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                     VISTA

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                   1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991     1990      1989      1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>  
Beginning of Year ................ $15.68   $15.73    $10.94    $12.24    $11.01    $10.53     $6.28    $8.74     $5.91     $5.73
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----

Income From
Investment Operations

  Net Investment Income
  (Loss) ........................(0.10)(1)  (0.11)(1)  (0.08)(1)  (0.08)  (0.07)     (0.04)    (0.02)   (0.01)    (0.03)     0.01

  Net Realized and
  Unrealized Gain
  (Loss) on Investment
   Transactions .................  0.13      1.09     4.90      0.45      1.95      0.52       4.27     (1.76)     2.87      0.63
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
  Total from
  Investment Operations .........  0.03      0.98     4.82      0.37      1.88      0.48       4.25     (1.77)     2.84      0.64
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
Distributions

  From Net Investment Income ....   --        --        --        --        --        --        --       --      (0.01)      --

  From Net Realized Gains
  on Investment Transactions ....  (1.18)   (1.02)    (0.03)    (1.66)    (0.64)      --        --     (0.69)      --      (0.46)

  In Excess of
  Net Realized Gains ............   --      (0.01)      --      (0.01)    (0.01)      --        --       --        --        --
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
  Total Distributions ...........  (1.18)   (1.03)    (0.03)    (1.67)    (0.65)      --        --     (0.69)    (0.01)    (0.46)
                                   ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
Net Asset Value, End of Year ..... $14.53   $15.68    $15.73    $10.94    $12.24    $11.01    $10.53    $6.28     $8.74     $5.91
                                   ======   ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    =====     =====     =====

  Total Return(2) ................ 0.29%     6.96%    44.20%     4.16%    17.71%     4.55%    67.67%   (22.17)%  48.19%    11.41%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ............ 1.00%     0.99%     0.98%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets ..... (0.73)%  (0.7)%    (0.6)%    (0.8)%    (0.6)%    (0.4)%    (0.3)%   (0.1)%    (0.4)%     0.2%

Portfolio Turnover Rate ..........  96%       91%       89%      111%      133%       87%       92%     103%      125%      145%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded .. $0.0292  $0.0280   $0.0330    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) ............ $1,828   $2,276    $1,676     $792      $847      $830      $622     $341      $264      $206
</TABLE>

(1)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(2)  Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends  and  capital  gains
     distributions, if any.

(3)  Disclosure of average  commission  paid per share of equity security traded
     was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.


PROSPECTUS                                 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                9


                        INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS

 INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE FUNDS

    The funds have adopted certain investment restrictions that are set forth in
the  Statement of Additional  Information.  Those  restrictions,  as well as the
investment objectives of the funds identified on page 2 of this Prospectus,  and
any other investment  policies designated as "fundamental" in this Prospectus or
in  the  Statement  of  Additional   Information,   cannot  be  changed  without
shareholder approval.  The funds have implemented additional investment policies
and  practices  to guide their  activities  in the  pursuit of their  respective
investment  objectives.  These  policies  and  practices,  which  are  described
throughout this Prospectus,  are not designated as fundamental  policies and may
be changed without shareholder approval.

GROWTH EQUITY FUNDS

    All of the funds offered by this Prospectus seek capital growth by investing
in  securities,  primarily  common  stocks,  that meet certain  fundamental  and
technical  standards of selection  (relating  primarily to earnings and revenues
acceleration)    and   have,   in   the   opinion   of   the   funds'   manager,
better-than-average  potential for appreciation.  So long as a sufficient number
of such  securities are available,  the manager  intends to keep the funds fully
invested  in  these  securities  regardless  of the  movement  of  stock  prices
generally.  In most  circumstances,  the  funds'  actual  level of cash and cash
equivalents  will fluctuate  between 0% and 10% of total assets with 90% to 100%
of their assets committed to equity and equity equivalent investments. The funds
may purchase  securities  only of companies that have a record of at least three
years of continuous operation.

SELECT AND HERITAGE

    Securities of companies  chosen for the Select and Heritage funds are chosen
primarily for their growth potential.  Additionally,  as a matter of fundamental
policy,  80% of the  assets  of the  Select  fund and 60% of the  assets  of the
Heritage fund must be invested in securities of companies  that have a record of
paying  dividends,  or have  committed  themselves  to the  payment  of  regular
dividends, or otherwise produce income. The remaining 20% of the Select fund and
40% of the Heritage fund may be invested in any otherwise permissible securities
that the  manager  believes  will  contribute  to the funds'  stated  investment
objectives.  The  income  payments  of equity  securities  are only a  secondary
consideration; therefore, the income return that Select and Heritage provide may
not be  significant.  Otherwise,  Select and Heritage follow the same investment
techniques described below for Growth, Ultra and Vista.

    Since  Select is one of our  larger  funds  and  Heritage  is  substantially
smaller,  Select will  invest in shares of larger  companies  with larger  share
trading  volume,  and  Heritage  will tend to invest in smaller  companies  with
smaller share trading volume. However, the two funds are not mutually exclusive,
and a given  security may be owned by both funds.  For the reasons stated in the
next  section,  it should be expected  that  Heritage  will be more volatile and
subject to greater short-term risk and long-term opportunity than Select.

    Because of its size, and because it invests primarily in securities that pay
dividends or are committed to the payment of  dividends,  Select may be expected
to be the least volatile of the funds described in this Prospectus.

GROWTH, ULTRA AND VISTA

    Management selects for the portfolios of the Growth,  Ultra and Vista funds,
securities  of companies  whose  earnings and revenue  trends meet  management's
standards of selection.

    Growth and Ultra  generally  invest in  large-sized  companies,  while Vista
invests in medium-sized and smaller companies.

    The size of companies in which a fund invests tends to give each fund its
own characteristics of


10  INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


volatility and risk. These  differences come about because  developments such as
new or improved products or methods, which would be relatively  insignificant to
a large company, may have a substantial impact on the earnings and revenues of a
small  company  and create a greater  demand and a higher  value for its shares.
However,  a new  product  failure,  which  could  readily be absorbed by a large
company,  can  cause a rapid  decline  in the  value of the  shares of a smaller
company.  Hence, it could be expected that funds investing in smaller  companies
would be more volatile than funds investing in larger companies.


OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES,
THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS

    For additional information,  see "Additional Investment Restrictions" in the
Statement of Additional Information.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

    Each of the  funds  may  invest an  unlimited  amount  of its  assets in the
securities of foreign  issuers,  primarily  from developed  markets,  when these
securities meet its standards of selection.  The funds may make such investments
either  directly in foreign  securities,  or by purchasing  Depositary  Receipts
("DRs") for foreign securities. DRs are securities listed on exchanges or quoted
in the  over-the-counter  market in one  country  but  represent  the  shares of
issuers  domiciled in other  countries.  DRs may be  sponsored  or  unsponsored.
Direct  investments  in  foreign  securities  may  be  made  either  on  foreign
securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets.

    Subject to their individual  investment  objectives and policies,  the funds
may invest in common stocks,  convertible  securities,  preferred stocks, bonds,
notes and other debt  securities  of foreign  issuers,  and debt  securities  of
foreign  governments and their agencies.  The funds will limit their purchase of
debt securities to investment-grade obligations.

    Investments in foreign securities may present certain risks, including those
resulting from  fluctuations in currency  exchange rates,  future  political and
economic  developments,  clearance and settlement risk, reduced  availability of
public information concerning issuers, and the fact that foreign issuers are not
generally  subject to  uniform  accounting,  auditing  and  financial  reporting
standards or to other regulatory practices and requirements  comparable to those
applicable to domestic issuers.

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

    Some of the  foreign  securities  held by the  funds may be  denominated  in
foreign  currencies.  Other securities,  such as DRs, may be denominated in U.S.
dollars,  but have a value that is  dependent  on the  performance  of a foreign
security,  as valued in the currency of its home country. As a result, the value
of a fund's  portfolio may be affected by changes in the exchange  rates between
foreign  currencies  and the U.S.  dollar,  as well as by  changes in the market
values of the  securities  themselves.  The  performance  of foreign  currencies
relative  to the U.S.  dollar may be a factor in the  overall  performance  of a
fund.

    To protect against adverse movements in ex- change rates between currencies,
the funds may, for hedging purposes only,  enter into forward currency  exchange
contracts.  A forward currency exchange contract  obligates the fund to purchase
or sell a specific currency at a future date at a specific price.

    A fund may elect to enter into a forward  currency  exchange  contract  with
respect to a specific  purchase  or sale of a security,  or with  respect to the
fund's portfolio positions generally.

    By entering into a forward  currency  exchange  contract with respect to the
specific  purchase or sale of a security  denominated in a foreign  currency,  a
fund can "lock in" an exchange rate between the trade and  settlement  dates for
that purchase or sale.  This practice is sometimes  referred to as  "transaction
hedging." Each fund may enter into transaction hedging contracts with respect to
all or a substantial portion of its foreign securities trades.

    When the manager  believes  that a particular  currency may decline in value
compared to the U.S.  dollar,  a fund may enter into forward  currency  exchange
contracts  to sell the value of some or all of the fund's  portfolio  securities
either  denominated in, or whose value is tied to, that currency.  This practice
is  sometimes  referred to as  "portfolio  hedging." A fund may not enter into a
portfolio hedging transaction where it


PROSPECTUS                                INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS    11


would be  obligated  to deliver an amount of foreign  currency  in excess of the
aggregate value of its portfolio  securities or other assets  denominated in, or
whose value is tied to, that currency.

    Each  fund  will  make  use  of  portfolio  hedging  to  the  extent  deemed
appropriate by the manager.  However,  it is anticipated  that a fund will enter
into portfolio hedges much less frequently than transaction hedges.

    If a fund enters into a forward currency exchange  contract,  the fund, when
required,  will  instruct  its  custodian  bank  to  segregate  cash  or  liquid
high-grade securities in a separate account in an amount sufficient to cover its
obligation under the contract.  Those assets will be valued at market daily, and
if  the  value  of  the  segregated  securities  declines,  additional  cash  or
securities  will be added so that the value of the  account is not less than the
amount of the fund's commitment. At any given time, no more than 10% of a fund's
assets will be committed to a segregated  account in connection  with  portfolio
hedging transactions.

    Predicting the relative future values of currencies is very  difficult,  and
there is no  assurance  that any  attempt  to  protect  a fund  against  adverse
currency  movements through the use of forward currency exchange  contracts will
be successful. In addition, the use of forward currency exchange contracts tends
to limit the  potential  gains that might  result from a positive  change in the
relationships between the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

    The  portfolio  turnover  rates of the  funds  are  shown  in the  financial
information on pages 5-9 of this Prospectus.

    Investment  decisions  to  purchase  and sell  securities  are  based on the
anticipated contribution of the security in question to a fund's objectives. The
manager  believes  that the rate of  portfolio  turnover is  irrelevant  when it
determines a change is in order to achieve those objectives and accordingly, the
annual portfolio turnover rate cannot be anticipated.

    The  portfolio  turnover of each fund may be higher than other  mutual funds
with   similar   investment   objectives.   Higher   turnover   would   generate
correspondingly  greater brokerage  commissions,  which is a cost that the funds
pay directly. Portfolio turnover may also affect the character of capital gains,
if any,  realized and distributed by a fund since  short-term  capital gains are
taxable as ordinary income.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

    Each fund may invest in repurchase agreements when such transactions present
an attractive  short-term return on cash that is not otherwise  committed to the
purchase of securities pursuant to the investment policies of that fund.

    A  repurchase  agreement  occurs  when,  at the time the fund  purchases  an
interest-bearing  obligation,  the seller (a bank or a broker-dealer  registered
under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934)  agrees  to  repurchase  it on a
specified  date in the future at an  agreed-upon  price.  The  repurchase  price
reflects  an  agreed-upon  interest  rate  during the time the  fund's  money is
invested in the security.

    Since  the  security  purchased  constitutes  security  for  the  repurchase
obligation,  a repurchase  agreement can be considered a loan  collateralized by
the security purchased.  The fund's risk is the ability of the seller to pay the
agreed-upon repurchase price on the repurchase date. If the seller defaults, the
fund may incur costs in  disposing  of the  collateral,  which would  reduce the
amount realized  thereon.  If the seller seeks relief under the bankruptcy laws,
the  disposition of the collateral may be delayed or limited.  To the extent the
value of the security decreases, the fund could experience a loss.

    The funds will limit repurchase agreement  transactions to securities issued
by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities,  and will enter into
such  transactions  with  those  banks and  securities  dealers  who are  deemed
creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the funds' Board of Directors.

    No fund will  invest  more than 15% of its assets in  repurchase  agreements
maturing in more than seven days.

FUTURES AND OPTIONS

    The funds may invest in financial futures  contracts and options thereon.  A
financial  futures  contract  is an  agreement  to take or  make  delivery  of a
financial  asset or an amount of cash, as specified in the applicable  contract,
at some time in the future.  The value of the asset or cash to be  delivered  at
the end of the con-


12    INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS               AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


tract period is calculated based upon the difference in value between the making
of the  contract  and the  end of the  contract  period  of a  financial  index,
indicator, or security underlying the futures contract.

    Rather  than  actually  purchasing  a  financial  asset  (e.g.,  a long-  or
short-term  treasury security) or all of the securities  contained in a specific
index (e.g., the S&P 500), the manager may choose to purchase a futures contract
which reflects the value of such  securities or index.  For example,  an S&P 500
futures  contract  reflects the value of the underlying  companies that comprise
the S&P 500 Composite  Stock Price Index.  If the aggregate  market value of the
index securities increases or decreases during the contract period of an S&P 500
futures  contract,  the amount of cash to be paid to the contract  holder at the
end of the period would  correspondingly  increase or decrease. As a result, the
manager is able to expose to the  market  cash that is held by the funds to meet
anticipated redemptions or for future investment opportunities.  Because futures
contracts  generally settle more quickly than their underlying  securities,  the
manager believes that the use of futures and options thereon allows the funds to
be fully invested while maintaining the needed liquidity.

    The funds will not  purchase  leveraged  futures.  When a fund enters into a
futures  contract,  it  must  make  a  deposit  of  cash  or  high-quality  debt
securities,  known as "initial  margin," as partial security for its performance
under the  contract.  As the value of the  contract  fluctuates,  a party to the
contract may be required to make additional margin payments, known as "variation
margin," to cover a portion of such  fluctuation.  A fund will also deposit in a
segregated  account with its custodian bank cash or high-quality debt securities
in an amount equal to the fund's payment  obligation under the futures contract,
less any initial or variation  margin.  For options sold, a fund will  segregate
cash or  high-quality  debt  securities  equal to the  value  of the  securities
underlying the option unless the option is otherwise covered.

DERIVATIVE SECURITIES

    To the extent permitted by its investment  objectives and policies,  each of
the funds may invest in securities that are commonly referred to as "derivative"
securities.  Generally,  a derivative  is a financial  arrangement  the value of
which is based on, or "derived" from, a traditional  security,  asset, or market
index.   Certain  derivative   securities  are  more  accurately   described  as
"index/structured"   securities.   Index/structured  securities  are  derivative
securities whose value or performance is linked to other equity securities (such
as depositary receipts),  currencies, interest rates, indices or other financial
indicators ("reference indices").

    Some   "derivatives"  such  as   mortgage-related   and  other  asset-backed
securities are in many respects like any other investment,  although they may be
more volatile or less liquid than more traditional debt securities.

    There are many different types of derivatives and many different ways to use
them. Futures and options are commonly used for traditional  hedging purposes to
attempt to protect a fund from exposure to changing  interest rates,  securities
prices,  or  currency  exchange  rates  and for cash  management  purposes  as a
low-cost method of gaining  exposure to a particular  securities  market without
investing directly in those securities.

    No fund may invest in a derivative  security  unless the reference  index or
the  instrument to which it relates is an eligible  investment for the fund. For
example,  a security whose  underlying value is linked to the price of oil would
not be a permissible  investment because the funds may not invest in oil and gas
leases or futures.

    The return on a derivative security may increase or decrease, depending upon
changes in the reference index or instrument to which it relates.

    There  are  a  range  of  risks  associated  with  derivative   investments,
including:

    *    the risk that the underlying  security,  interest rate, market index or
         other  financial  asset will not move in the  direction  the  portfolio
         manager anticipates;

    *    the possibility that there may be no liquid
         secondary market, or the possibility that price fluctuation  limits may
         be imposed by the  exchange,  either of which may make it  difficult or
         impossible to close out a position when desired;


PROSPECTUS                          INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS           13


    *    the risk that adverse price  movements in an instrument can result in a
         loss substantially greater than a fund's initial investment; and

    *    the risk that the counterparty will fail to
         perform its obligations.

    The  Board  of  Directors  has  approved  the  manager's   policy  regarding
investments in derivative securities. That policy specifies factors that must be
considered in connection  with a purchase of derivative  securities.  The policy
also establishes a committee that must review certain proposed  purchases before
the  purchases  can be  made.  The  manager  will  report  on fund  activity  in
derivative securities to the Board of Directors as necessary.  In addition,  the
Board will review the manager's policy for investments in derivative  securities
annually.

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES

    Each of the funds may  sometimes  purchase  new  issues of  securities  on a
when-issued  basis  without  limit  when,  in the opinion of the  manager,  such
purchases  will  further the  investment  objectives  of the fund.  The price of
when-issued  securities is established at the time the commitment to purchase is
made. Delivery of and payment for these securities typically occur 15 to 45 days
after the commitment to purchase. Market rates of interest on debt securities at
the time of  delivery  may be higher or lower than those  contracted  for on the
when-issued security.  Accordingly, the value of such security may decline prior
to delivery,  which could  result in a loss to the fund. A separate  account for
each fund consisting of cash or high-quality liquid debt securities in an amount
at least equal to the when-issued commitments will be established and maintained
with the custodian. No income will accrue to the fund prior to delivery.

RULE 144A SECURITIES

    The funds may, from time to time,  purchase Rule 144A  securities  when they
present  attractive  investment  opportunities  that  otherwise  meet the funds'
criteria for selection.  Rule 144A  securities are securities that are privately
placed with and traded among qualified  institutional  investors rather than the
general  public.  Although  Rule  144A  securities  are  considered  "restricted
securities," they are not necessarily illiquid.

    With respect to securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, the staff of
the Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that the liquidity
of such securities in the portfolio of a fund offering redeemable  securities is
a question of fact for the Board of Directors to determine,  such  determination
to be based upon a consideration  of the readily  available  trading markets and
the review of any contractual  restrictions.  The staff also acknowledges  that,
while the Board retains ultimate  responsibility,  it may delegate this function
to the manager. Accordingly, the Board has established guidelines and procedures
for  determining  the  liquidity of Rule 144A  securities  and has delegated the
day-to-day  function of determining the liquidity of Rule 144A securities to the
manager.  The Board retains the  responsibility to monitor the implementation of
the guidelines and procedures it has adopted.

    Since the  secondary  market  for such  securities  is  limited  to  certain
qualified  institutional  investors,  the  liquidity of such  securities  may be
limited accordingly and a fund may, from time to time, hold a Rule 144A security
that is illiquid. In such an event, the funds' manager will consider appropriate
remedies to minimize  the effect on such  fund's  liquidity.  No fund may invest
more than 15% of its assets in illiquid  securities  (securities that may not be
sold within seven days at  approximately  the price used in determining  the net
asset value of fund shares).

INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES
WITH LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY

    The funds may invest in the  securities  of issuers with  limited  operating
history.  The manager considers an issuer to have a limited operating history if
that issuer has a record of less than three years of continuous operation.

    Investments  in  securities  of issuers with limited  operating  history may
involve greater risks than investments in securities of more mature issuers.  By
their  nature,  such issuers  present  limited  operating  history and financial
information upon which the manager may base its investment decision on behalf of
the funds. In addition,  financial and other information regarding such issuers,
when available, may be incomplete or inaccurate.


14      INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS        AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


    Select,  Growth and Ultra will not invest more than 5% of their total assets
in the  securities  of issuers  with less than a three-year  operating  history.
Vista and  Heritage  will not invest more than 10% of their total  assets in the
securities of issuers with less than a three-year operating history. The manager
will  consider  periods of capital  formation,  incubation,  consolidation,  and
research and development in determining whether a particular issuer has a record
of three years of continuous operation.

SHORT SALES

    A fund may engage in short sales if, at the time of the short sale, the fund
owns or has the right to acquire securities equivalent in kind and amount to the
securities being sold short. Such  transactions  allow the fund to hedge against
price fluctuations by locking in a sale price for securities it does not wish to
sell immediately.

    A fund may make a short sale when it wants to sell the security it owns at a
current  attractive  price, but also wishes to defer recognition of gain or loss
for federal  income tax purposes and for purposes of  satisfying  certain  tests
applicable to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code and
Regulations.

PERFORMANCE ADVERTISING

    From  time  to  time,  the  funds  may  advertise   performance  data.  Fund
performance  may be shown by presenting  one or more  performance  measurements,
including  cumulative  total return or average  annual total return,  and yield.
Performance  data may be quoted  separately  for the Investor  Class and for the
other classes.

    Cumulative  total  return data is computed by  considering  all  elements of
return,  including  reinvestment  of dividends and capital gains  distributions,
over a stated  period of time.  Average  annual  total return is  determined  by
computing  the annual  compound  return over a stated  period of time that would
have  produced  the fund's  cumulative  total return over the same period if the
fund's performance had remained constant throughout.

    A quotation of yield  reflects a fund's  income over a stated period of time
expressed as a percentage of the fund's share price.

    Yields are calculated  according to accounting methods that are standardized
in  accordance  with SEC  rules  for all stock  and bond  funds.  Because  yield
accounting methods differ from the methods used for other accounting purposes, a
fund's yield may not equal the income paid on its shares or the income  reported
in the fund's financial statements.

    The funds may also include in advertisements data comparing performance with
the performance of non-related  investment media,  published  editorial comments
and performance  rankings compiled by independent  organizations (such as Lipper
Analytical  Services or  Donoghue's  Money Fund  Report) and  publications  that
monitor the performance of mutual funds.  Performance  information may be quoted
numerically  or may be presented  in a table,  graph or other  illustration.  In
addition,  fund  performance  may be  compared to  well-known  indices of market
performance  including  the  Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index and the Dow Jones
Industrial Average.  Fund performance may also be compared, on a relative basis,
to other funds in our fund family. This relative comparison,  which may be based
upon  historical  or  expected  fund  performance,   volatility  or  other  fund
characteristics,  may be presented  numerically,  graphically  or in text.  Fund
performance may also be combined or blended with other funds in our fund family,
and that combined or blended  performance may be compared to the same indices to
which individual funds may be compared.

    All performance  information advertised by the funds is historical in nature
and is not intended to represent or guarantee future results.  The value of fund
shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.


PROSPECTUS                        INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS             15



                              HOW TO INVEST WITH
                         AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

    The funds  offered by this  Prospectus  are a part of the  American  Century
Investments  family  of  mutual  funds.  Our  family  provides  a full  range of
investment  opportunities,  from  the  aggressive  equity  growth  funds  in our
Twentieth  Century Group,  to the fixed income funds in our Benham Group, to the
moderate risk and specialty  funds in our American  Century  Group.  Please call
1-800-345-2021  for a  brochure  or  prospectuses  for the  other  funds  in the
American Century Investments family.

    To reduce  expenses and  demonstrate  respect for our  environment,  we have
initiated a project  through which we will  eliminate  duplicate  copies of most
financial  reports and  prospectuses  to most  households  and  deliver  account
statements to most households in a single envelope,  even if they have more than
one  account.  If you would like  additional  copies of  financial  reports  and
prospectuses or separate mailing of account statements, please call us.

INVESTING IN AMERICAN CENTURY

    The  following  section  explains how to invest in American  Century  funds,
including purchases, redemptions,  exchanges and special services. You will find
more detail about doing  business with us by referring to the Investor  Services
Guide that you will receive when you open an account.

    If  you  own  or  are   considering   purchasing   fund  shares  through  an
employer-sponsored  retirement  plan or through a bank,  broker-dealer  or other
financial  intermediary,  the  following  sections,  as well as the  information
contained  in our Investor  Services  Guide,  may not apply to you.  Please read
"Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans and Institutional Accounts," page 22.

HOW TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT

    To open an account,  you must complete and sign an  application,  furnishing
your  taxpayer  identification  number.  (You must also certify  whether you are
subject to  withholding  for failing to report  income to the IRS.)  Investments
received without a certified taxpayer identification number will be returned.

    The minimum investment is $2,500 [$1,000 for IRA and Uniform Gifts/Transfers
to Minors Acts  ("UGMA/UTMA")  accounts].  These  minimums will be waived if you
establish an automatic investment plan to your account that is the equivalent of
at least $50 per month. See "Automatic Investment Plan," page 17.

    The  minimum  investment  requirements  may be  different  for some types of
retirement  accounts.  Call one of our  Investor  Services  Representatives  for
information  on  our  retirement  plans,  which  are  available  for  individual
investors or for those investing through their employers.

    Please note:  If you register  your account as belonging to multiple  owners
(e.g., as joint  tenants),  you must provide us with specific  authorization  on
your  application  in order for us to accept  written or telephone  instructions
from  a  single  owner.  Otherwise,  all  owners  will  have  to  agree  to  any
transactions  that involve the account  (whether the  transaction  request is in
writing or over the telephone).

    You may invest in the following ways:

BY MAIL

    Send a  completed  application  and  check or money  order  payable  in U.S.
dollars to American Century Investments.

BY WIRE

    You may make your initial  investment by wiring funds.  To do so, call us or
mail  a  completed   application  and  provide  your  bank  with  the  following
information:

(*)  RECEIVING BANK AND ROUTING NUMBER:

   Commerce Bank, N.A. (101000019)

(*)  BENEFICIARY (BNF):

   American Century Services Corporation

   4500 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri 64111

(*)  BENEFICIARY ACCOUNT NUMBER (BNF ACCT):

   2804918


16 HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


(*)  REFERENCE FOR BENEFICIARY (RFB):

   American  Century  account number into which you are investing.  If more than
   one, leave blank and see Bank to Bank Information below.

(*)  ORIGINATOR TO BENEFICIARY (OBI):

   Name and address of owner of account into which you are investing.

(*)  BANK TO BANK INFORMATION

   (BBI OR FREE FORM TEXT):

    *    Taxpayer identification or Social Security
         number.

    *    If more than one account,  account numbers and amount to be invested in
         each account.

    *    Current tax year, previous tax year or rollover  designation if an IRA.
         Specify  whether  Traditional  IRA, Roth IRA,  Education IRA,  SEP-IRA,
         SARSEP-IRA, SIMPLE Employer or SIMPLE Employee.

BY EXCHANGE

    Call 1-800-345-2021 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time to get information on
opening an account by exchanging from another American Century account. See page
18 for more information on exchanges.

IN PERSON

    If you prefer to work with a representative  in person,  please visit one of
our Investor Centers, located at:

    4500 Main Street 
    Kansas City, Missouri 64111

    4917 Town Center Drive 
    Leawood, Kansas 66211

    1665 Charleston Road 
    Mountain View, California 94043

    2000 S. Colorado Blvd. 
    Denver, Colorado 80222

SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENTS

    Subsequent  investments  may  be  made  by an  automatic  bank,  payroll  or
government direct deposit (see "Automatic Investment Plan," this page) or by any
of  the  methods  below.  The  minimum  investment  requirement  for  subsequent
investments:  $250 for checks submitted without the investment slip portion of a
previous  statement  or  confirmation,  $50 for all  other  types of  subsequent
investments.

BY MAIL

    When making subsequent  investments,  enclose your check with the investment
slip portion of a previous statement or confirmation.  If the investment slip is
not available, indicate your name, address and account number on your check or a
separate  piece of paper.  (Please  be aware  that the  investment  minimum  for
subsequent investments is higher without an investment slip.)

BY TELEPHONE

    Once your account is open, you may make investments by telephone if you have
authorized us (by choosing "Full Services" on your  application) to draw on your
bank  account.  You may  call an  Investor  Services  Representative  or use our
Automated Information Line.

BY ONLINE ACCESS

    Once  your  account  is open,  you may make  investments  online if you have
authorized us (by choosing "Full Services" on your  application) to draw on your
bank account.

BY WIRE

    You may make  subsequent  investments  by  wire.  Follow  the wire  transfer
instructions on this page and indicate your account number.

IN PERSON

    You  may  make  subsequent  investments  in  person  at one of our  Investor
Centers. The locations of our four Investor Centers are listed on this page.

AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN

    You may  elect on your  application  to make  investments  automatically  by
authorizing us to draw on your bank account regularly.  Such investments must be
at least the  equivalent  of $50 per  month.  You also may  choose an  automatic
payroll or government  direct  deposit.  If you are  establishing a new account,
check the appropriate box under  "Automatic  Investments" on your application to
receive  more  information.  If you  would  like to add a direct  deposit  to an
existing account, please call one of our Investor Services Representatives.


PROSPECTUS          HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS          17


HOW TO EXCHANGE FROM ONE ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER

    As long as you meet any minimum  investment  requirements,  you may exchange
your fund  shares to our other  funds up to six times per year per  account.  An
exchange  request will be processed as of the same day it is received,  if it is
received  before the funds' net asset values are  calculated,  which is one hour
prior to the  close of the New York  Stock  Exchange  for  funds  issued  by the
American Century Target  Maturities  Trust, and at the close of the Exchange for
all of our other funds. See "When Share Price is Determined," page 23.

    For any single exchange,  the shares of each fund being acquired must have a
value of at least $100.  However, we will allow investors to set up an Automatic
Exchange Plan between any two funds in the amount of at least $50 per month. See
our Investor Services Guide for further information about exchanges.

    If, in any 90-day period,  the total of your exchanges and your  redemptions
from any one account  exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the fund's assets,
further  exchanges  will be subject to special  requirements  to comply with our
policy on large redemptions.  See "Special  Requirements for Large Redemptions,"
page 19.

BY MAIL

    You may direct us in writing  to  exchange  your  shares  from one  American
Century account to another. For additional information,  please see our Investor
Services Guide.

BY TELEPHONE

    You can make exchanges over the telephone  (either with an Investor Services
Representative or using our Automated Information Line--see page 20) if you have
authorized  us to  accept  telephone  instructions.  You can  authorize  this by
selecting "Full Services" on your application or by calling us at 1-800-345-2021
to get the appropriate form.

BY ONLINE ACCESS

    You  can  make  exchanges  online  if  you  have  authorized  us  to  accept
instructions  over the  Internet.  You can  authorize  this by  selecting  "Full
Services"  on your  application  or by calling us at  1-800-345-2021  to get the
appropriate form.

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

    We will  redeem or "buy back" your shares at any time.  Redemptions  will be
made at the next net asset value determined after a complete  redemption request
is received. For large redemptions,  please read "Special Requirements for Large
Redemptions," on page 19.

    Please note that a request to redeem shares in an IRA or 403(b) plan must be
accompanied  by an  executed  IRS  Form  W4-P  and a reason  for  withdrawal  as
specified by the IRS.

BY MAIL

    Your  written  instructions  to  redeem  shares  may  be  made  either  by a
redemption  form,  which we will  send you upon  request,  or by a letter to us.
Certain  redemptions  may require a signature  guarantee.  Please see "Signature
Guarantee," page 19.

BY TELEPHONE

    If you have authorized us to accept telephone  instructions,  you may redeem
your shares by calling an Investor Services Representative.

BY CHECK-A-MONTH

    If you have at least a  $10,000  balance  in your  account,  you may  redeem
shares by  Check-A-Month.  A  Check-A-Month  plan  automatically  redeems enough
shares each month to provide  you with a check in an amount you choose  (minimum
$50). To set up a Check-A-Month  plan, please call and request our Check-A-Month
brochure.

OTHER AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS

    If you have at least a $10,000  balance  in your  account,  you may elect to
make redemptions automatically by authorizing us to send funds to you or to your
account  at  a  bank  or  other  financial  institution.  To  set  up  automatic
redemptions, call one of our Investor Services Representatives.

REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

    Please  note that  shortly  after a  purchase  of shares is made by check or
electronic  draft (also known as an ACH draft) from your bank, we may wait up to
15 days or longer to send  redemption  proceeds (to allow your purchase funds to
clear). No interest is paid on


18 HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


the  redemption  proceeds  after the  redemption  is  processed  but before your
redemption proceeds are sent.

    Redemption proceeds may be sent to you in one of the following ways:

BY CHECK

    Ordinarily,  all  redemption  checks will be made payable to the  registered
owner of the shares and will be mailed only to the  address of record.  For more
information, please refer to our Investor Services Guide.

BY WIRE AND ACH

    You may authorize us to transmit  redemption  proceeds by wire or ACH. These
services will be effective 15 days after we receive the authorization.

    Your bank will usually receive wired funds within 48 hours of  transmission.
Funds  transferred  by ACH may be received up to seven days after  transmission.
Wired  funds  are  subject  to a $10 fee to cover  bank wire  charges,  which is
deducted from redemption proceeds.  Once the funds are transmitted,  the time of
receipt and the funds' availability are not under our control.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LARGE REDEMPTIONS

    We have  elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the  Investment  Company
Act,  which  obligates  each  fund  make  certain   redemptions  in  cash.  This
requirement  to  pay  redemptions  in  cash  applies  to  situations  where  one
shareholder  redeems,  during any 90-day period, up to the lesser of $250,000 or
1% of the assets of the fund. Although  redemptions in excess of this limitation
will  also  normally  be paid in  cash,  we  reserve  the  right  under  unusual
circumstances  to honor these  redemptions by making payment in whole or in part
in readily marketable securities (a "redemption-in-kind").

    If payment is made in  securities,  the  securities  will be selected by the
fund,  will be valued in the same manner as they are in computing the fund's net
asset value and will be provided without prior notice.

    If your redemption would exceed this limit and you would like to avoid being
paid in  securities,  please  provide us with an  unconditional  instruction  to
redeem at least 15 days prior to the date on which the redemption transaction is
to occur.  The instruction must specify the dollar amount or number of shares to
be redeemed and the date of the  transaction.  This  minimizes the effect of the
redemption on the fund and its remaining shareholders.

    Despite the funds' right to redeem fund shares through a redemption-in-kind,
we do not expect to exercise  this  option  unless a fund has an  unusually  low
level  of cash to meet  redemptions  and/or  is  experiencing  unusually  strong
demands for its cash.  Such a demand might be caused,  for  example,  by extreme
market conditions that result in an abnormally high level of redemption requests
concentrated in a short period of time.  Absent these or similar  circumstances,
we expect  redemptions in excess of $250,000 to be paid in cash in any fund with
assets of more than $50 million if total redemptions from any one account in any
90-day period do not exceed one-half of 1% of the total assets of the fund.

REDEMPTION OF SHARES IN  LOW-BALANCE ACCOUNTS

    Whenever  the  shares  held in an  account  have a value  of less  than  the
required  minimum,  a letter will be sent advising you to either bring the value
of the shares held in the account up to the minimum or to establish an automatic
investment  that is the  equivalent of at least $50 per month.  If action is not
taken within 90 days of the letter's  date,  the shares held in the account will
be redeemed and the proceeds from the  redemption  will be sent by check to your
address of record. We reserve the right to increase the investment minimums.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

    To protect  your  accounts  from fraud,  some  transactions  will  require a
signature guarantee.  Which transactions will require a signature guarantee will
depend on which  service  options  you elect  when you open  your  account.  For
example,  if you choose "In  Writing  Only," a signature  guarantee  is required
when:

    *    redeeming more than $25,000; or

    *    establishing or increasing a Check-A-Month or automatic transfer on an
         existing account.

PROSPECTUS          HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS         19


    You can obtain a signature  guarantee from a bank or trust  company,  credit
union,  broker-dealer,  securities  exchange or association,  clearing agency or
savings association, as defined by federal law.

    For a more in-depth explanation of our signature guarantee policy, or if you
live outside the United  States and would like to know how to obtain a signature
guarantee, please consult our Investor Services Guide.

    We reserve the right to require a signature guarantee on any transaction, or
to change this policy at any time.

SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

    We offer  several  service  options to make your  account  easier to manage.
These are listed on the account  application.  Please make note of these options
and  elect  the ones  that are  appropriate  for you.  Be aware  that the  "Full
Services" option offers you the most flexibility. You will find more information
about each of these service options in our Investor Services Guide.

    Our special shareholder services include:

AUTOMATED INFORMATION LINE

    We offer an Automated  Information  Line, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
at 1-800-345-8765.  By calling the Automated Information Line, you may listen to
fund prices,  yields and total return  figures.  You may also use the  Automated
Information  Line to make  investments  into your accounts (if we have your bank
information  on file) and  obtain  your  share  balance,  value and most  recent
transactions.  If you have authorized us to accept telephone  instructions,  you
also may exchange shares from one fund to another via the Automated  Information
Line.  Redemption  instructions  cannot be given via the  Automated  Information
Line.

ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS

    You  may   contact   us  24   hours   a  day,   seven   days  a   week,   at
www.americancentury.com  to access daily share prices,  receive updates on major
market indices and view historical performance of your fund. If you select "Full
Services" on your application,  you can use your personal access code and Social
Security  number  to view  your  account  balance  and  account  activity,  make
subsequent  investments  from your bank account or exchange shares from one fund
to another.

OPEN ORDER SERVICE

    Through our open order  service,  you may  designate a price at which to buy
shares of a variable-priced fund by exchange from one of our money market funds,
or a price at which to sell shares of a variable-priced  fund by exchange to one
of our money market funds.  The  designated  purchase  price must be equal to or
lower, or the designated sale price equal to or higher, than the variable-priced
fund's net asset value at the time the order is placed.  If the designated price
is  met  within  90  calendar   days,  we  will  execute  your  exchange   order
automatically at that price (or better). Open orders not executed within 90 days
will be canceled.

    If the fund you have selected  deducts a distribution  from its share price,
your order  price will be  adjusted  accordingly  so the  distribution  does not
inadvertently  trigger an open order transaction on your behalf. If you close or
re-register  the  account  from which the shares are to be  redeemed,  your open
order will be canceled.

    Because of their time-sensitive nature, open order transactions are accepted
only by  telephone  or in person.  These  transactions  are  subject to exchange
limitations  described  in  each  fund's  prospectus,  except  that  orders  and
cancellations  received  before 2 p.m.  Central time are effective the same day,
and orders or cancellations received after 2 p.m. Central time are effective the
next business day.

TAX-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS

    Each fund is available for your tax-deferred  retirement plan. Call or write
us and request the appropriate forms for:

    *    Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs);

    *    403(b)plans for employees of public school
         systems and non-profit organizations; or

    *    Profit sharing plans and pension plans for
         corporations and other employers.

    If your IRA and  403(b)  accounts  do not total  $10,000,  each  account  is
subject to an annual $10 fee, up to a total of $30 per year.

    You can also transfer your  tax-deferred  plan to us from another company or
custodian. Call or write us for a Request to Transfer form.


20 HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


IMPORTANT POLICIES REGARDING YOUR INVESTMENTS

    Every  account is subject to policies  that could  affect  your  investment.
Please refer to the Investor  Services Guide for further  information  about the
policies discussed below, as well as further detail about the services we offer

  (1)    We reserve the right for any reason to suspend  the  offering of shares
         for a  period  of  time,  or to  reject  any  specific  purchase  order
         (including  purchases  by  exchange).  Additionally,  purchases  may be
         refused  if, in the  opinion  of the  manager,  they are of a size that
         would disrupt the management of the fund.

  (2)    We  reserve  the  right  to  make  changes  to  any  stated  investment
         requirements,  including those that relate to purchases,  transfers and
         redemptions.  In addition,  we may also alter,  add to or terminate any
         investor   services  and   privileges.   Any  changes  may  affect  all
         shareholders or only certain series or classes of shareholders.

  (3)    Shares  being  acquired  must be  qualified  for sale in your  state of
         residence.

  (4)    Transactions  requesting  a  specific  price and date,  other than open
         orders, will be refused.  Once you have mailed or otherwise transmitted
         your  transaction  instructions  to us,  they  may not be  modified  or
         canceled.

  (5)    If a transaction request is made by a corporation,  partnership, trust,
         fiduciary,  agent  or  unincorporated   association,  we  will  require
         evidence  satisfactory to us of the authority of the individual  making
         the request.

  (6)    We have established  procedures  designed to assure the authenticity of
         instructions received by telephone. These procedures include requesting
         personal  identification  from callers,  recording telephone calls, and
         providing  written  confirmations  of  telephone  transactions.   These
         procedures are designed to protect  shareholders  from  unauthorized or
         fraudulent  instructions.  If we do not employ reasonable procedures to
         confirm  the  genuineness  of  instructions,  then we may be liable for
         losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The company, its
         transfer agent and investment  advisor will not be responsible  for any
         loss due to instructions they reasonably believe are genuine.

  (7)    All   signatures   should  be  exactly  as  the  name  appears  in  the
         registration.  If the owner's name appears in the  registration as Mary
         Elizabeth Jones, she should sign that way and not as Mary E. Jones.

  (8)    Unusual  stock  market  conditions  have  in the  past  resulted  in an
         increase  in  the  number  of  shareholder   telephone  calls.  If  you
         experience  difficulty in reaching us during such periods, you may send
         your transaction instructions by mail, express mail or courier service,
         or you may  visit  one of our  Investor  Centers.  You may also use our
         Automated Information Line if you have requested and received an access
         code and are not attempting to redeem shares.

  (9)    If  you  fail  to  provide  us  with  the  correct  certified  taxpayer
         identification  number, we may reduce any redemption proceeds by $50 to
         cover the  penalty the IRS will impose on us for failure to report your
         correct taxpayer identification number on information reports.

  (10)   We will perform special inquiries on shareholder  accounts.  A research
         fee of $15 per hour may be applied.

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

    At the  end of  each  calendar  quarter,  we will  send  you a  consolidated
statement that summarizes all of your American Century  holdings,  as well as an
individual  statement  for  each  fund you own that  reflects  all  year-to-date
activity in your account.  You may request a statement of your account  activity
at any time.

    With the  exception of most  automatic  transactions,  each time you invest,
redeem,  transfer or exchange  shares,  we will send you a  confirmation  of the
transaction. See the Investor Services Guide for more detail.

    Carefully  review  all the  information  relating  to  transactions  on your
statements  and  confirmations  to ensure that your  instructions  were acted on
properly.  Please notify us immediately in writing if there is an error.  If you
fail to provide  notification  of an error  with  reasonable  promptness,  i.e.,
within 30 days

PROSPECTUS          HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS        21


of non-automatic transactions or within 30 days of the date of your consolidated
quarterly statement, in the case of automatic transactions,  we will deem you to
have ratified the transaction.

    No later than January 31 of each year, we will send you reports that you may
use in completing your U.S. income tax return. See the Investor Services Guide
for more information.

    Each year,  we will send you an annual and a semiannual  report  relating to
your fund, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  The annual report
includes audited financial  statements and a list of portfolio  securities as of
the  fiscal  year  end.  The  semiannual  report  includes  unaudited  financial
statements  for the first six  months of the fiscal  year,  as well as a list of
portfolio  securities at the end of the period. You also will receive an updated
prospectus at least once each year.  Please read these materials  carefully,  as
they will help you understand your fund.

EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT
PLANS AND INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTS

    Information   contained  in  our  Investor   Services   Guide   pertains  to
shareholders  who invest  directly with American  Century rather than through an
employer-sponsored retirement plan or through a financial intermediary.

    If  you  own  or  are   considering   purchasing   fund  shares  through  an
employer-sponsored  retirement  plan,  your  ability to  purchase  shares of the
funds, exchange them for shares of other American Century funds, and redeem them
will depend on the terms of your plan.

    If you  own or are  considering  purchasing  fund  shares  through  a  bank,
broker-dealer,  insurance company or other financial intermediary,  your ability
to purchase,  exchange and redeem shares will depend on your agreement with, and
the policies of, such financial intermediary.

    You may reach one of our Institutional  Service  Representatives  by calling
1-800-345-3533 to request information about our funds and services,  to obtain a
current  prospectus or to get answers to any questions  about our funds that you
are unable to obtain through your plan administrator or financial intermediary.

22 HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW

SHARE PRICE

WHEN SHARE PRICE IS DETERMINED

    The price of your shares is also  referred to as their net asset value.  Net
asset value is determined  by  calculating  the total value of a fund's  assets,
deducting  total  liabilities  and  dividing  the result by the number of shares
outstanding. For all American Century funds, except funds issued by the American
Century Target  Maturities  Trust, net asset value is determined as of the close
of regular trading on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open, usually
3 p.m.  Central  time.  The net asset  values  for Target  Maturities  funds are
determined one hour prior to the close of the Exchange.

    Investments and requests to redeem or exchange shares will receive the share
price next  determined  after  receipt by us of the  investment,  redemption  or
exchange  request.  For example,  investments and requests to redeem or exchange
shares  received by us or one of our agents or  designees  before the time as of
which the net asset value of the fund is determined,  are effective on, and will
receive the price  determined,  that day.  Investment,  redemption  and exchange
requests received  thereafter are effective on, and receive the price determined
as of, the close of the Exchange on the next day the Exchange is open.

    Investments  are  considered  received  only when payment is received by us.
Wired funds are  considered  received on the day they are  deposited in our bank
account if they are deposited before the time as of which the net asset value of
the fund is determined.

    Investments by telephone pursuant to your prior  authorization to us to draw
on your bank account are considered received at the time of your telephone call.

    Investment and transaction  instructions  received by us on any business day
by mail  prior  to the  time as of  which  the net  asset  value  of the fund is
determined, will receive that day's price. Investments and instructions received
after that time will receive the price determined on the next business day.

    If you invest in fund shares through an  employer-sponsored  retirement plan
or  other  financial  intermediary,  it  is  the  responsibility  of  your  plan
recordkeeper or financial  intermediary to transmit your purchase,  exchange and
redemption requests to the funds' transfer agent prior to the applicable cut-off
time for receiving  orders and to make payment for any purchase  transactions in
accordance with the funds'  procedures or any contractual  arrangements with the
funds or the funds' distributor in order for you to receive that day's price.

    We have contractual  relationships with certain financial  intermediaries in
which such intermediaries  represent that they have systems to track the time at
which  investment  orders are  received  and to  segregate  orders  received  at
different times. Based on these representations,  the funds have authorized such
intermediaries  and their designees to accept purchase and redemption  orders on
the funds' behalf up to the applicable cut-off time. The funds will be deemed to
have received such orders upon acceptance by the duly  authorized  intermediary,
and such  orders  will be priced at the funds' net asset  value next  determined
after acceptance on the funds' behalf by such intermediary.

HOW SHARE PRICE IS DETERMINED

    The valuation of assets for determining net asset value may be summarized as
follows:

    The portfolio  securities of each fund, except as otherwise noted, listed or
traded on a domestic  securities  exchange  are valued at the last sale price on
that  exchange.  Portfolio  securities  primarily  traded on foreign  securities
exchanges  are  generally  valued  at  the  preceding  closing  values  of  such
securities on the exchange where primarily traded. If no sale is reported, or if
local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked
prices is used.  Depending on local convention or regulation,  securities traded
over-the-counter  are priced at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices,  or
at the last sale  price.  When  market  quotations  are not  readily  available,
securities and other assets are valued at fair value as determined in accordance
with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.


PROSPECTUS                   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW          23


    Debt  securities  not traded on a principal  securities  exchange are valued
through  valuations  obtained from a commercial  pricing  service or at the most
recent  mean of the bid and asked  prices  provided  by  investment  dealers  in
accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors.

    The  value of an  exchange-traded  foreign  security  is  determined  in its
national currency as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it
is traded or as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange, if that
is earlier.  That value is then exchanged to dollars at the  prevailing  foreign
exchange rate.

    Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern  securities  exchanges and
over-the-counter markets is normally completed at various times before the close
of  business on each day that the New York Stock  Exchange is open.  If an event
were to occur after the value of a security was  established  but before the net
asset value per share was  determined  that was likely to materially  change the
net asset value,  then that security would be valued at fair value as determined
in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.

    Trading of these  securities in foreign  markets may not take place on every
New York Stock  Exchange  business  day. In addition,  trading may take place in
various  foreign  markets on  Saturdays or on other days when the New York Stock
Exchange  is not open and on which a fund's net asset  value is not  calculated.
Therefore,  such  calculation  does not take  place  contemporaneously  with the
determination  of the prices of many of the  portfolio  securities  used in such
calculation  and the value of a fund's  portfolio  may be  affected on days when
shares of the fund may not be purchased or redeemed.

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE PRICE

    The net asset  values of the  Investor  Class of the funds are  published in
leading newspapers daily. The net asset value may also be obtained by calling us
or by accessing our Web site (www.americancentury.com).

DISTRIBUTIONS

    In  general,  distributions  from net  investment  income  and net  realized
securities  gains,  if any, are declared and paid once a year, but the funds may
make  distributions  on a more  frequent  basis to comply with the  distribution
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner  consistent
with the provisions of the Investment Company Act. Distributions from investment
income and from net profits realized on the sale of securities,  if any, will be
declared annually on or before December 31.

    THE OBJECTIVE OF THESE FUNDS IS CAPITAL  APPRECIATION AND NOT THE PRODUCTION
OF DISTRIBUTIONS. YOU SHOULD MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF YOUR INVESTMENT BY THE VALUE
OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND NOT BY THE DISTRIBUTIONS YOU RECEIVE.

    Participants in employer-sponsored  retirement or savings plan must reinvest
all  distributions.   For  shareholders   investing  through  taxable  accounts,
distributions  will be  reinvested  unless  you elect to  receive  them in cash.
Distributions of less than $10 generally will be reinvested.  Distributions made
shortly  after a  purchase  by check  or ACH may be held up to 15 days.  You may
elect to have distributions on shares held in certain IRAs and 403(b) plans paid
in cash only if you are at least  59(1)/2 years old or  permanently  and totally
disabled.  Distribution  checks  normally are mailed within seven days after the
record date. Please consult our Investor Services Guide for further  information
regarding your distribution options.

    A  distribution  on  shares of a fund  does not  increase  the value of your
shares or your total return. At any given time the value of your shares includes
the  undistributed  net  gains,  if any,  realized  by the  fund on the  sale of
portfolio securities,  and undistributed  dividends and interest received,  less
fund expenses.

    Because such gains and  dividends  are included in the value of your shares,
when they are  distributed  the value of your shares is reduced by the amount of
the  distribution.  If you buy your shares through a taxable account just before
the distribution,  you will pay the full price for your shares, and then receive
a portion of the  purchase  price back as a taxable  distribution.  See "Taxes,"
this page.

TAXES

    Each fund has elected to be taxed under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code,  which means that to the extent its income is distributed to shareholders,
it pays no income tax.


24  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNTS

    If fund  shares  are  purchased  through  tax-deferred  accounts,  such as a
qualified  employer-sponsored  retirement  or savings  plan,  income and capital
gains  distributions  paid by the funds will generally not be subject to current
taxation,  but will  accumulate in your account under the plan on a tax-deferred
basis.

    Employer-sponsored  retirement and savings plans are governed by complex tax
rules.  If you elect to participate in your employer's  plan,  consult your plan
administrator,  your plan's  summary plan  description,  or a  professional  tax
advisor   regarding  the  tax   consequences  of   participation  in  the  plan,
contributions to, and withdrawals or distributions from the plan.

TAXABLE ACCOUNTS

    If fund shares are purchased through taxable accounts,  distributions of net
investment  income  and net  short-term  capital  gains  are  taxable  to you as
ordinary income. The dividends from net income may qualify for the 70% dividends
received  deduction  for  corporations  to the extent  that the fund held shares
receiving the dividend for more than 45 days. Distributions from gains on assets
held  greater  than 12 months but no more than 18 months (28% rate gain)  and/or
assets held  greater  than 18 months  (20% rate gain) are  taxable as  long-term
gains  regardless of the length of time you have held the shares.  However,  you
should note that any loss  realized  upon the sale or  redemption of shares held
for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
of any distribution of long-term capital gain (28% or 20% rate gain) to you with
respect to such shares.

    Dividends  and interest  received by a fund on foreign  securities  may give
rise  to  withholding  and  other  taxes  imposed  by  foreign  countries.   Tax
conventions  between  certain  countries  and the  United  States  may reduce or
eliminate such taxes. Foreign countries generally do not impose taxes on capital
gains in respect of investments  by  non-resident  investors.  The foreign taxes
paid by a fund will reduce its dividends.

    If more  than 50% of the value of a fund's  total  assets at the end of each
quarter of its fiscal year consists of securities of foreign  corporations,  the
fund may qualify for and make an election with the Internal Revenue Service with
respect to such  fiscal  year so that fund  shareholders  may be able to claim a
foreign tax credit in lieu of a deduction  for foreign  income taxes paid by the
fund.  If such an election is made,  the foreign  taxes paid by the fund will be
treated as income  received by you. In order for the  shareholder to utilize the
foreign  tax  credit,  the mutual fund shares must have been held for 16 days or
more during the 30-day period,  beginning 15 days prior to the ex-dividend  date
for the mutual fund shares.  The mutual fund must meet a similar  holding period
requirement  with  respect  to  foreign   securities  to  which  a  dividend  is
attributable.  Any portion of the foreign tax credit  which is  ineligible  as a
result of the fund not meeting the holding period requirement will be separately
disclosed and may be eligible as an itemized deduction.

    If a fund purchases the securities of certain  foreign  investment  funds or
trusts called passive foreign investment companies (PFIC),  capital gains on the
sale of such  holdings  will be deemed to be ordinary  income  regardless of how
long the fund holds its  investment.  The fund may also be subject to  corporate
income tax and an interest charge on certain  dividends and capital gains earned
from  these  investments,  regardless  of  whether  such  income  and  gains are
distributed to shareholders. In the alternative, the fund may elect to recognize
cumulative  gains on such  investments as of the last day of its fiscal year and
distribute  it to  shareholders.  Any  distribution  attributable  to a PFIC  is
characterized as ordinary income.

    Distributions  are taxable to you  regardless  of whether  they are taken in
cash or reinvested,  even if the value of your shares is below your cost. If you
purchase shares shortly before a distribution,  you must pay income taxes on the
distribution,  even though the value of your investment (plus cash received,  if
any) will not have  increased.  In  addition,  the  share  price at the time you
purchase  shares may  include  unrealized  gains in the  securities  held in the
investment portfolio of the fund. If these portfolio securities are subsequently
sold and the gains are realized,  they will, to the extent not offset by capital
losses, be paid to you as a distribution of capital gains and will be taxable to
you as short-term or long-term capital gains (28% and/or 20% rate gain).

    In January of the year  following the  distribution,  if you own shares in a
taxable account, you will receive


PROSPECTUS                ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW              25


a Form 1099-DIV  notifying you of the status of your  distributions  for federal
income tax purposes.

    Distributions may also be subject to state and local taxes, even if all or a
substantial  part  of such  distributions  are  derived  from  interest  on U.S.
government  obligations  which,  if you received them directly,  would be exempt
from state income tax. However, most but not all states allow this tax exemption
to pass  through  to fund  shareholders  when a fund pays  distributions  to its
shareholders.  You should  consult your tax advisor about the tax status of such
distributions in your own state.

    If you have not complied  with certain  provisions  of the Internal  Revenue
Code and  Regulations,  we are  required by federal law to withhold and remit to
the IRS 31% of reportable  payments (which may include dividends,  capital gains
distributions  and redemptions).  Those regulations  require you to certify that
the Social Security number or tax  identification  number you provide is correct
and that you are not subject to 31% withholding for previous  under-reporting to
the  IRS.  You  will be asked  to make  the  appropriate  certification  on your
application.  Payments  reported by us that omit your Social  Security number or
tax  identification  number will  subject us to a penalty of $50,  which will be
charged  against  your account if you fail to provide the  certification  by the
time the report is filed, and is not refundable.

    Redemption  of shares of a fund  (including  redemption  made in an exchange
transaction)  will be a taxable  transaction for federal income tax purposes and
shareholders  will  generally  recognize  gain or loss in an amount equal to the
difference  between  the basis of the shares and the amount  received.  Assuming
that  shareholders hold such shares as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be
a capital gain or loss and will generally be considered long-term subject to tax
at a maximum rate of 28% (28% rate  gain/loss)  if  shareholders  have held such
shares  for a period  of more than 12  months  but no more  than 18  months  and
long-term  subject  to tax at a maximum  rate of 20%,  minimum  of 10% (20% rate
gain/loss)  if  shareholders  have held such shares for a period of more than 18
months. If a loss is realized on the redemption of fund shares, the reinvestment
in additional  fund shares within 30 days before or after the  redemption may be
subject to the "wash sale" rules of the Code, resulting in a postponement of the
recognition of such loss for federal income tax purposes.

MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

    Under  the  laws of the  State  of  Maryland,  the  Board  of  Directors  is
responsible for managing the business and affairs of the funds.  Acting pursuant
to an  investment  management  agreement  entered into with the funds,  American
Century  Investment  Management,  Inc.  serves as the investment  manager of the
funds.  Its principal  place of business is American  Century  Tower,  4500 Main
Street,  Kansas City, Missouri 64111. The manager has been providing  investment
advisory services to investment companies and institutional clients since it was
founded in 1958.

    The manager  supervises and manages the  investment  portfolios of each fund
and directs the  purchase  and sale of its  investment  securities.  It utilizes
teams of portfolio  managers,  assistant  portfolio managers and analysts acting
together to manage the assets of the funds.  The teams meet  regularly to review
portfolio  holdings and to discuss purchase and sale activity.  The teams adjust
holdings in the funds'  portfolios  as they deem  appropriate  in pursuit of the
funds' investment  objectives.  Individual portfolio manager members of the team
may also  adjust  portfolio  holdings  of the funds as  necessary  between  team
meetings.

    The portfolio  manager  members of the teams managing the funds described in
this  Prospectus  and  their  work  experience  for the last  five  years are as
follows:

    JAMES E. STOWERS III, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager,  joined
American Century in 1981. He is a member of the team that manages Ultra.

    HAROLD S. BRADLEY,  Vice President and Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in 1988.  For the past 10 years,  Mr.  Bradley  has  managed  the global
equity, futures and foreign exchange trading activities for American Century. He
is a member of the team that manages Heritage.

    ARNOLD K. DOUVILLE,  Vice President and Portfolio  Manager,  joined American
Century in November 1997. Prior to joining American Century, Mr. Douville


26 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW           AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


served as Senior Portfolio Manager for Munder Capital Management. He is a member
of the team that manages Vista.

    GLENN A. FOGLE,  Vice  President  and  Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in September  1990 as an  Investment  Analyst,  a position he held until
March 1993. At that time he was promoted to Portfolio Manager. He is a member of
the team that manages Vista.

    C. KIM GOODWIN,  Vice  President  and  Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in October 1997. Prior to joining American  Century,  Ms. Goodwin served
as Senior Vice President and Portfolio  Manager at Putnam  Investments  from May
1996 to September  1997 and Vice  President and Portfolio  Manager at Prudential
Investments  from February 1993 to April 1996.  Prior to that,  she served as an
Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Mellon Bank  Corporation.  She
is a member of the team that manages Growth.

    JEAN C.  LEDFORD,  Vice  President and Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in January 1997. Prior to joining American  Century,  Ms. Ledford worked
for the State of Wisconsin  Investment Board as an Investment Director from 1994
to 1996 and as an Assistant  Investment  Director from 1983 to 1994. Ms. Ledford
is a member of the team that manages Select.

    LINDA K. PETERSON,  Portfolio Manager,  joined American Century in 1986. She
served as an  Investment  Analyst for American  Century  growth-oriented  equity
funds, including Heritage, from April 1994 until February 1998. She was promoted
to  Portfolio  Manager in March 1998.  She is a member of the team that  manages
Heritage.

    JOHN R. SYKORA, Portfolio Manager, joined American Century in May 1994 as an
Investment  Analyst,  a position he held until August 1997.  At that time he was
promoted to Portfolio  Manager.  Prior to joining American  Century,  Mr. Sykora
served as a Financial  Analyst for Business Men's Assurance  Company of America,
Kansas City, Missouri,  from August 1993 to April 1994. Prior to that Mr. Sykora
attended Michigan State University where he obtained his MBA degree.  Mr. Sykora
is a member of the team that manages Ultra.

    BRUCE A. WIMBERLY,  Portfolio Manager,  joined American Century in September
1994 as an Investment  Analyst, a position he held until July 1996. At that time
he was promoted to Portfolio  Manager.  Prior to joining American  Century,  Mr.
Wimberly attended Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University
from August 1992 to August 1994, where he obtained his MBA degree.  Mr. Wimberly
is a member of the team that manages Ultra.

    The  activities  of the manager are subject only to directions of the funds'
Board of  Directors.  The  manager  pays all the  expenses  of the funds  except
brokerage,  taxes,  interest,  fees and  expenses of the  non-interested  person
directors (including counsel fees) and extraordinary expenses.

    For the services  provided to the Investor  Class of the funds,  the manager
receives an annual fee of 1% of the average net assets of each of the funds.

    On the first business day of each month,  each fund pays a management fee to
the  manager  for the  previous  month  at the rate  specified.  The fee for the
previous month is calculated by multiplying  the applicable fee for each fund by
the  aggregate  average daily closing value of the series' net assets during the
previous  month,  and  further  multiplying  that  product  by a  fraction,  the
numerator  of  which  is the  number  of  days  in the  previous  month  and the
denominator of which is 365 (366 in leap years).

CODE OF ETHICS

    The funds and the  manager  have  adopted  a Code of Ethics  that  restricts
personal  investing  practices by  employees of the manager and its  affiliates.
Among other  provisions,  the Code of Ethics requires that employees with access
to information about the purchase or sale of securities in the funds' portfolios
obtain  preclearance before executing personal trades. With respect to Portfolio
Managers  and  other  investment   personnel,   the  Code  of  Ethics  prohibits
acquisition  of securities  in an initial  public  offering,  as well as profits
derived from the purchase and sale of the same security within 60 calendar days.
These provisions are designed to ensure that the interests of fund  shareholders
come before the interests of the people who manage those funds.


PROSPECTUS                   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW        27


TRANSFER AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

    American  Century  Services  Corporation,  4500 Main  Street,  Kansas  City,
Missouri 64111, acts as transfer agent and dividend-paying  agent for the funds.
It provides  facilities,  equipment and personnel to the funds,  and is paid for
such services by the manager.

    Certain  recordkeeping and  administrative  services that would otherwise be
performed  by the transfer  agent may be  performed  by an insurance  company or
other  entity  providing  similar  services for various  retirement  plans using
shares  of the  funds as a  funding  medium,  by  broker-dealers  and  financial
advisors  for their  customers  investing  in shares of  American  Century or by
sponsors of multi mutual fund no- or low-transaction  fee programs.  The manager
or an affiliate may enter into contracts to pay them for such  recordkeeping and
administrative services out of its unified management fee.

    Although  there is no sales  charge  levied by the  funds,  transactions  in
shares of the funds may be executed by brokers or investment advisors who charge
a transaction-based  fee or other fee for their services.  Such charges may vary
among broker- dealers and financial advisors,  but in all cases will be retained
by the  broker-dealer or financial  advisor and not remitted to the funds or the
manager.  You  should be aware of the fact that these  transactions  may be made
directly with American Century without incurring such fees.

    From time to time,  special  services  may be  offered to  shareholders  who
maintain  higher  share  balances  in our family of funds.  These  services  may
include the waiver of minimum investment requirements, expedited confirmation of
shareholder  transactions,  newsletters and a team of personal  representatives.
Any expenses associated with these special services will be paid by the manager.

    The manager and  transfer  agent are both wholly  owned by American  Century
Companies, Inc. James E. Stowers Jr., Chairman of the funds' Board of Directors,
controls  American Century Companies by virtue of his ownership of a majority of
its common stock.

    Pursuant  to  a  Sub-Administration   Agreement  with  the  manager,   Funds
Distributor,  Inc. (FDI) serves as the  Co-Administrator  for the funds.  FDI is
responsible for (i) providing  certain  officers of the funds and (ii) reviewing
and filing  marketing and sales  literature on behalf of the funds. The fees and
expenses of FDI are paid by the manager out of its unified fee.

DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES

    The funds' shares are distributed by FDI, a registered broker-dealer. FDI is
a wholly-owned  indirect  subsidiary of Boston  Institutional  Group, Inc. FDI's
principal business address is 60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.  The Investor Class of shares does not pay any commissions or sales loads
to the distributor or any other  broker-dealers  or financial  intermediaries in
connection with the distribution of fund shares.

    Investors  may  open  accounts  with  American   Century  only  through  the
distributor.  All purchase  transactions in the funds offered by this Prospectus
are  processed  by the  transfer  agent,  which  is  authorized  to  accept  any
instructions relating to fund accounts.  All purchase orders must be accepted by
the  distributor.  All fees and expenses of FDI in acting as distributor for the
funds are paid by the manager.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT AMERICAN CENTURY

    American Century Mutual Funds,  Inc., the issuer of the funds, was organized
as a Maryland corporation on July 2, 1990. The corporation  commenced operations
on February 28, 1991, the date it merged with Twentieth Century Investors, Inc.,
a Delaware  corporation which had been in business since October 1958.  Pursuant
to the  terms of the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger  dated  July 27,  1990,  the
Maryland  corporation was the surviving entity and continued the business of the
Delaware corporation with the same officers and directors, the same shareholders
and the same investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

    The  principal  office of the funds is  American  Century  Tower,  4500 Main
Street, P.O. Box 419200, Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6200.  All inquiries may be
made by mail to that address,  or by telephone to 1-800-345-2021  (international
calls: 816-531-5575).

    American  Century  Mutual  Funds,  Inc.  issues  13 series of $.01 par value
shares.  Each series is commonly  referred to as a fund. The assets belonging to
each series of shares are held separately by the custodian.

    American  Century  offers  four  classes of each of the funds:  an  Investor
Class, an Institutional Class, a


28    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW        AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


Service Class,  and an Advisor Class.  The shares offered by this Prospectus are
Investor Class shares and have no up-front charges, commissions, or 12b-1 fees.

    The other classes of shares are primarily offered to institutional investors
or  through  institutional  distribution  channels,  such as  employer-sponsored
retirement plans or through banks, broker-dealers,  insurance companies or other
financial  intermediaries.  The other  classes have  different  fees,  expenses,
and/or minimum  investment  requirements than the Investor Class. The difference
in the fee  structures  among  the  classes  is the  result  of  their  separate
arrangements for shareholder and distribution services and not the result of any
difference  in  amounts  charged by the  manager  for core  investment  advisory
services.  Accordingly,  the core  investment  advisory  expenses do not vary by
class.  Different  fees and expenses  will affect  performance.  For  additional
information  concerning  the  other  classes  of  shares  not  offered  by  this
Prospectus,  call us at  1-800-345-3533  or  contact a sales  representative  or
financial intermediary who offers those classes of shares.

    Except as described  below,  all classes of shares of a fund have  identical
voting,  dividend,   liquidation  and  other  rights,  preferences,   terms  and
conditions.  The only  differences  among the various classes are (a) each class
may be subject to different  expenses specific to that class, (b) each class has
a different identifying designation or name, (c) each class has exclusive voting
rights with respect to matters solely  affecting such class,  (d) each class may
have different exchange privileges,  and (e) the Institutional Class may provide
for automatic  conversion  from that class into shares of the Investor  Class of
the same fund.

    Each  share,  irrespective  of series or class,  is entitled to one vote for
each dollar of net asset value applicable to such share on all questions, except
for those  matters  that must be voted on  separately  by the series or class of
shares affected.  Matters affecting only one series or class are voted upon only
by that series or class.

    Shares have  non-cumulative  voting rights,  which means that the holders of
more than 50% of the votes cast in an election of directors can elect all of the
directors  if  they  choose  to do so,  and in such  event  the  holders  of the
remaining  votes will not be able to elect any person or persons to the Board of
Directors.

    Unless required by the Investment  Company Act, it will not be necessary for
the funds to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a result, shareholders may
not vote each year on the election of directors or the  appointment of auditors.
However,  pursuant to the funds' by-laws,  the holders of shares representing at
least  10% of the  votes  entitled  to be cast may  request  the funds to hold a
special meeting of shareholders.  We will assist in the communication with other
shareholders.

    WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF OUR POLICIES, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES
DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION,
WITHOUT  SHAREHOLDER  APPROVAL  EXCEPT  IN  THOSE  INSTANCES  WHERE  SHAREHOLDER
APPROVAL IS EXPRESSLY REQUIRED.


PROSPECTUS                 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW             29


P.O. BOX 419200
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
64141-6200

INVESTOR SERVICES:
1-800-345-2021 OR 816-531-5575

AUTOMATED INFORMATION LINE:
1-800-345-8765

TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF:
1-800-634-4113 OR 816-444-3485

FAX: 816-340-7962

www.americancentury.com



                            [american century logo]
                                    American
                                Century(reg.sm)



9803           [recycled logo]
SH-BKT-11929      Recycled
<PAGE>
                                   PROSPECTUS

                             [american century logo]
                                    American
                                 Century(reg.sm)


                                  MARCH 1, 1998
                             Revised March 13, 1998

                                    TWENTIETH
                                     CENTURY
                                      GROUP

                                     Select
                                    Heritage
                                     Growth
                                      Ultra
                                      Vista

ADVISOR CLASS


                         AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

                                FAMILY OF FUNDS

    American  Century  Investments  offers you nearly 70 fund  choices  covering
stocks, bonds, money markets,  specialty investments and blended portfolios.  To
help you find the funds that may meet your investment  needs,  American  Century
funds  have  been  divided  into  three  groups  based on  investment  style and
objectives. These groups, which appear below, are designed to help simplify your
fund decisions.



                          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BENHAM GROUP(reg.tm)        AMERICAN CENTURY GROUP      TWENTIETH CENTURY GROUP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    MONEY MARKET FUNDS            ASSET ALLOCATION             GROWTH FUNDS
   GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS        &  BALANCED FUNDS          INTERNATIONAL FUNDS
  DIVERSIFIED BOND FUNDS     CONSERVATIVE EQUITY FUNDS
   MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS          SPECIALTY FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                      Select * Heritage * Growth
                                                             Ultra * Vista



                                  PROSPECTUS

                                 MARCH 1, 1998
                             Revised March 13, 1998

                          Select * Heritage * Growth

                                 Ultra * Vista

                                 ADVISOR CLASS

                      AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.

    American  Century  Mutual  Funds,   Inc.  is  a  part  of  American  Century
Investments,  a family of funds that  includes  nearly 70 no-load  and  low-load
mutual funds covering a variety of investment  opportunities.  Five of the funds
from our Twentieth  Century Group that invest primarily in equity securities are
described in this Prospectus.  Their investment  objectives are listed on page 2
of this Prospectus. The other funds are described in separate prospectuses.

      Each fund's shares offered in this  Prospectus  (the Advisor Class shares)
are sold at their net asset  value  with no sales  charges or  commissions.  The
Advisor  Class  shares  are  subject  to Rule  12b-1  shareholder  services  and
distribution fees as described in this Prospectus.

      The Advisor  Class shares are intended  for  purchase by  participants  in
employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and for persons purchasing shares
through   broker-dealers,   banks,   insurance  companies  and  other  financial
intermediaries that provide various administrative and distribution services.

      This Prospectus gives you information about the funds that you should know
before investing. Please read this Prospectus carefully and retain it for future
reference.  Additional  information  is included in the  Statement of Additional
Information  dated March 1, 1998,  and filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.  It is incorporated  into this Prospectus by reference.  To obtain a
copy without charge, call or write:


                          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS
                       4500 Main Street * P.O. Box 419385
                Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6385 * 1-800-345-3533
                        International calls: 816-531-5575
                     Telecommunications Device for the Deaf:
                   1-800-345-1833 * In Missouri: 816-444-3038
                        Internet: www.americancentury.com


    Additional  information,  including  this  Prospectus  and the  Statement of
Additional Information,  may be obtained by accessing the Web site maintained by
the SEC (www.sec.gov).

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION,  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


PROSPECTUS                                                                 1

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE FUNDS

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
SELECT FUND

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
HERITAGE FUND

    The Select and  Heritage  funds seek  capital  growth.  The funds  intend to
pursue their  investment  objectives by investing  primarily in common stocks of
companies  that  are  considered  by  management  to  have   better-than-average
prospects for appreciation. As a matter of fundamental policy, 80% of the assets
of the Select fund and 60% of the assets of the  Heritage  fund must be invested
in  securities  of  companies  that have a record of  paying  dividends  or have
committed  themselves to the payment of regular dividends,  or otherwise produce
income.

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
GROWTH FUND

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
ULTRA FUND

AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
VISTA FUND

    The Growth,  Ultra and Vista funds seek capital growth.  The funds intend to
pursue their investment  objectives by investing primarily in common stocks that
are  considered  by  management  to  have   better-than-average   prospects  for
appreciation.

               There is no assurance that the funds will achieve
                     their respective investment objectives.

NO  PERSON  IS  AUTHORIZED  BY THE  FUNDS  TO GIVE ANY  INFORMATION  OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN OTHER PRINTED
OR WRITTEN MATERIAL ISSUED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE FUNDS, AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY
ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION.

2      INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES                  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

Investment Objectives of the Funds ........................................    2

Transaction and Operating Expense Table ...................................    4

Financial Highlights ......................................................    5

Performance Information of Other Class ....................................   10

INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS

Investment Policies of the Funds ..........................................   15

   Growth Equity Funds ....................................................   15

   Select and Heritage ....................................................   15

   Growth, Ultra and Vista ................................................   15

Other Investment Practices, Their Characteristics
and Risks .................................................................   16

   Foreign Securities .....................................................   16

   Forward Currency Exchange Contracts ....................................   16
   Portfolio Turnover .....................................................   17

   Repurchase Agreements ..................................................   17

   Futures and Options ....................................................   17

   Derivative Securities ..................................................   18

   When-Issued Securities .................................................   19

   Rule 144A Securities ...................................................   19

   Investments in Companies

      with Limited Operating History ......................................   19

   Short Sales ............................................................   20

Performance Advertising ...................................................   20

HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


How to Purchase and Sell American
Century Funds .............................................................   21

How to Exchange from One
American Century Fund to Another ..........................................   21

How to Redeem Shares ......................................................   21

   Special Requirements for Large Redemptions .............................   21

Telephone Services ........................................................   22

   Investors Line .........................................................   22

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW

Share Price ...............................................................   23

   When Share Price Is Determined .........................................   23

   How Share Price Is Determined ..........................................   23

   Where to Find Information About Share Price ............................   24

Distributions .............................................................   24

Taxes .....................................................................   24

   Tax-Deferred Accounts ..................................................   24

   Taxable Accounts .......................................................   25

Management ................................................................   26

   Investment Management ..................................................   26

   Code of Ethics .........................................................   27

   Transfer and Administrative Services ...................................   27

Distribution of Fund Shares ...............................................   28

Service and Distribution Fees .............................................   28

Further Information About American Century ................................   28


PROSPECTUS                                        TABLE OF CONTENTS          3


                    TRANSACTION AND OPERATING EXPENSE TABLE

                                                       Select, Heritage,
                                                      Growth, Ultra, Vista

SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:

Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases .......................   none

Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends ............   none

Deferred Sales Load ...........................................   none

Redemption Fee ................................................   none

Exchange Fee ..................................................   none


 ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES:
(as a percentage of net assets)

Management Fees ...............................................  0.75%

12b-1 Fees(1) .................................................  0.50%

Other Expenses(2) .............................................  0.00%

Total Fund Operating Expenses .................................  1.25%

EXAMPLE:

You would pay the following expenses on a              1 year     $ 13
$1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return and     3 years      40

redemption at the end of each time period:             5 years      68

                                                       10 years    150

(1)  The 12b-1 fee is designed to permit  investors  to purchase  Advisor  Class
     shares  through  broker-dealers,   banks,  insurance  companies  and  other
     financial  intermediaries.  A portion of the fee is used to compensate them
     for ongoing recordkeeping and administrative  services that would otherwise
     be  performed  by an  affiliate  of the  manager,  and a portion is used to
     compensate  them for  distribution  and  other  shareholder  services.  See
     "Service and Distribution Fees," page 28.

(2)  Other  expenses,  which  include  the fees and  expenses  (including  legal
     counsel  fees) of  those  directors  who are not  "interested  persons"  as
     defined in the Investment  Company Act, were less than 0.01of 1% of average
     net assets for the most recent fiscal year.


    The purpose of this table is to help you  understand  the various  costs and
expenses  that you,  as a  shareholder,  will bear  directly  or  indirectly  in
connection  with an  investment  in the class of shares of the funds  offered by
this  Prospectus.  The  example  set forth  above  assumes  reinvestment  of all
dividends and  distributions  and uses a 5% annual rate of return as required by
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

    NEITHER  THE 5% RATE OF  RETURN  NOR THE  EXPENSES  SHOWN  ABOVE  SHOULD  BE
CONSIDERED  INDICATIONS OF PAST OR FUTURE  RETURNS AND EXPENSES.  ACTUAL RETURNS
AND EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.

    The shares offered by this  Prospectus  are Advisor Class shares.  The funds
offer three other classes of shares, one of which is primarily made available to
retail  investors and two that are  primarily  made  available to  institutional
investors.  The other  classes have  different fee  structures  than the Advisor
Class.  The difference in the fee structures  among the classes is the result of
their separate  arrangements for shareholder and  distribution  services and not
the  result  of any  difference  in  amounts  charged  by the  manager  for core
investment advisory services. Accordingly, the core investment advisory expenses
do not vary by class. A difference in fees will result in different  performance
for those classes.  For additional  information  about the various classes,  see
"Further Information About American Century," page 28.

 4   TRANSACTION AND OPERATING EXPENSE TABLE   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                    SELECT

  The sale of the  Advisor  Class of the  fund  commenced  on  August  8,  1997.
Performance  information  of the  original  class  of  shares,  which  commenced
operations on October 31, 1958, is presented on page 10.

  The  Financial  Highlights  for the  period  presented  have been  audited  by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in the
fund's annual report,  which is  incorporated by reference into the Statement of
Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains  additional  performance
information  and  will  be made  available  without  charge  upon  request.  The
information presented is for a share outstanding throughout the period ended

                                                                    1997(1)

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period .........................................   $     49.43
                                                                -----------

Income From Investment Operations

  Net Investment Loss(2) ....................................         (0.02)

  Net Realized and Unrealized
  Loss on Investment Transactions ...........................         (1.25)
                                                                -----------
Total From
Investment Operations .......................................         (1.27)
                                                                -----------
Net Asset Value,
End of Period ...............................................   $     48.16
                                                                ===========

Total Return(3) .............................................         (2.57)%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets ...........          1.25%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets ..........         (0.17)%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate .....................................            94%

Average Commission Paid per Share of Equity Security Traded .   $    0.0457

Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) ....................   $     1,289

     (1)  August 8, 1997 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.

     (2)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

     (3)  Total  return  assumes  reinvestment  of dividends  and capital  gains
          distributions, if any. Total return is not annualized.

     (4)  Annualized.

PROSPECTUS                                     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS          5


                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                   HERITAGE

  The  sale of the  Advisor  Class  of the  fund  commenced  on July  11,  1997.
Performance  information  of the  original  class  of  shares,  which  commenced
operations on November 10, 1987, is presented on page 11.

  The  Financial  Highlights  for the  period  presented  have been  audited  by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in the
fund's annual report,  which is  incorporated by reference into the Statement of
Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains  additional  performance
information  and  will  be made  available  without  charge  upon  request.  The
information  presented is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the period ended
October 31.

                                                                     1997(1)


PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period ..........................................    $   14.23
                                                                  ---------

Income From Investment Operations

  Net Investment Loss(2) .....................................        (0.01)

  Net Realized and Unrealized
  Gain on Investment Transactions ............................         0.63
                                                                  ---------
Total From
Investment Operations ........................................         0.62
                                                                  ---------
Net Asset Value,
End of Period ................................................    $   14.85
                                                                  =========

Total Return(3) ..............................................         4.36%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets ............         1.25%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets ...........       (0.23)%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate ......................................           69%

Average Commission Paid per Share of Equity Security Traded ..    $  0.0436

Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) .....................    $     120

     (1)  July 11, 1997 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.

     (2)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

     (3)  Total  return  assumes  reinvestment  of dividends  and capital  gains
          distributions, if any. Total return is not annualized.

     (4)  Annualized.


6      FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                    GROWTH

  The  sale of the  Advisor  Class  of the  fund  commenced  on  June  4,  1997.
Performance  information  of the  original  class  of  shares,  which  commenced
operations on October 31, 1958, is presented on page 12.

  The  Financial  Highlights  for the  period  presented  have been  audited  by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in the
fund's annual report,  which is  incorporated by reference into the Statement of
Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains  additional  performance
information  and  will  be made  available  without  charge  upon  request.  The
information  presented is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the period ended
October 31.

                                                                     1997(1)

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period .........................................   $     24.36
                                                                -----------

Income From Investment Operations

  Net Investment Loss(2) ....................................         (0.06)

  Net Realized and Unrealized
  Gain on Investment Transactions ...........................          3.54
                                                                -----------
Total From
Investment Operations .......................................          3.48
                                                                -----------
Net Asset Value,
End of Period ...............................................   $     27.84
                                                                ===========

Total Return(3) .............................................         14.29%


RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets ...........          1.25%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets ..........        (0.47)%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate .....................................            75%

Average Commission Paid per Share of Equity Security Traded .   $    0.0393

Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) ....................   $     2,200

(1) June 4, 1997 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.

(2) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(3)Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends   and  capital   gains
   distributions, if any. Total return is not annualized.

(4) Annualized.


PROSPECTUS                                     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    7



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                     ULTRA

   The sale of the  Advisor  Class of the fund  commenced  on  October  2, 1996.
Performance  information  of the  original  class  of  shares,  which  commenced
operations on November 2, 1981, is presented on page 13.

   The Financial  Highlights  for the fiscal year ended  October 31, 1997,  have
been  audited by  Deloitte & Touche  LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose  report
thereon appears in the fund's annual report,  which is incorporated by reference
into the  Statement  of  Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains
additional  performance  information and will be made available upon request and
without charge. The Financial  Highlights for the period ended October 31, 1996,
have  been  audited  by other  independent  auditors  whose  report  thereon  is
incorporated  by reference  into the  Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the year  ended
October 31, except as noted.

                                                                   1997        1996(1)

PER-SHARE DATA

<S>                                                           <C>           <C>      
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period ......................   $   29.52     $   29.55
                                                              ---------     ---------

Income From Investment Operations

  Net Investment Loss(2) ..................................       (0.07)        (0.02)

  Net Realized and Unrealized
  Gain (Loss) on Investment Transactions ..................        5.60         (0.01)
                                                              ---------     ---------
  Total from Investment Operations ........................        5.53         (0.03)
                                                              ---------     ---------
Distributions

  From Net Realized Gains on Investment Transactions ......       (1.69)         --
                                                              ---------     ---------
Net Asset Value, End of Period ............................   $   33.36     $   29.52
                                                              =========     =========

  Total Return(3) .........................................       19.59%        (0.10)%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets .........        1.25%         1.25%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets ........       (0.22)%   (0.80)%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate ...................................         107%           87%

Average Commission Paid per Share 
  of Equity Security Traded ...............................   $  0.0398     $  0.0350

Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) ...................   $      31     $      13
</TABLE>

     (1)  October 2, 1996 (Commencement of sale) through October 31, 1996.

     (2)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

     (3)  Total  return  assumes  reinvestment  of dividends  and capital  gains
          distributions,  if any.  Total  returns for periods less than one year
          are not annualized.

     (4)  Annualized.


8   FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                         AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                     VISTA

   The sale of the  Advisor  Class of the fund  commenced  on  October  2, 1996.
Performance  information  of the  original  class  of  shares,  which  commenced
operations on November 25, 1983, is presented on page 14.

   The Financial  Highlights  for the fiscal year ended  October 31, 1997,  have
been  audited by  Deloitte & Touche  LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose  report
thereon appears in the fund's annual report,  which is incorporated by reference
into the  Statement  of  Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains
additional  performance  information and will be made available upon request and
without charge. The Financial  Highlights for the period ended October 31, 1996,
have  been  audited  by other  independent  auditors  whose  report  thereon  is
incorporated  by reference  into the  Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the year  ended
October 31, except as noted.

                                                           1997        1996(1)


PER-SHARE DATA

<S>                                                     <C>          <C>     
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period ................   $  15.67     $  16.87
                                                        --------     --------

Income From Investment Operations

   Net Investment Loss(2) ...........................      (0.14)       (0.02)

   Net Realized and Unrealized
   Gain (Loss) on Investment Transactions ...........       0.15        (1.18)
                                                        --------     --------
   Total from Investment Operations .................       0.01        (1.20)
                                                        --------     --------
Distributions

   From Net Realized Gains on Investment Transactions      (1.18)        --
                                                        --------     --------
Net Asset Value, End of Period ......................   $  14.50     $  15.67
                                                        ========     ========

   Total Return(3) ..................................       0.15%       (7.11)%


RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets ...       1.25%        1.25%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets ..      (0.98)%   (1.20)%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate .............................         96%          91%

Average Commission Paid per Share
  of Equity Security Traded .........................   $ 0.0292     $ 0.0280

Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) .............   $      7     $      6
</TABLE>

     (1)  October 2, 1996 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1996.

     (2)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

     (3)  Total  return  assumes  reinvestment  of dividends  and capital  gains
          distributions,  if any.  Total  returns for periods less than one year
          are not annualized.

     (4)  Annualized.

PROSPECTUS                                 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS              9



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                    SELECT

  The Advisor Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996,  however no
shares  had been  issued  prior to the fund's  fiscal  year end.  The  financial
information  in this  table  regarding  selected  per  share  data  for the fund
reflects  the  performance  of the fund's  original  class of shares,  which was
redesignated  the "Investor Class" of shares,  effective  September 3, 1996. The
Investor  Class shares have a total  expense  ratio that is 0.25% lower than the
Advisor  Class.  Had the Advisor  Class been in  existence  for the time periods
presented,  that class's  performance  information would be lower as a result of
the additional expense.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                    1997     1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991     1990      1989      1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                 <C>     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>   
Beginning of Year ................. $41.52  $39.52    $37.67    $45.76    $39.18    $40.79    $34.19   $35.98    $27.85    $32.69
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------

Income From Investment Operations

 Net Investment Income ............ 0.15(1)  0.20(1)  0.33(1)    0.40      0.46      0.53      0.63     0.62      1.10      0.64

 Net Realized and 
 Unrealized Gain(Loss) 
 on Investment Transactions ....... 10.51     6.73      4.68     (3.59)     7.94      0.34      8.17    (1.29)     7.74     1.37
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
 Total From
 Investment Operations ............ 10.66    6.93      5.01     (3.19)     8.40      0.87      8.80    (0.67)     8.84      2.01
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Distributions

 From Net Investment Income ....... (0.32)  (0.27)    (0.28)    (0.43)    (0.49)    (0.65)    (0.65)   (1.12)    (0.71)    (0.48)

 From Net Realized Gains on
 Investment Transactions .......... (3.68)  (4.66)    (2.75)    (4.47)    (1.31)    (1.83)    (1.55)     --        --      (6.37)

 In Excess of Net Realized Gains ..   --      --      (0.13)      --      (0.02)      --        --       --        --        --
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
 Total Distributions .............. (4.00)  (4.93)    (3.16)    (4.90)    (1.82)    (2.48)    (2.20)   (1.12)    (0.71)    (6.85)
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Net Asset Value, End of Year ...... $48.18  $41.52    $39.52    $37.67    $45.76    $39.18    $40.79   $34.19    $35.98    $27.85
                                    ======  ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======   ======    ======    ======

 Total Return(2) .................. 27.89%  19.76%    15.02%    (7.37)%   22.20%     1.76%    27.05%   (2.03)%   32.59%     7.31%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ............. 1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
to Average Net Assets ............. 0.33%    0.5%      0.9%      1.0%      1.1%      1.4%      1.7%     1.8%      3.4%      2.2%

Portfolio Turnover Rate ........... 94%      105%      106%      126%       82%       95%       84%      83%       93%      140%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded ... $0.0457  $0.0410  $0.0460    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) ............. $4,769  $4,039    $4,008    $4,278    $5,160    $4,534    $4,163   $2,953    $2,721    $2,367
</TABLE>

     (1)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

     (2)  Total  return  assumes  reinvestment  of dividends  and capital  gains
          distributions, if any.

     (3)  Disclosure  of average  commission  paid per share of equity  security
          traded was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.


10  PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                   HERITAGE

  The Advisor Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996,  however no
shares  had been  issued  prior to the fund's  fiscal  year end.  The  financial
information  in this  table  regarding  selected  per  share  data  for the fund
reflects  the  performance  of the fund's  original  class of shares,  which was
redesignated  the "Investor Class" of shares,  effective  September 3, 1996. The
Investor  Class shares have a total  expense  ratio that is 0.25% lower than the
Advisor  Class.  Had the Advisor  Class been in  existence  for the time periods
presented,  that class's  performance  information would be lower as a result of
the additional expense.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                     1997    1996     1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989     1988(1)

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                  <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>  
Beginning of Period ................ $12.24  $11.75  $10.32    $11.03     $9.30     $8.59     $6.55     $8.15     $6.21     $5.00
                                     ------  ------  ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----

Income From Investment Operations

  Net Investment Income ............ 0.01(2)  --(2)  0.05(2)    0.07      0.07      0.10      0.11      0.10      0.08      0.06

  Net Realized and 
  Unrealized Gain(Loss) 
  on Investment Transactions ....... 3.41     1.15    1.96     (0.21)     2.43      0.72      2.04     (0.94)     1.93      1.16
                                     ------  ------  ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
  Total from Investment Operations . 3.42     1.15    2.01     (0.14)     2.50      0.82      2.15     (0.84)     2.01      1.22
                                     ------  ------  ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Distributions

  From Net Investment Income ....... (0.09)  (0.05)  (0.03)    (0.06)    (0.09)    (0.11)    (0.11)    (0.07)    (0.07)    (0.01)

  From Net Realized Gains on
  Investment Transactions .......... (0.71)  (0.61)  (0.52)    (0.50)    (0.68)      --        --      (0.69)      --        --

  In Excess of Net Realized Gains ..   --     --     (0.03)    (0.01)      --        --        --        --        --        --
                                     ------  ------  ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
  Total Distributions .............. (0.80)  (0.66)  (0.58)    (0.57)    (0.77)    (0.11)    (0.11)    (0.76)    (0.07)    (0.01)
                                     ------  ------  ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Net Asset Value, End of Period ..... $14.86  $12.24  $11.75    $10.32    $11.03     $9.30     $8.59     $6.55     $8.15     $6.21
                                     ======  ======  ======    ======    ======     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====

  Total Return(3) .................. 29.56%  10.44%  21.04%    (1.13)%   28.64%     9.65%    33.25%   (11.62)%   32.65%    25.75%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets .............. 1.00%   0.99%    0.99%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%   1.00%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Income
to Average Net Assets .............. 0.05%    --      0.5%      0.7%      0.7%      1.1%      1.5%      1.6%      1.3%     1.4%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate ............ 69%     122%     121%      136%      116%      119%      146%      127%      159%     130%(4)

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded .... $0.0436  $0.0420  $0.0420  --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)

Net Assets, End
of Period (in millions) ............ $1,321  $1,083  $1,008     $897      $702      $369      $269      $199      $117       $55
</TABLE>

     (1)  November 10, 1987 (inception) through October 31, 1988.

     (2)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

     (3)  Total  return  assumes  reinvestment  of dividends  and capital  gains
          distributions, if any. Total return for periods less than one year are
          not annualized.

     (4)  Annualized.

     (5)  Disclosure  of average  commission  paid per share of equity  security
          traded was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.


PROSPECTUS                   PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS       11


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                    GROWTH

  The Advisor Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996,  however no
shares  had been  issued  prior to the fund's  fiscal  year end.  The  financial
information  in this  table  regarding  selected  per  share  data  for the fund
reflects  the  performance  of the fund's  original  class of shares,  which was
redesignated  the "Investor Class" of shares,  effective  September 3, 1996. The
Investor  Class shares have a total  expense  ratio that is 0.25% lower than the
Advisor  Class.  Had the Advisor  Class been in  existence  for the time periods
presented,  that class's  performance  information would be lower as a result of
the additional expense.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                           1997     1996      1995     1994      1993      1992      1991      1990     1989      1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>   
Beginning of Year ....... $22.21   $23.88   $22.99   $25.27   $23.64     $22.32   $14.81   $17.44    $12.54    $15.62
                          ------   ------   ------   ------   ------     ------   ------   ------    ------    ------

Income From
Investment Operations

  Net Investment
  Income (Loss) .........0.01(1)   (0.01)(1)  0.08(1)  0.06     0.06     (0.02)     0.04     0.09      0.08      0.30

  Net Realized
  and Unrealized Gain
  (Loss) on Investment
  Transactions .......... 6.07      1.47    4.08      0.48      1.94      1.35      8.47    (2.05)     5.14      0.13
                          ------   ------   ------   ------   ------     ------   ------   ------    ------    ------
  Total from
  Investment Operations . 6.08      1.46    4.16      0.54      2.00      1.33      8.51    (1.96)     5.22      0.43
                          ------   ------   ------   ------   ------     ------   ------   ------    ------    ------
Distributions

  From Net
  Investment Income .....(0.18)    (0.07)  (0.05)    (0.06)      --      (0.01)    (0.11)   (0.08)    (0.32)    (0.05)

  From Net
  Realized Gains
  on Investment
  Transactions ..........(0.25)    (2.98)    (3.18)    (2.76)    (0.36)      --      (0.89)   (0.59)      --      (3.46)

  In Excess of
  Net Realized Gains ....  --      (0.08)    (0.04)      --    (0.01)      --        --       --        --        --
                          ------   ------   ------   ------   ------     ------   ------   ------    ------    ------
  Total Distributions ... (0.43)   (3.13)    (3.27)   (2.82)   (0.37)    (0.01)    (1.00)   (0.67)    (0.32)    (3.51)
                          ------   ------   ------   ------   ------     ------   ------   ------    ------    ------
Net Asset Value,
End of Year ...........  $27.86   $22.21    $23.88    $22.99  $25.27    $23.64    $22.32   $14.81    $17.44    $12.54
                         ======   ======    ======    ======  ======    ======    ======   ======    ======    ======

  Total Return(2) .....27.85%     8.18%    22.31%     2.66%     8.48%     5.96%    60.64%   (11.72)%  42.74%     3.18%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
DATA

Ratio of
Operating Expenses
to Average
Net Assets ............1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net
Investment Income
(Loss) to Average
Net Assets ............0.02%    (0.1)%     0.4%      0.3%      0.2%     (0.1)%     0.2%     0.6%      0.5%      2.4%

Portfolio
Turnover Rate ......... 75%      122%      141%      100%       94%       53%       69%     118%       98%      143%

Average Commission
Paid per
Share of Equity
Security Traded ....$0.0393   $0.0360   $0.0400    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year
(in millions) ......$5,113    $4,765    $5,130    $4,363    $4,641    $4,472    $3,193   $1,697    $1,597    $1,229
</TABLE>


     (1)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

     (2)  Total  return  assumes  reinvestment  of dividends  and capital  gains
          distributions, if any.

     (3)  Disclosure  of average  commission  paid per share of equity  security
          traded was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.


12     PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                     ULTRA

  The Advisor Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996,  however no
shares  had been  issued  prior to the fund's  fiscal  year end.  The  financial
information  in this  table  regarding  selected  per  share  data  for the fund
reflects  the  performance  of the fund's  original  class of shares,  which was
redesignated  the "Investor Class" of shares,  effective  September 3, 1996. The
Investor  Class shares have a total  expense  ratio that is 0.25% lower than the
Advisor  Class.  Had the Advisor  Class been in  existence  for the time periods
presented,  that class's  performance  information would be lower as a result of
the additional expense.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                    1997      1996          1995      1994      1993      1992      1991     1990      1989    1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                 <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>  
Beginning of Year ...............   $29.52    $28.03      $21.16    $21.61    $15.46    $15.53     $7.73    $9.63     $6.86   $8.76
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----

Income From
Investment Operations

  Net Investment Income
  (Loss) ........................  0.01(1)  (0.05)(1)   (0.07)(1)   (0.03)   (0.09)     (0.05)    (0.03)   (0.03)     0.19    (0.02)

  Net Realized and
  Unrealized Gain
  (Loss) on Investment
  Transactions ..................   5.62      2.84         7.58     (0.42)     6.24     (0.02)     7.86    (0.73)     2.58     1.38
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----
  Total from
  Investment Operations .........   5.63      2.79         7.51     (0.45)     6.15     (0.07)     7.83    (0.76)     2.77     1.36
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----
Distributions

  From Net Investment Income ....   --         --          --        --        --        --        --     (0.19)      --         --

  From Net Realized Gains on
  Investment Transactions .......   (1.69)    (1.19)     (0.64)      --        --        --      (0.03)   (0.95)      --      (3.26)

  In Excess of Net
  Realized Gains ................   --       (0.11)        --        --        --        --        --       --        --         --
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----
  Total Distributions ...........   (1.69)   (1.30)      (0.64)      --        --        --      (0.03)   (1.14)      --      (3.26)
                                    ------    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----
Net Asset Value, End of Year ....   $33.46   $29.52      $28.03    $21.16    $21.61    $15.46    $15.53    $7.73     $9.63    $6.86
                                    ======   ======      ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    =====     =====    =====

  Total Return(2) ...............   19.95%   10.79%      36.89%    (2.08)%   39.78%    (0.45)%   101.51%  (9.02)%   40.37%    19.52%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating
Expenses
to Average Net Assets ...........   1.00%    1.00%      1.00%      1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%      1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets ....   0.03%   (0.2)%     (0.3)%     (0.1)%    (0.6)%    (0.4)%    (0.5)%   (0.3)%     2.2%      (0.3)%

Portfolio Turnover Rate .........   107%      87%        87%        78%       53%       59%       42%     141%      132%        140%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded .   $0.0398  $0.0350   $0.0330     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)      --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) ...........   $21,695  $18,266   $14,376    $10,344   $8,037    $4,275    $2,148    $330      $347       $258
</TABLE>

     (1)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

     (2)  Total  return  assumes  reinvestment  of dividends  and capital  gains
          distributions, if any.

     (3)  Disclosure  of average  commission  paid per share of equity  security
          traded was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.


PROSPECTUS                   PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS      13



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                     VISTA

  The Advisor Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996,  however no
shares  had been  issued  prior to the fund's  fiscal  year end.  The  financial
information  in this  table  regarding  selected  per  share  data  for the fund
reflects  the  performance  of the fund's  original  class of shares,  which was
redesignated  the "Investor Class" of shares,  effective  September 3, 1996. The
Investor  Class shares have a total  expense  ratio that is 0.25% lower than the
Advisor  Class.  Had the Advisor  Class been in  existence  for the time periods
presented,  that class's  performance  information would be lower as a result of
the additional expense.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  whose report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                    1997         1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991     1990      1989    1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                 <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>  
Beginning of Year ................  $15.68      $15.73    $10.94    $12.24    $11.01    $10.53     $6.28    $8.74     $5.91   $5.73
                                    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----

Income From
Investment Operations

  Net Investment Income
  (Loss) ......................... (0.10)(1)   (0.11)(1)  (0.08)(1)  (0.08)   (0.07)   (0.04)     (0.02)    (0.01)   (0.03)    0.01

  Net Realized
  and Unrealized Gain
  (Loss) on Investment
  Transactions ...................   0.13        1.09      4.90      0.45      1.95      0.52      4.27    (1.76)     2.87     0.63
                                    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----
  Total from
  Investment Operations ..........   0.03        0.98      4.82      0.37      1.88      0.48      4.25    (1.77)     2.84     0.64
                                    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----
Distributions

  From Net
  Investment Income ..............  --          --        --        --        --        --        --       --      (0.01)       --

  From Net
  Realized Gains
  on Investment
  Transactions ...................(1.18)      (1.02)    (0.03)    (1.66)    (0.64)      --        --     (0.69)      --       (0.46)

  In Excess of Net
  Realized Gains .................   --        (0.01)      --      (0.01)    (0.01)      --        --       --        --        --
                                    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----
  Total Distributions ............ (1.18)      (1.03)    (0.03)    (1.67)    (0.65)      --        --      (0.69)    (0.01)   (0.46)
                                    ------      ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----   -----
Net Asset Value,
End of Year ...................... $14.53     $15.68     $15.73    $10.94    $12.24    $11.01    $10.53    $6.28     $8.74    $5.91
                                   ======     ======     ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    =====     =====    =====

  Total Return(2) ................   0.29%      6.96%     44.20%     4.16%   17.71%      4.55%    67.67%  (22.17)%   48.19%   11.41%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating
Expenses
to Average Net Assets ............  1.00%     0.99%      0.98%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets ..... (0.73)%   (0.7)%     (0.6)%    (0.8)%    (0.6)%    (0.4)%    (0.3)%   (0.1)%    (0.4)%     0.2%

Portfolio Turnover Rate ..........    96%       91%       89%      111%      133%       87%       92%     103%      125%      145%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded ..  $0.0292  $0.0280  $0.0330    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) ............  $1,828  $2,276    $1,676     $792      $847      $830      $622     $341      $264      $206
</TABLE>

     (1)  Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

     (2)  Total  return  assumes  reinvestment  of dividends  and capital  gains
          distributions, if any.

     (3)  Disclosure  of average  commission  paid per share of equity  security
          traded was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.


14     PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                        INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE FUNDS

    The funds have adopted certain investment restrictions that are set forth in
the  Statement of Additional  Information.  Those  restrictions,  as well as the
investment objectives of the funds identified on page 2 of this Prospectus,  and
any other investment  policies designated as "fundamental" in this Prospectus or
in  the  Statement  of  Additional   Information,   cannot  be  changed  without
shareholder approval.  The funds have implemented additional investment policies
and  practices  to guide their  activities  in the  pursuit of their  respective
investment  objectives.  These  policies  and  practices,  which  are  described
throughout this Prospectus,  are not designated as fundamental  policies and may
be changed without shareholder approval.

GROWTH EQUITY FUNDS

    All of the funds offered by this Prospectus seek capital growth by investing
in  securities,  primarily  common  stocks,  that meet certain  fundamental  and
technical  standards of selection  (relating  primarily to earnings and revenues
acceleration)    and   have,   in   the   opinion   of   the   funds'   manager,
better-than-average  potential for appreciation.  So long as a sufficient number
of such  securities are available,  the manager  intends to keep the funds fully
invested  in  these  securities  regardless  of the  movement  of  stock  prices
generally.  In most  circumstances,  the  funds'  actual  level of cash and cash
equivalents  will fluctuate  between 0% and 10% of total assets with 90% to 100%
of its assets committed to equity and equity equivalent  investments.  The funds
may purchase  securities  only of companies that have a record of at least three
years of continuous operation.

SELECT AND HERITAGE

    Securities of companies  chosen for the Select and Heritage funds are chosen
primarily for their growth potential.  Additionally,  as a matter of fundamental
policy,  80% of the  assets  of the  Select  fund and 60% of the  assets  of the
Heritage fund must be invested in securities of companies  that have a record of
paying  dividends,  or have  committed  themselves  to the  payment  of  regular
dividends, or otherwise produce income. The remaining 20% of the Select fund and
40% of the Heritage fund may be invested in any otherwise permissible securities
that the  manager  believes  will  contribute  to the funds'  stated  investment
objectives.  The  income  payments  of equity  securities  are only a  secondary
consideration; therefore, the income return that Select and Heritage provide may
not be  significant.  Otherwise,  Select and Heritage follow the same investment
techniques described below for Growth, Ultra and Vista.

    Since  Select is one of our  larger  funds  and  Heritage  is  substantially
smaller,  Select will  invest in shares of larger  companies  with larger  share
trading  volume,  and  Heritage  will tend to invest in smaller  companies  with
smaller share trading volume. However, the two funds are not mutually exclusive,
and a given  security may be owned by both funds.  For the reasons stated in the
next  section,  it should be expected  that  Heritage  will be more volatile and
subject to greater short-term risk and long-term opportunity than Select.

    Because of its size, and because it invests primarily in securities that pay
dividends or are committed to the payment of  dividends,  Select may be expected
to be the least volatile of the funds described in this Prospectus.

GROWTH, ULTRA AND VISTA

    Management selects for the portfolios of the Growth,  Ultra and Vista funds,
securities  of companies  whose  earnings and revenue  trends meet  management's
standards of selection.

    Growth and Ultra  generally  invest in  large-sized  companies,  while Vista
invests in medium-sized and smaller companies.

    The size of companies  in which a fund  invests  tends to give each fund its
own characteristics of


PROSPECTUS                         INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS      15


volatility and risk. These  differences come about because  developments such as
new or improved products or methods, which would be relatively  insignificant to
a large company, may have a substantial impact on the earnings and revenues of a
small  company  and create a greater  demand and a higher  value for its shares.
However,  a new  product  failure,  which  could  readily be absorbed by a large
company,  can  cause a rapid  decline  in the  value of the  shares of a smaller
company.  Hence, it could be expected that funds investing in smaller  companies
would be more volatile than funds investing in larger companies.


OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES, THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
AND RISKS

    For additional information,  see "Additional Investment Restrictions" in the
Statement of Additional Information.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

    Each of the  funds  may  invest an  unlimited  amount  of its  assets in the
securities of foreign  issuers,  primarily  from developed  markets,  when these
securities meet its standards of selection.  The funds may make such investments
either  directly in foreign  securities,  or by purchasing  Depositary  Receipts
("DRs") for foreign securities. DRs are securities listed on exchanges or quoted
in the  over-the-counter  market in one  country  but  represent  the  shares of
issuers  domiciled in other  countries.  DRs may be  sponsored  or  unsponsored.
Direct  investments  in  foreign  securities  may  be  made  either  on  foreign
securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets.

    Subject to their individual  investment  objectives and policies,  the funds
may invest in common stocks,  convertible  securities,  preferred stocks, bonds,
notes and other debt  securities  of foreign  issuers,  and debt  securities  of
foreign  governments and their agencies.  The funds will limit their purchase of
debt securities to investment-grade obligations.

    Investments in foreign securities may present certain risks, including those
resulting from  fluctuations in currency  exchange rates,  future  political and
economic  developments,  clearance and settlement risk, reduced  availability of
public information concerning issuers, and the fact that foreign issuers are not
generally  subject to  uniform  accounting,  auditing  and  financial  reporting
standards or to other regulatory practices and requirements  comparable to those
applicable to domestic issuers.

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

    Some of the  foreign  securities  held by the  funds may be  denominated  in
foreign  currencies.  Other securities,  such as DRs, may be denominated in U.S.
dollars,  but have a value that is  dependent  on the  performance  of a foreign
security,  as valued in the currency of its home country. As a result, the value
of a fund's  portfolio may be affected by changes in the exchange  rates between
foreign  currencies  and the U.S.  dollar,  as well as by  changes in the market
values of the  securities  themselves.  The  performance  of foreign  currencies
relative  to the U.S.  dollar may be a factor in the  overall  performance  of a
fund.

    To protect against adverse  movements in exchange rates between  currencies,
the funds may, for hedging purposes only,  enter into forward currency  exchange
contracts.  A forward currency exchange contract obligates a fund to purchase or
sell a specific currency at a future date at a specific price.

    A fund may elect to enter into a forward  currency  exchange  contract  with
respect to a specific  purchase  or sale of a security,  or with  respect to the
fund's portfolio positions generally.

    By entering into a forward  currency  exchange  contract with respect to the
specific  purchase or sale of a security  denominated in a foreign  currency,  a
fund can "lock in" an exchange rate between the trade and  settlement  dates for
that purchase or sale.  This practice is sometimes  referred to as  "transaction
hedging." Each fund may enter into transaction hedging contracts with respect to
all or a substantial portion of its foreign securities trades.

    When the manager  believes  that a particular  currency may decline in value
compared to the U.S.  dollar,  a fund may enter into forward  currency  exchange
contracts  to sell the value of some or all of the fund's  portfolio  securities
either  denominated in, or whose value is tied to, that currency.  This practice
is  sometimes  referred to as  "portfolio  hedging." A fund may not enter into a
portfolio  hedging  transaction where it would be obligated to deliver an amount
of foreign


16   INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS                AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


currency in excess of the aggregate  value of its portfolio  securities or other
assets denominated in, or whose value is tied to, that currency.

    Each  fund  will  make  use  of  portfolio  hedging  to  the  extent  deemed
appropriate by the manager.  However,  it is anticipated  that a fund will enter
into portfolio hedges much less frequently than transaction hedges.

    If a fund enters into a forward currency exchange  contract,  the fund, when
required,  will  instruct  its  custodian  bank  to  segregate  cash  or  liquid
high-grade securities in a separate account in an amount sufficient to cover its
obligation under the contract.  Those assets will be valued at market daily, and
if  the  value  of  the  segregated  securities  declines,  additional  cash  or
securities  will be added so that the value of the  account is not less than the
amount of the fund's commitment. At any given time, no more than 10% of a fund's
assets will be committed to a segregated  account in connection  with  portfolio
hedging transactions.

    Predicting the relative future values of currencies is very  difficult,  and
there is no  assurance  that any  attempt  to  protect  a fund  against  adverse
currency  movements through the use of forward currency exchange  contracts will
be successful. In addition, the use of forward currency exchange contracts tends
to limit the  potential  gains that might  result from a positive  change in the
relationships between the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

    The  portfolio  turnover  rates of the  funds  are  shown  in the  financial
information on pages 5-14 of this Prospectus.

    Investment  decisions  to  purchase  and sell  securities  are  based on the
anticipated contribution of the security in question to a fund's objectives. The
manager  believes  that the rate of  portfolio  turnover is  irrelevant  when it
determines a change is in order to achieve those objectives and accordingly, the
annual portfolio turnover rate cannot be anticipated.

    The  portfolio  turnover of each fund may be higher than other  mutual funds
with   similar   investment   objectives.   Higher   turnover   would   generate
correspondingly  greater brokerage  commissions,  which is a cost that the funds
pay directly. Portfolio turnover may also affect the character of capital gains,
if any,  realized and distributed by a fund since  short-term  capital gains are
taxable as ordinary income.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

    Each fund may invest in repurchase agreements when such transactions present
an attractive  short-term return on cash that is not otherwise  committed to the
purchase of securities pursuant to the investment policies of that fund.

    A  repurchase  agreement  occurs  when,  at the time the fund  purchases  an
interest-bearing  obligation,  the seller (a bank or a broker-dealer  registered
under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934)  agrees  to  repurchase  it on a
specified  date in the future at an  agreed-upon  price.  The  repurchase  price
reflects  an  agreed-upon  interest  rate  during the time the  fund's  money is
invested in the security.

    Since  the  security  purchased  constitutes  security  for  the  repurchase
obligation,  a repurchase  agreement can be considered a loan  collateralized by
the security purchased.  The fund's risk is the ability of the seller to pay the
agreed-upon repurchase price on the repurchase date. If the seller defaults, the
fund may incur costs in  disposing  of the  collateral,  which would  reduce the
amount realized  thereon.  If the seller seeks relief under the bankruptcy laws,
the  disposition of the collateral may be delayed or limited.  To the extent the
value of the security decreases, the fund could experience a loss.

    The funds will limit repurchase agreement  transactions to securities issued
by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities,  and will enter into
such  transactions  with  those  banks and  securities  dealers  who are  deemed
creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the funds' Board of Directors.

    No fund will  invest  more than 15% of its assets in  repurchase  agreements
maturing in more than seven days.

FUTURES AND OPTIONS

    The funds may invest in financial futures  contracts and options thereon.  A
financial  futures  contract  is an  agreement  to take or  make  delivery  of a
financial  asset or an amount of cash, as specified in the applicable  contract,
at some time in the future.  The value of the asset or cash to be  delivered  at
the end of the contract period is calculated  based upon the difference in value
between the making of the contract and the end


PROSPECTUS                        INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS     17


of the contract period of a financial index,  indicator,  or security underlying
the futures contract.

    Rather  than  actually  purchasing  a  financial  asset  (e.g.,  a long-  or
short-term  treasury security) or all of the securities  contained in a specific
index (e.g., the S&P 500), the manager may choose to purchase a futures contract
which reflects the value of such  securities or index.  For example,  an S&P 500
futures  contract  reflects the value of the underlying  companies that comprise
the S&P 500 Composite  Stock Price Index.  If the aggregate  market value of the
index securities increases or decreases during the contract period of an S&P 500
futures  contract,  the amount of cash to be paid to the contract  holder at the
end of the period would  correspondingly  increase or decrease. As a result, the
manager is able to expose to the  market  cash that is held by the funds to meet
anticipated redemptions or for future investment opportunities.  Because futures
contracts  generally settle more quickly than their underlying  securities,  the
manager believes that the use of futures and options thereon allows the funds to
be fully invested while maintaining the needed liquidity.

    The funds will not  purchase  leveraged  futures.  When a fund enters into a
futures  contract,  it  must  make  a  deposit  of  cash  or  high-quality  debt
securities,  known as "initial  margin," as partial security for its performance
under the  contract.  As the value of the  contract  fluctuates,  a party to the
contract may be required to make additional margin payments, known as "variation
margin," to cover a portion of such  fluctuation.  A fund will also deposit in a
segregated  account with its custodian bank cash or high-quality debt securities
in an amount equal to the fund's payment  obligation under the futures contract,
less any initial or variation  margin.  For options sold, a fund will  segregate
cash or  high-quality  debt  securities  equal to the  value  of the  securities
underlying the option unless the option is otherwise covered.

DERIVATIVE SECURITIES

    To the extent permitted by its investment  objectives and policies,  each of
the funds may invest in securities that are commonly referred to as "derivative"
securities.  Generally,  a derivative  is a financial  arrangement  the value of
which is based on, or "derived" from, a traditional  security,  asset, or market
index.   Certain  derivative   securities  are  more  accurately   described  as
"index/structured"   securities.   Index/structured  securities  are  derivative
securities whose value or performance is linked to other equity securities (such
as depositary receipts),  currencies, interest rates, indices or other financial
indicators ("reference indices").

    Some   "derivatives"  such  as   mortgage-related   and  other  asset-backed
securities are in many respects like any other investment,  although they may be
more volatile or less liquid than more traditional debt securities.

    There are many different types of derivatives and many different ways to use
them. Futures and options are commonly used for traditional  hedging purposes to
attempt to protect a fund from exposure to changing  interest rates,  securities
prices,  or  currency  exchange  rates  and for cash  management  purposes  as a
low-cost method of gaining  exposure to a particular  securities  market without
investing directly in those securities.

    No fund may invest in a derivative  security  unless the reference  index or
the  instrument to which it relates is an eligible  investment for the fund. For
example,  a security whose  underlying value is linked to the price of oil would
not be a  permissible  investment  since the funds may not invest in oil and gas
leases or futures.

    The return on a derivative security may increase or decrease, depending upon
changes in the reference index or instrument to which it relates.

    There  are  a  range  of  risks  associated  with  derivative   investments,
including:

    *    the risk that the underlying  security,  interest rate, market index or
         other  financial  asset will not move in the  direction  the  portfolio
         manager anticipates;

    *    the possibility  that there may be no liquid secondary  market,  or the
         possibility  that  price  fluctuation  limits  may  be  imposed  by the
         exchange,  either of which may make it difficult or impossible to close
         out a position when desired;

    *    the risk that adverse price  movements in an instrument can result in a
         loss substantially greater than a fund's initial investment; and

    *    the risk that the counterparty will fail to perform its obligations.


18      INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS        AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


    The  Board  of  Directors  has  approved  the  manager's   policy  regarding
investments in derivative securities. That policy specifies factors that must be
considered in connection  with a purchase of derivative  securities.  The policy
also establishes a committee that must review certain proposed  purchases before
the  purchases  can be  made.  The  manager  will  report  on fund  activity  in
derivative securities to the Board of Directors as necessary.  In addition,  the
Board will review the manager's policy for investments in derivative  securities
annually.

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES

    Each of the funds may  sometimes  purchase  new  issues of  securities  on a
when-issued  basis  without  limit  when,  in the opinion of the  manager,  such
purchases  will  further the  investment  objectives  of the fund.  The price of
when-issued  securities is established at the time the commitment to purchase is
made. Delivery of and payment for these securities typically occur 15 to 45 days
after the commitment to purchase. Market rates of interest on debt securities at
the time of  delivery  may be higher or lower than those  contracted  for on the
when-issued security.  Accordingly, the value of such security may decline prior
to delivery,  which could  result in a loss to the fund. A separate  account for
each fund consisting of cash or high-quality liquid debt securities in an amount
at least equal to the when-issued commitments will be established and maintained
with the custodian. No income will accrue to the fund prior to delivery.

RULE 144A SECURITIES

    The funds may, from time to time,  purchase Rule 144A  securities  when they
present  attractive  investment  opportunities  that  otherwise  meet the funds'
criteria for selection.  Rule 144A  securities are securities that are privately
placed with and traded among qualified  institutional  investors rather than the
general  public.  Although  Rule  144A  securities  are  considered  "restricted
securities," they are not necessarily illiquid.

    With respect to securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, the staff of
the Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that the liquidity
of such securities in the portfolio of a fund offering redeemable  securities is
a question of fact for the Board of Directors to determine,  such  determination
to be based upon a consideration  of the readily  available  trading markets and
the review of any contractual  restrictions.  The staff also acknowledges  that,
while the Board retains ultimate  responsibility,  it may delegate this function
to the manager. Accordingly, the Board has established guidelines and procedures
for  determining  the  liquidity of Rule 144A  securities  and has delegated the
day-to-day  function of determining the liquidity of Rule 144A securities to the
manager.  The Board retains the  responsibility to monitor the implementation of
the guidelines and procedures it has adopted.

    Since the  secondary  market  for such  securities  is  limited  to  certain
qualified  institutional  investors,  the  liquidity of such  securities  may be
limited accordingly and a fund may, from time to time, hold a Rule 144A security
that is illiquid. In such an event, the funds' manager will consider appropriate
remedies to minimize  the effect on such  fund's  liquidity.  No fund may invest
more than 15% of its assets in illiquid  securities  (securities that may not be
sold within seven days at  approximately  the price used in determining  the net
asset value of fund shares).

INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES  WITH LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY

    The funds may invest in the  securities  of issuers with  limited  operating
history.  The manager considers an issuer to have a limited operating history if
that issuer has a record of less than three years of continuous operation.

    Investments  in  securities  of issuers with limited  operating  history may
involve greater risks than investments in securities of more mature issuers.  By
their  nature,  such issuers  present  limited  operating  history and financial
information upon which the manager may base its investment decision on behalf of
the funds. In addition,  financial and other information regarding such issuers,
when available, may be incomplete or inaccurate.

    Select,  Growth and Ultra will not invest more than 5% of their total assets
in the  securities  of issuers  with less than a three-year  operating  history.
Vista and  Heritage  will not invest more than 10% of their total  assets in the
securities of issuers with less than a three-year operating history. The manager
will con-


PROSPECTUS                   INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS       19


sider periods of capital formation, incubation,  consolidation, and research and
development  in  determining  whether a particular  issuer has a record of three
years of continuous operation.

SHORT SALES

    A fund may engage in short sales if, at the time of the short sale, the fund
owns or has the right to acquire securities equivalent in kind and amount to the
securities being sold short. Such  transactions  allow the fund to hedge against
price fluctuations by locking in a sale price for securities it does not wish to
sell immediately.

    A fund may make a short sale when it wants to sell the security it owns at a
current  attractive  price, but also wishes to defer recognition of gain or loss
for federal  income tax purposes and for purposes of  satisfying  certain  tests
applicable to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code and
Regulations.


PERFORMANCE ADVERTISING

    From  time  to  time,  the  funds  may  advertise   performance  data.  Fund
performance  may be shown by presenting  one or more  performance  measurements,
including  cumulative  total return or average  annual total return,  and yield.
Performance  data may be quoted  separately  for the  Advisor  Class and for the
other classes offered by the funds.

    Cumulative  total  return data is computed by  considering  all  elements of
return,  including  reinvestment  of dividends and capital gains  distributions,
over a stated  period of time.  Average  annual  total return is  determined  by
computing  the annual  compound  return over a stated  period of time that would
have  produced  the fund's  cumulative  total return over the same period if the
fund's performance had remained constant throughout.

    A quotation of yield reflects a fund's income over a stated period expressed
as a percentage of the fund's share price.

    Yields are calculated  according to accounting methods that are standardized
in  accordance  with SEC  rules  for all stock  and bond  funds.  Because  yield
accounting methods differ from the methods used for other accounting purposes, a
fund's yield may not equal the income paid on its shares or the income  reported
in the fund's financial statements.

    The funds may also include in advertisements data comparing performance with
the performance of non-related  investment media,  published  editorial comments
and performance  rankings compiled by independent  organizations (such as Lipper
Analytical  Services or  Donoghue's  Money Fund  Report) and  publications  that
monitor the performance of mutual funds.  Performance  information may be quoted
numerically  or may be presented  in a table,  graph or other  illustration.  In
addition,  fund  performance  may be  compared to  well-known  indices of market
performance  including  the  Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index and the Dow Jones
Industrial Average.  Fund performance may also be compared, on a relative basis,
to other funds in our fund family. This relative comparison,  which may be based
upon  historical  or  expected  fund  performance,   volatility  or  other  fund
characteristics,  may be presented  numerically,  graphically  or in text.  Fund
performance may also be combined or blended with other funds in our fund family,
and that combined or blended  performance may be compared to the same indices to
which individual funds may be compared.

    All performance  information advertised by the funds is historical in nature
and is not intended to represent or guarantee future results.  The value of fund
shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.


20      INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS        AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS



                HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

    The following section explains how to purchase,  exchange and redeem Advisor
Class shares of the funds offered by this Prospectus.

HOW TO PURCHASE AND SELL AMERICAN
CENTURY FUNDS

    One or more of the funds  offered  by this  Prospectus  is  available  as an
investment  option under your  employer-sponsored  retirement or savings plan or
through  or in  connection  with a  program,  product  or  service  offered by a
financial  intermediary,  such as a bank,  broker-dealer  or insurance  company.
Since all records of your share  ownership are  maintained by your plan sponsor,
plan  recordkeeper,  or other  financial  intermediary,  all orders to purchase,
exchange and redeem shares must be made through your employer or other financial
intermediary, as applicable.

    If  you  are   purchasing   through  a  retirement  or  savings  plan,   the
administrator of your plan or your employee benefits office can provide you with
information  on how to  participate  in your  plan  and how to  select  American
Century funds as an investment option.

    If you are purchasing through a financial  intermediary,  you should contact
your service  representative at the financial intermediary for information about
how to select American Century funds.

    If you have questions about a fund, see "Investment  Policies of the Funds,"
page  15,  or  call  one  of  our  Institutional   Service   Representatives  at
1-800-345-3533.

    Orders to purchase shares are effective on the day we receive  payment.  See
"When Share Price is Determined," page 23.

    We may  discontinue  offering shares  generally in the funds  (including any
class  of  shares  of a fund)  or in any  particular  state  without  notice  to
shareholders.

    To reduce  expenses and  demonstrate  respect for our  environment,  we have
initiated a project  through which we will  eliminate  duplicate  copies of most
financial  reports and  prospectuses  to most  households  and  deliver  account
statements to most households in a single envelope,  even if they have more than
one  account.  If you would like  additional  copies of  financial  reports  and
prospectuses or separate mailing of account statements, please call us.


HOW TO EXCHANGE FROM ONE AMERICAN CENTURY
FUND TO ANOTHER

    Your plan or program  may  permit you to  exchange  your  investment  in the
shares  of a fund for  shares  of  another  fund in our  family.  See your  plan
administrator, employee benefits office or financial intermediary for details on
the rules in your plan governing exchanges.

    Exchanges are made at the respective  net asset values,  next computed after
receipt of the exchange instruction by us. If in any 90-day period, the total of
the exchanges and  redemptions  from the account of any one plan  participant or
financial  intermediary  client exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of a fund's
assets,  further exchanges may be subject to special requirements to comply with
our policy on large equity fund redemptions. See "Special Requirements for Large
Redemptions," this page.

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

    Subject to any  restrictions  imposed by your  employer's  plan or financial
intermediary's  program, you can sell ("redeem") your shares through the plan or
financial  intermediary  at their net  asset  value.  Your  plan  administrator,
trustee,  or financial  intermediary or other designated  person must provide us
with redemption instructions. The shares will be redeemed at the net asset value
next computed after receipt of the  instructions in good order.  See "When Share
Price Is  Determined,"  page 23. If you have any questions  about how to redeem,
contact  your  plan   administrator,   employee   benefits  office,  or  service
representative at your financial intermediary, as applicable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LARGE REDEMPTIONS

    We have  elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the  Investment  Company
Act, which obligates each fund to redeem shares in cash, with respect to any one
participant account during any 90-day


PROSPECTUS                  HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS   21


period,  up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the assets of the fund.  Although
redemptions in excess of this  limitation will also normally be paid in cash, we
reserve the right to honor these  redemptions  by making  payment in whole or in
part in readily marketable  securities (a  "redemption-in-kind").  If payment is
made in securities,  the securities will be selected by the fund, will be valued
in the same manner as they are in computing  the fund's net asset value and will
be provided to the redeeming plan participant or financial  intermediary in lieu
of cash without prior notice.

    If you  expect  to make a large  redemption  and  would  like to  avoid  any
possibility of being paid in  securities,  you may do so by providing us with an
unconditional  instruction to redeem at least 15 days prior to the date on which
the redemption  transaction is to occur. The instruction must specify the dollar
amount  or number of  shares  to be  redeemed  and the date of the  transaction.
Receipt of your  instruction 15 days prior to the transaction  provides the fund
with  sufficient  time  to  raise  the  cash  in an  orderly  manner  to pay the
redemption  and thereby  minimizes the effect of the  redemption on the fund and
its remaining shareholders.

    Despite the funds' right to redeem fund shares through a redemption-in-kind,
we do not expect to exercise  this  option  unless a fund has an  unusually  low
level  of cash to meet  redemptions  and/or  is  experiencing  unusually  strong
demands for its cash.  Such a demand might be caused,  for  example,  by extreme
market conditions that result in an abnormally high level of redemption requests
concentrated in a short period of time.  Absent these or similar  circumstances,
we expect  redemptions in excess of $250,000 to be paid in cash in any fund with
assets of more than $50 million if total redemptions from any one account in any
90-day period do not exceed one-half of 1% of the total assets of the fund.

TELEPHONE SERVICES

INVESTORS LINE

    To  request  information  about our funds and a current  prospectus,  or get
answers to any  questions  that you may have about the funds and the services we
offer, call one of our Institutional Service Representatives at 1-800-345-3533.



22 HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW

SHARE PRICE

WHEN SHARE PRICE IS DETERMINED

    The price of your shares is also  referred to as their net asset value.  Net
asset value is determined  by  calculating  the total value of a fund's  assets,
deducting  total  liabilities  and  dividing  the result by the number of shares
outstanding. For all American Century funds, except funds issued by the American
Century Target  Maturities  Trust, net asset value is determined at the close of
regular trading on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open,  usually 3
p.m.  Central  time.  The net asset values for the Target  Maturities  funds are
determined one hour prior to the close of the Exchange.

    Investments and requests to redeem or exchange shares will receive the share
price next  determined  after  receipt by us of the  investment,  redemption  or
exchange  request.  For example,  investments and requests to redeem or exchange
shares  received by us or one of our agents or  designees  before the time as of
which the net asset value of the fund is determined,  are effective on, and will
receive the price  determined,  that day.  Investment,  redemption  and exchange
requests received  thereafter are effective on, and receive the price determined
on, the next day the Exchange is open.

    Investments  are  considered  received  only when payment is received by us.
Wired funds are  considered  received on the day they are  deposited in our bank
account if they are deposited before the time as of which the net asset value is
determined.

    It is the responsibility of your plan recordkeeper or financial intermediary
to  transmit  your  purchase,  exchange  and  redemption  requests to the funds'
transfer agent prior to the applicable  cut-off time for receiving orders and to
make  payment  for any  purchase  transactions  in  accordance  with the  funds'
procedures  or any  contractual  arrangements  with  the  funds  or  the  funds'
distributor in order for you to receive that day's price.

    We have contractual  relationships with certain financial  intermediaries in
which such intermediaries  represent that they have systems to track the time at
which  investment  orders are  received  and to  segregate  orders  received  at
different times. Based on these representations,  the funds have authorized such
intermediaries  and their designees to accept purchase and redemption  orders on
the funds' behalf up to the applicable cut-off time. The funds will be deemed to
have received such orders upon acceptance by the duly  authorized  intermediary,
and such  orders  will be priced at the funds' net asset  value next  determined
after acceptance on the funds' behalf by such intermediary.

HOW SHARE PRICE IS DETERMINED

    The valuation of assets for determining net asset value may be summarized as
follows:

    The portfolio  securities of each fund, except as otherwise noted, listed or
traded on a domestic  securities  exchange  are valued at the last sale price on
that  exchange.  Portfolio  securities  primarily  traded on foreign  securities
exchanges  are  generally  valued  at  the  preceding  closing  values  of  such
securities on the exchange where primarily traded. If no sale is reported, or if
local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked
prices is used.  Depending on local convention or regulation,  securities traded
over-the-counter  are priced at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices,  or
at the last sale  price.  When  market  quotations  are not  readily  available,
securities and other assets are valued at fair value as determined in accordance
with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.

    Debt  securities  not traded on a principal  securities  exchange are valued
through  valuations  obtained from a commercial  pricing  service or at the most
recent  mean of the bid and asked  prices  provided  by  investment  dealers  in
accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors.

    The  value of an  exchange-traded  foreign  security  is  determined  in its
national currency as of the close


PROSPECTUS             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW                 23


of trading on the  foreign  exchange on which it is traded or as of the close of
business on the New York Stock Exchange,  if that is earlier. That value is then
exchanged to dollars at the prevailing foreign exchange rate.

    Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern  securities  exchanges and
over-the-counter markets is normally completed at various times before the close
of  business on each day that the New York Stock  Exchange is open.  If an event
were to occur after the value of a security was  established  but before the net
asset value per share was  determined  that was likely to materially  change the
net asset value,  then that security would be valued at fair value as determined
in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.

    Trading of these  securities in foreign  markets may not take place on every
New York Stock  Exchange  business  day. In addition,  trading may take place in
various  foreign  markets on  Saturdays or on other days when the New York Stock
Exchange  is not open and on which a fund's net asset  value is not  calculated.
Therefore,  such  calculation  does not take  place  contemporaneously  with the
determination  of the prices of many of the  portfolio  securities  used in such
calculation  and the value of a fund's  portfolio  may be  affected on days when
shares of the fund may not be purchased or redeemed.

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE PRICE

    The net asset  values of the  Investor  Class of the funds are  published in
leading newspapers daily.  Because the total expense ratio for the Advisor Class
shares is 0.25% higher than the Investor  Class,  their net asset values will be
lower than the Investor Class.  The net asset value of the Advisor Class of each
fund may be obtained by calling us.


DISTRIBUTIONS

    In  general,  distributions  from net  investment  income  and net  realized
securities  gains if any, are  declared and paid once a year,  but the funds may
make  distributions  on a more  frequent  basis to comply with the  distribution
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner  consistent
with the provisions of the Investment Company Act. Distributions from investment
income and from net profits realized on the sale of securities,  if any, will be
declared annually on or before December 31.

    THE OBJECTIVE OF THESE FUNDS IS CAPITAL  APPRECIATION AND NOT THE PRODUCTION
OF DISTRIBUTIONS. YOU SHOULD MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF YOUR INVESTMENT BY THE VALUE
OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND NOT BY THE DISTRIBUTIONS YOU RECEIVE.

    Participants in employer-sponsored  retirement or savings plan must reinvest
all  distributions.   For  shareholders   investing  through  taxable  accounts,
distributions  will be  reinvested  unless  you elect to  receive  them in cash.
Distributions of less than $10 generally will be reinvested.  Distributions made
shortly  after a  purchase  by check  or ACH may be held up to 15 days.  You may
elect to have distributions on shares held in certain IRAs and 403(b) plans paid
in cash only if you are at least  59(1)/(2) years old or permanently and totally
disabled.  Distribution  checks  normally are mailed within seven days after the
record date.

    A  distribution  on  shares of a fund  does not  increase  the value of your
shares or your total return. At any given time the value of your shares includes
the  undistributed  net  gains,  if any,  realized  by the  fund on the  sale of
portfolio securities,  and undistributed  dividends and interest received,  less
fund expenses.

    Because such gains and  dividends  are included in the value of your shares,
when they are  distributed  the value of your shares is reduced by the amount of
the  distribution.  If you buy your shares through a taxable account just before
the distribution,  you will pay the full price for your shares, and then receive
a portion of the  purchase  price back as a taxable  distribution.  See "Taxes,"
this page.

TAXES

    The funds  have  elected  to be taxed  under  Subchapter  M of the  Internal
Revenue  Code,  which  means that to the extent  its  income is  distributed  to
shareholders, it pays no income tax.

TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNTS

    If fund  shares  are  purchased  through  tax-deferred  accounts,  such as a
qualified  employer-sponsored  retirement  or savings  plan,  income and capital
gains distributions paid by the funds will generally not be


24    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW        AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


subject to current taxation,  but will accumulate in your account under the plan
on a tax-deferred basis.

    Employer-sponsored  retirement and savings plans are governed by complex tax
rules.  If you elect to participate in your employer's  plan,  consult your plan
administrator,  your plan's  summary plan  description,  or a  professional  tax
advisor   regarding  the  tax   consequences  of   participation  in  the  plan,
contributions to, and withdrawals or distributions from the plan.

TAXABLE ACCOUNTS

    If fund shares are purchased through taxable accounts,  distributions of net
investment  income  and net  short-term  capital  gains  are  taxable  to you as
ordinary income. The dividends from net income may qualify for the 70% dividends
received  deduction  for  corporations  to the extent  that the fund held shares
receiving the dividend for more than 45 days. Distributions from gains on assets
held  greater  than 12 months but no more than 18 months (28% rate gain)  and/or
assets held  greater  than 18 months  (20% rate gain) are  taxable as  long-term
gains  regardless of the length of time you have held the shares.  However,  you
should note that any loss  realized  upon the sale or  redemption of shares held
for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
of any distribution of long-term capital gain (28% or 20% rate gain) to you with
respect to such shares.

    Dividends  and interest  received by a fund on foreign  securities  may give
rise  to  withholding  and  other  taxes  imposed  by  foreign  countries.   Tax
conventions  between  certain  countries  and the  United  States  may reduce or
eliminate such taxes. Foreign countries generally do not impose taxes on capital
gains in respect of investments  by  non-resident  investors.  The foreign taxes
paid by a fund will reduce its dividends.

    If more  than 50% of the value of a fund's  total  assets at the end of each
quarter of its fiscal year consists of securities of foreign  corporations,  the
fund may qualify for and make an election with the Internal Revenue Service with
respect to such  fiscal  year so that fund  shareholders  may be able to claim a
foreign tax credit in lieu of a deduction  for foreign  income taxes paid by the
fund.  If such an election is made,  the foreign  taxes paid by the fund will be
treated as income  received by you. In order for the  shareholder to utilize the
foreign  tax  credit,  the mutual fund shares must have been held for 16 days or
more during the 30-day period,  beginning 15 days prior to the ex-dividend  date
for the mutual fund shares.  The mutual fund must meet a similar  holding period
requirement  with  respect  to  foreign   securities  to  which  a  dividend  is
attributable.  Any portion of the foreign tax credit  which is  ineligible  as a
result of the fund not meeting the holding period requirement will be separately
disclosed and may be eligible as an itemized deduction.

    If a fund purchases the securities of certain  foreign  investment  funds or
trusts called passive foreign investment companies (PFIC),  capital gains on the
sale of such  holdings  will be deemed to be ordinary  income  regardless of how
long the fund holds its  investment.  The fund may also be subject to  corporate
income tax and an interest charge on certain  dividends and capital gains earned
from  these  investments,  regardless  of  whether  such  income  and  gains are
distributed to shareholders. In the alternative, the fund may elect to recognize
cumulative  gains on such  investments as of the last day of its fiscal year and
distribute  it to  shareholders.  Any  distribution  attributable  to a PFIC  is
characterized as ordinary income.

    Distributions  are taxable to you  regardless  of whether  they are taken in
cash or reinvested,  even if the value of your shares is below your cost. If you
purchase shares shortly before a distribution,  you must pay income taxes on the
distribution,  even though the value of your investment (plus cash received,  if
any) will not have  increased.  In  addition,  the  share  price at the time you
purchase  shares may  include  unrealized  gains in the  securities  held in the
investment portfolio of the fund. If these portfolio securities are subsequently
sold and the gains are realized,  they will, to the extent not offset by capital
losses, be paid to you as a distribution of capital gains and will be taxable to
you as short-term or long-term capital gains (28% and/or 20% rate gain).

    In January of the year  following the  distribution,  if you own shares in a
taxable account, you will receive a Form 1099-DIV notifying you of the status of
your distributions for federal income tax purposes.

    Distributions may also be subject to state and local taxes, even if all or a
substantial part of such distribu-


PROSPECTUS                        ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW     25


tions are derived from interest on U.S.  government  obligations  which,  if you
received them directly, would be exempt from state income tax. However, most but
not all states allow this tax  exemption  to pass  through to fund  shareholders
when a fund pays distributions to its shareholders.  You should consult your tax
advisor about the tax status of such distributions in your own state.

    If you have not complied  with certain  provisions  of the Internal  Revenue
Code and  Regulations,  either we or your financial  intermediary is required by
federal law to withhold and remit to the IRS 31% of reportable  payments  (which
may include  dividends,  capital gains  distributions  and  redemptions).  Those
regulations  require  you to  certify  that the  Social  Security  number or tax
identification number you provide is correct and that you are not subject to 31%
withholding for previous  under-reporting  to the IRS. You will be asked to make
the appropriate certification on your application.  Payments reported by us that
omit your Social Security number or tax identification number will subject us to
a penalty  of $50,  which will be charged  against  your  account if you fail to
provide  the  certification  by  the  time  the  report  is  filed,  and  is not
refundable.

    Redemption  of shares of a fund  (including  redemption  made in an exchange
transaction)  will be a taxable  transaction for federal income tax purposes and
shareholders  will  generally  recognize  gain or loss in an amount equal to the
difference  between  the basis of the shares and the amount  received.  Assuming
that  shareholders hold such shares as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be
a capital gain or loss and will generally be considered long-term subject to tax
at a maximum rate of 28% (28% rate  gain/loss)  if  shareholders  have held such
shares  for a period  of more than 12  months  but no more  than 18  months  and
long-term  subject  to tax at a maximum  rate of 20%,  minimum  of 10% (20% rate
gain/loss)  if  shareholders  have held such shares for a period of more than 18
months. If a loss is realized on the redemption of fund shares, the reinvestment
in additional  fund shares within 30 days before or after the  redemption may be
subject to the "wash sale" rules of the Code, resulting in a postponement of the
recognition of such loss for federal income tax purposes.

MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

    Under  the  laws of the  State  of  Maryland,  the  Board  of  Directors  is
responsible for managing the business and affairs of the funds.  Acting pursuant
to an  investment  management  agreement  entered into with the funds,  American
Century  Investment  Management,  Inc.  serves as the investment  manager of the
funds.  Its principal  place of business is American  Century  Tower,  4500 Main
Street,  Kansas City, Missouri 64111. The manager has been providing  investment
advisory services to investment companies and institutional clients since it was
founded in 1958.

    The manager  supervises and manages the  investment  portfolios of each fund
and directs the  purchase  and sale of its  investment  securities.  It utilizes
teams of portfolio  managers,  assistant  portfolio managers and analysts acting
together to manage the assets of the funds.  The teams meet  regularly to review
portfolio  holdings and to discuss purchase and sale activity.  The teams adjust
holdings in the funds'  portfolios  as they deem  appropriate  in pursuit of the
funds' investment  objectives.  Individual portfolio manager members of the team
may also  adjust  portfolio  holdings  of the funds as  necessary  between  team
meetings.

    The portfolio  manager  members of the teams managing the funds described in
this  Prospectus  and  their  work  experience  for the last  five  years are as
follows:

    JAMES E. STOWERS III, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager,  joined
American Century in 1981. He is a member of the team that manages Ultra.

    HAROLD S. BRADLEY,  Vice President and Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in 1988.  For the past 10 years,  Mr.  Bradley  has  managed  the global
equity, futures and foreign exchange trading activities for American Century. He
is a member of the team that manages Heritage.

    ARNOLD K. DOUVILLE,  Vice President and Portfolio  Manager,  joined American
Century in November 1997. Prior to joining American Century, Mr. Douville served
as Senior Portfolio Manager for Munder Capital Management. He is a member of the
team that manages Vista.


26     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


    GLENN A. FOGLE,  Vice  President  and  Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in September  1990 as an  Investment  Analyst,  a position he held until
March 1993. At that time he was promoted to Portfolio Manager. He is a member of
the team that manages Vista.

    C. KIM GOODWIN,  Vice  President  and  Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in October 1997. Prior to joining American  Century,  Ms. Goodwin served
as Senior Vice President and Portfolio  Manager at Putnam  Investments  from May
1996 to September  1997 and Vice  President and Portfolio  Manager at Prudential
Investments  from February 1993 to April 1996.  Prior to that,  she served as an
Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Mellon Bank  Corporation.  She
is a member of the team that manages Growth.

    JEAN C.  LEDFORD,  Vice  President and Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in January 1997. Prior to joining American  Century,  Ms. Ledford worked
for the State of Wisconsin  Investment Board as an Investment Director from 1994
to 1996 and as an Assistant  Investment  Director from 1983 to 1994. Ms. Ledford
is a member of the team that manages Select.

    LINDA K. PETERSON,  Portfolio Manager,  joined American Century in 1986. She
served as an  Investment  Analyst for American  Century  growth-oriented  equity
funds, including Heritage, from April 1994 until February 1998. She was promoted
to  Portfolio  Manager in March 1998.  She is a member of the team that  manages
Heritage.

    JOHN R. SYKORA, Portfolio Manager, joined American Century in May 1994 as an
Investment  Analyst,  a position he held until August 1997.  At that time he was
promoted to Portfolio  Manager.  Prior to joining American  Century,  My. Sykora
served as a Financial  Analyst for Business Men's Assurance  Company of America,
Kansas City, Missouri,  from August 1993 to April 1994. Prior to that Mr. Sykora
attended Michigan State University where he obtained his MBA degree.  Mr. Sykora
is a member of the team that manages Ultra.

    BRUCE A. WIMBERLY,  Portfolio Manager,  joined American Century in September
1994 as an Investment  Analyst, a position he held until July 1996. At that time
he was promoted to Portfolio  Manager.  Prior to joining American  Century,  Mr.
Wimberly attended Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University
from  August 1992 to August  1994,  where he  obtained  his MBA degree.  He is a
member of the team that manages Ultra.

    The  activities  of the manager are subject only to directions of the funds'
Board of  Directors.  The  manager  pays all the  expenses  of the funds  except
brokerage,  taxes,  interest,  fees and  expenses of the  non-interested  person
directors (including counsel fees) and extraordinary expenses.

    For the  services  provided to the Advisor  Class of the funds,  the manager
receives an annual fee of 0.75% of the average net assets of each of the funds.

    On the first business day of each month,  each fund pays a management fee to
the  manager  for the  previous  month  at the rate  specified.  The fee for the
previous month is calculated by multiplying  the applicable fee for each fund by
the  aggregate  average daily closing value of the series' net assets during the
previous  month,  and  further  multiplying  that  product  by a  fraction,  the
numerator  of  which  is the  number  of  days  in the  previous  month  and the
denominator of which is 365 (366 in leap years).

CODE OF ETHICS

    The funds and the  manager  have  adopted  a Code of Ethics  that  restricts
personal  investing  practices by  employees of the manager and its  affiliates.
Among other  provisions,  the Code of Ethics requires that employees with access
to information about the purchase or sale of securities in the funds' portfolios
obtain  preclearance before executing personal trades. With respect to Portfolio
Managers  and  other  investment   personnel,   the  Code  of  Ethics  prohibits
acquisition  of securities  in an initial  public  offering,  as well as profits
derived from the purchase and sale of the same security within 60 calendar days.
These provisions are designed to ensure that the interests of fund  shareholders
come before the interests of the people who manage those funds.

TRANSFER AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

    American  Century  Services  Corporation,  4500 Main  Street,  Kansas  City,
Missouri 64111, acts as transfer agent and dividend-paying  agent for the funds.
It provides  facilities,  equipment and personnel to the funds,  and is paid for
such services by the manager.


PROSPECTUS           ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW        27


    From time to time,  special  services  may be  offered to  shareholders  who
maintain  higher  share  balances  in our family of funds.  These  services  may
include the waiver of minimum investment requirements, expedited confirmation of
shareholder  transactions,  newsletters and a team of personal  representatives.
Any expenses associated with these special services will be paid by the manager.

    The manager and  transfer  agent are both wholly  owned by American  Century
Companies, Inc. James E. Stowers Jr., Chairman of the funds' Board of Directors,
controls  American Century Companies by virtue of his ownership of a majority of
its common stock.

    Pursuant  to  a  Sub-Administration   Agreement  with  the  manager,   Funds
Distributor,  Inc. (FDI) serves as the  Co-Administrator  for the funds.  FDI is
responsible for (i) providing  certain  officers of the funds and (ii) reviewing
and filing  marketing and sales  literature on behalf of the funds. The fees and
expenses of FDI are paid by the manager out of its unified fee.

DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES

    The funds' shares are distributed by FDI, a registered broker-dealer. FDI is
a wholly-owned  indirect  subsidiary of Boston  Institutional  Group, Inc. FDI's
principal business address is 60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.

    Investors  may  open  accounts  with  American   Century  only  through  the
distributor.  All purchase  transactions in the funds offered by this Prospectus
are  processed  by the  transfer  agent,  which  is  authorized  to  accept  any
instructions relating to fund accounts.  All purchase orders must be accepted by
the  distributor.  All fees and expenses of FDI in acting as distributor for the
funds are paid by the manager.

SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION FEES

    Rule 12b-1 adopted by the Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") under
the  Investment  Company Act permits  investment  companies that adopt a written
plan to pay certain  expenses  associated with the distribution of their shares.
Pursuant to that rule, the funds' Board of Directors and the initial shareholder
of the funds'  Advisor  Class  shares have  approved  and entered  into a Master
Distribution  and Shareholder  Services Plan (the "Plan") with the  distributor.
Pursuant  to  the  Plan,  each  fund  pays  a  shareholder  services  fee  and a
distribution  fee,  each  equal to 0.25% (for a total of 0.50%) per annum of the
average  daily  net  assets of the  shares  of the  fund's  Advisor  Class.  The
shareholder services fee is paid for the purpose of paying the costs of securing
certain  shareholder and  administrative  services,  and the distribution fee is
paid for the  purpose  of paying  the costs of  providing  various  distribution
services. All or a portion of such fees are paid by the manager, as paying agent
for the  funds,  to the  banks,  broker-dealers,  insurance  companies  or other
financial intermediaries through which such shares are made available.

    The Plan has been adopted and will be  administered  in accordance  with the
requirements  of Rule 12b-1 under the  Investment  Company Act.  For  additional
information  about  the  Plan  and  its  terms,  see  "Master  Distribution  and
Shareholder Services Plan" in the Statement of Additional Information. Fees paid
pursuant to the Plan may be paid for shareholder services and the maintenance of
accounts and therefore may constitute  "service fees" for purposes of applicable
rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT AMERICAN CENTURY

    American Century Mutual Funds,  Inc., the issuer of the funds, was organized
as a Maryland corporation on July 2, 1990. The corporation  commenced operations
on February 28, 1991, the date it merged with Twentieth Century Investors, Inc.,
a Delaware  corporation which had been in business since October 1958.  Pursuant
to the  terms of the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger  dated  July 27,  1990,  the
Maryland  corporation was the surviving entity and continued the business of the
Delaware corporation with the same officers and directors, the same shareholders
and the same investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

    The  principal  office of the funds is  American  Century  Tower,  4500 Main
Street, P.O. Box 419385, Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6385.  All inquiries may be
made by mail to that  address,  or by  phone  to  1-800-345-3533  (international
calls: 816-531-5575).

    American  Century  Mutual  Funds,  Inc.  issues  13 series of $.01 par value
shares. Each series is


28     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


commonly  referred to as a fund.  The assets  belonging to each series of shares
are held separately by the custodian.

    American  Century  offers  four  classes of each of the funds:  an  Investor
Class,  an  Institutional  Class,  a Service Class,  and the Advisor Class.  The
shares offered by this Prospectus are Advisor Class shares.

    The Investor  Class is primarily  made  available to retail  investors.  The
Institutional  Class and Service  Class are primarily  offered to  institutional
investors   or   through   institutional    distribution   channels,   such   as
employer-sponsored retirement plans or through banks, broker-dealers,  insurance
companies or other  financial  intermediaries.  The other classes have different
fees, expenses,  and/or minimum investment  requirements than the Advisor Class.
The  difference in the fee  structures  among the classes is the result of their
separate  arrangements  for  shareholder and  distribution  services and not the
result of any difference in amounts  charged by the manager for core  investment
advisory  services.  Accordingly,  the core investment  advisory expenses do not
vary by  class.  Different  fees  and  expenses  will  affect  performance.  For
additional  information concerning the Investor Class of shares, call one of our
Investor Services Representatives at 1-800-345-2021.  For information concerning
the  Institutional or Service Classes of shares,  call one of our  Institutional
Service  Representatives at 1-800-345-3533 or contact a sales  representative or
financial intermediary who offers those classes of shares.

    Except as described  below,  all classes of shares of a fund have  identical
voting,  dividend,   liquidation  and  other  rights,  preferences,   terms  and
conditions.  The only  differences  among the various classes are (a) each class
may be subject to different  expenses specific to that class, (b) each class has
a different identifying designation or name, (c) each class has exclusive voting
rights with respect to matters solely  affecting such class,  (d) each class may
have different exchange privileges,  and (e) the Institutional Class may provide
for automatic  conversion  from that class into shares of the Investor  Class of
the same fund.

    Each  share,  irrespective  of series or class,  is entitled to one vote for
each dollar of net asset value applicable to such share on all questions, except
for those  matters  that must be voted on  separately  by the series or class of
shares affected.  Matters affecting only one series or class are voted upon only
by that series or class.

    Shares have  non-cumulative  voting rights,  which means that the holders of
more than 50% of the votes cast in an election of directors can elect all of the
directors  if  they  choose  to do so,  and in such  event  the  holders  of the
remaining  votes will not be able to elect any person or persons to the Board of
Directors.

    Unless required by the Investment  Company Act, it will not be necessary for
the funds to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a result, shareholders may
not vote each year on the election of directors or the  appointment of auditors.
However,  pursuant to the funds' by-laws,  the holders of shares representing at
least 10% of the votes  entitled to be cast may request a fund to hold a special
meeting  of  shareholders.  We  will  assist  in the  communication  with  other
shareholders.

    WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF OUR POLICIES, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES
DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION,
WITHOUT  SHAREHOLDER  APPROVAL  EXCEPT  IN  THOSE  INSTANCES  WHERE  SHAREHOLDER
APPROVAL IS EXPRESSLY REQUIRED.


PROSPECTUS                   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW        29


P.O. BOX 419385
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
64141-6385

INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES:
1-800-345-3533 OR 816-531-5575

TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF:
1-800-345-1833 OR 816-444-3038

FAX: 816-340-4655

www.americancentury.com


                            [american century logo]
                                    American
                                Century(reg.sm)

9803           [recycled logo]
SH-BKT-11930      Recycled
<PAGE>
                                   PROSPECTUS


                            [american century logo]
                                    American
                                Century(reg.sm)


                                 MARCH 1, 1998
                             Revised March 13, 1998

                                   TWENTIETH
                                    CENTURY
                                     GROUP

                                    Select
                                   Heritage
                                    Growth
                                     Ultra
                                     Vista

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS


                         AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

                                FAMILY OF FUNDS

    American  Century  Investments  offers you nearly 70 fund  choices  covering
stocks, bonds, money markets,  specialty investments and blended portfolios.  To
help you find the funds that may meet your investment  needs,  American  Century
funds  have  been  divided  into  three  groups  based on  investment  style and
objectives. These groups, which appear below, are designed to help simplify your
fund decisions.

                          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BENHAM GROUP(reg.tm)        AMERICAN CENTURY GROUP       TWENTIETH CENTURY GROUP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  MONEY MARKET FUNDS         ASSET ALLOCATION                GROWTH FUNDS
 GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS      &  BALANCED FUNDS             INTERNATIONAL FUNDS
DIVERSIFIED BOND FUNDS   CONSERVATIVE EQUITY FUNDS
 MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS        SPECIALTY FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Select * Heritage * Growth
                                                             Ultra * Vista


                                  PROSPECTUS

                                 MARCH 1, 1998
                             Revised March 13, 1998

                          Select * Heritage * Growth

                                 Ultra * Vista

                              INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

                      AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.

    American  Century  Mutual  Funds,   Inc.  is  a  part  of  American  Century
Investments,  a family of funds that  includes  nearly 70 no-load  mutual  funds
covering  a variety  of  investment  opportunities.  Five of the funds  from our
Twentieth Century Group that invest primarily in equity securities are described
in this  Prospectus.  Their  investment  objectives are listed on page 2 of this
Prospectus. The other funds are described in separate prospectuses.

    Each fund's  shares  offered in this  Prospectus  (the  Institutional  Class
shares) are sold at their net asset value with no sales charges or commissions.

    The  Institutional  Class  shares are made  available  for purchase by large
institutional  shareholders,  such  as  bank  trust  departments,  corporations,
endowments,  foundations  and financial  advisors  that meet the funds'  minimum
investment  requirements.  Institutional  Class  shares  are not  available  for
purchase  by  insurance  companies  or  participant-directed  employer-sponsored
retirement plans.

    This Prospectus  gives you information  about the funds that you should know
before investing. Please read this Prospectus carefully and retain it for future
reference.  Additional  information  is included in the  Statement of Additional
Information  dated March 1, 1998,  and filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.  It is incorporated  into this Prospectus by reference.  To obtain a
copy without charge, call or write:


                         AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS
                      4500 Main Street * P.O. Box 419385
              Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6385 * 1-800-345-3533
                       International calls: 816-531-5575
                    Telecommunications Device for the Deaf:
                  1-800-345-1833 * In Missouri: 816-444-3038
                      Internet: www.americancentury.com


    Additional  information,  including  this  Prospectus  and the  Statement of
Additional Information,  may be obtained by accessing the Web site maintained by
the SEC (www.sec.gov).

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION,  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

PROSPECTUS                                                                     1


                      INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE FUNDS

 AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
 SELECT FUND

 AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
 HERITAGE FUND

    The Select and  Heritage  funds seek  capital  growth.  The funds  intend to
pursue their  investment  objectives by investing  primarily in common stocks of
companies  that  are  considered  by  management  to  have   better-than-average
prospects for appreciation. As a matter of fundamental policy, 80% of the assets
of the Select fund and 60% of the assets of the  Heritage  fund must be invested
in  securities  of  companies  that have a record of  paying  dividends  or have
committed  themselves to the payment of regular dividends,  or otherwise produce
income.

 AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
 GROWTH FUND

 AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
 ULTRA FUND

 AMERICAN CENTURY - TWENTIETH CENTURY
 VISTA FUND

    The Growth,  Ultra and Vista funds seek capital growth.  The funds intend to
pursue their investment  objectives by investing primarily in common stocks that
are  considered  by  management  to  have   better-than-average   prospects  for
appreciation.

                There is no assurance that the funds will achieve
                     their respective investment objectives.

NO  PERSON  IS  AUTHORIZED  BY THE  FUNDS  TO GIVE ANY  INFORMATION  OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN OTHER PRINTED
OR WRITTEN MATERIAL ISSUED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE FUNDS, AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY
ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION.

2      INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES                  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Investment Objectives of the Funds ........................................ 2

 Transaction and Operating Expense Table ................................... 4

 Financial Highlights ...................................................... 5

 Performance Information of Other Class ....................................10

 INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS

 Investment Policies of the Funds ..........................................15

    Growth Equity Funds ....................................................15

    Select and Heritage ....................................................15

    Growth, Ultra and Vista ................................................15

 Other Investment Practices, Their Characteristics
 and Risks .................................................................16

    Foreign Securities .....................................................16

    Forward Currency Exchange Contracts ....................................16

    Portfolio Turnover .....................................................17

    Repurchase Agreements ..................................................17

    Futures and Options ....................................................17

    Derivative Securities ..................................................18

    When-Issued Securities .................................................19

    Rule 144A Securities ...................................................19

    Investments in Companies
       with Limited Operating History ......................................19

    Short Sales ............................................................20

 Performance Advertising ...................................................20

 HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


 American Century Investments ..............................................21

 Investing in American Century .............................................21

 How to Open an Account ....................................................21

            By Mail ........................................................21

            By Wire ........................................................21

            By Exchange ....................................................21

            In Person ......................................................22

       Subsequent Investments ..............................................22

            By Mail ........................................................22

            By Telephone ...................................................22

            By Wire ........................................................22

            In Person ......................................................22

       Automatic Investment Plan ...........................................22

  Minimum Investment .......................................................22

  How to Exchange from One Account to Another ..............................22

            By Mail ........................................................23

            By Telephone ...................................................23

  How to Redeem Shares .....................................................23

            By Mail ........................................................23

            By Telephone ...................................................23

            By Check-A-Month ...............................................23

            Other Automatic Redemptions ....................................23

       Redemption Proceeds .................................................23

            By Check .......................................................23

            By Wire and ACH ................................................23

       Special Requirements for Large Redemptions ..........................23

  Signature Guarantee ......................................................24

  Special Shareholder Services .............................................24

            Open Order Service .............................................24

            Tax-Qualified Retirement Plans .................................25

  Important Policies Regarding Your Investments ............................25

  Reports to Shareholders ..................................................25

 Customers of Banks, Broker-Dealers and

    Other Financial Intermediaries .........................................26

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW

 Share Price ...............................................................27

    When Share Price Is Determined .........................................27

    How Share Price Is Determined ..........................................27

    Where to Find Information About Share Price ............................28

 Distributions .............................................................28

 Taxes .....................................................................28

    Tax-Deferred Accounts ..................................................28

    Taxable Accounts .......................................................29

 Management ................................................................30

    Investment Management ..................................................30

    Code of Ethics .........................................................31

    Transfer and Administrative Services ...................................31

 Distribution of Fund Shares ...............................................32

 Further Information About American Century ................................32

PROSPECTUS                                        TABLE OF CONTENTS          3


                    TRANSACTION AND OPERATING EXPENSE TABLE

                                Select, Heritage,
                              Growth, Ultra, Vista

SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:

Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases ........................ none

Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends ............. none

Deferred Sales Load ............................................ none

Redemption Fee ................................................. none

Exchange Fee ................................................... none


ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES:
 (as a percentage of net assets)

Management Fees ................................................0.80%

12b-1 Fees ..................................................... none

Other Expenses(1) ..............................................0.00%

Total Fund Operating Expenses ..................................0.80%

EXAMPLE:

You would pay the following expenses on a                1 year  $  8
$1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return and      3 years    26
redemption at the end of each time period:              5 years    44
                                                       10 years    99

(1)  Other  expenses,  which  includes  the fees and expenses  (including  legal
     counsel  fees) of  those  directors  who are not  "interested  persons"  as
     defined in the Investment Company Act, were less than 0.01 of 1% of average
     net assets for the most recent fiscal year.


    The purpose of this table is to help you  understand  the various  costs and
expenses  that you,  as a  shareholder,  will bear  directly  or  indirectly  in
connection  with an  investment  in the class of shares of the funds  offered by
this  Prospectus.  The  example  set forth  above  assumes  reinvestment  of all
dividends and  distributions  and uses a 5% annual rate of return as required by
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

    NEITHER  THE 5% RATE OF  RETURN  NOR THE  EXPENSES  SHOWN  ABOVE  SHOULD  BE
CONSIDERED  INDICATIONS OF PAST OR FUTURE  RETURNS AND EXPENSES.  ACTUAL RETURNS
AND EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.

    The shares offered by this Prospectus are  Institutional  Class shares.  The
funds  offer  three  other  classes of shares,  one of which is  primarily  made
available  to retail  investors  and two that are  primarily  made  available to
institutional  investors.  The other classes have different fee structures  than
the Institutional  Class. The difference in the fee structures among the classes
is the result of their separate  arrangements  for shareholder and  distribution
services and not the result of any difference in amounts  charged by the manager
for core investment advisory services. Accordingly, the core investment advisory
expenses do not vary by class.  A  difference  in fees will result in  different
performance  for those  classes.  For additional  information  about the various
classes, see "Further Information About American Century," page 32.


4  TRANSACTION AND OPERATING EXPENSE TABLE          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                    SELECT

  The sale of the  Institutional  Class of the fund commenced on March 13, 1997.
Performance  information  of the  original  class  of  shares,  which  commenced
operations on October 31, 1958, is presented on page 10.

  The  Financial  Highlights  for the  period  presented  have been  audited  by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in the
fund's annual report,  which is  incorporated by reference into the Statement of
Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains  additional  performance
information  and  will  be made  available  without  charge  upon  request.  The
information  presented is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the period ended
October 31.

                                                                      1997(1)

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period .........................................   $      40.56
                                                                ------------

Income From Investment Operations

  Net Investment Income(2) ..................................           0.13

  Net Realized and Unrealized
  Gain on Investment Transactions ...........................           7.55
                                                                        ----

Total From
Investment Operations .......................................           7.68
                                                                        ----

Net Asset Value,
End of Period ...............................................   $      48.24
                                                                ============

Total Return(3) .............................................          18.93%


RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets ...........           0.80%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets ........           0.45%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate .....................................             94%

Average Commission Paid per Share of Equity Security Traded .   $     0.0457

Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) ....................   $     11,486

(1) March 13, 1997 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.

(2) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(3) Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends   and  capital  gains
    distributions, if any. Total return is not annualized.

(4) Annualized.

PROSPECTUS                                     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS        5


                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                   HERITAGE

  The sale of the  Institutional  Class of the fund  commenced on June 16, 1997.
Performance  information  of the  original  class  of  shares,  which  commenced
operations on November 10, 1958, is presented on page 11.

  The  Financial  Highlights  for the  period  presented  have been  audited  by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in the
fund's annual report,  which is  incorporated by reference into the Statement of
Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains  additional  performance
information  and  will  be made  available  without  charge  upon  request.  The
information  presented is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the period ended
October 31.

                                                                        1997(1)

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period ...........................................    $   13.60
                                                                   ---------

Income From Investment Operations

 Net Investment Income(2) .....................................         0.01

 Net Realized and Unrealized
 Gain on Investment Transactions ..............................         1.26
                                                                        ----

Total From
Investment Operations .........................................         1.27
                                                                        ----

Net Asset Value,
End of Period .................................................    $   14.87
                                                                   =========

Total Return(3) ...............................................         9.34%


RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets .............         0.80%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets ..........         0.21%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate .......................................           69%

Average Commission Paid per Share of Equity Security Traded ...    $  0.0436

Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) ......................    $     129

(1) June 16, 1997 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.

(2) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(3) Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends   and  capital  gains
    distributions, if any. Total return is not annualized.

(4) Annualized.

6      FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                    GROWTH

  The sale of the  Institutional  Class of the fund  commenced on June 16, 1997.
Performance  information  of the  original  class  of  shares,  which  commenced
operations on October 31, 1958, is presented on page 12.

  The  Financial  Highlights  for the  period  presented  have been  audited  by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in the
fund's annual report,  which is  incorporated by reference into the Statement of
Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains  additional  performance
information  and  will  be made  available  without  charge  upon  request.  The
information  presented is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the period ended
October 31.

                                                                       1997(1)


PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period ...........................................    $   25.75
                                                                   ---------

Income From Investment Operations

  Net Investment Income(2) ....................................         0.01

  Net Realized and Unrealized
  Gain on Investment Transactions .............................         2.12
                                                                        ----

Total From
Investment Operations .........................................         2.13
                                                                        ----

Net Asset Value,
End of Period .................................................    $   27.88
                                                                   =========

Total Return(3) ...............................................         8.27%


RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets .............         0.80%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets ..........         0.07%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate .......................................           75%

Average Commission Paid per Share of Equity Security Traded ...    $  0.0393

Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) ......................    $     171

(1) June 16, 1997 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.

(2) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(3) Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends   and  capital  gains
    distributions, if any. Total return is not annualized.

(4) Annualized.

PROSPECTUS                                     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS           7


                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                     ULTRA

  The sale of the  Institutional  Class of the fund  commenced  on November  14,
1996.  Performance  information of the original class of shares, which commenced
operations on November 2, 1981, is presented on page 13.

  The  Financial  Highlights  for the  period  presented  have been  audited  by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in the
fund's annual report,  which is  incorporated by reference into the Statement of
Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains  additional  performance
information  and  will  be made  available  without  charge  upon  request.  The
information  presented is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the period ended
October 31.

                                                                       1997(1)


PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period ..........................................    $   30.78
                                                                  ---------

Income From Investment Operations

 Net Investment Income(2) ....................................         0.06

 Net Realized and Unrealized
 Gain on Investment Transactions .............................         4.38
                                                                       ----

Total From
Investment Operations ........................................         4.44
                                                                       ----

Distributions

 From Net Realized Gains on Investment Transactions ..........        (1.69)
                                                                      ----- 

Net Asset Value,
End of Period ................................................    $   33.53
                                                                  =========

Total Return(3) ..............................................        15.28%


RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets ............         0.80%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets .........         0.23%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate ......................................          107%

Average Commission Paid per Share of Equity Security Traded ..    $  0.0398

Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) .....................    $     334

(1)November 14, 1996 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.

(2)Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(3)Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
   distributions, if any. Total return is not annualized.

(4)Annualized.

  8    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                             FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                     VISTA

  The sale of the  Institutional  Class of the fund  commenced  on November  14,
1996.  Performance  information of the original class of shares, which commenced
operations on November 25, 1983, is presented on page 14.

  The  Financial  Highlights  for the  period  presented  have been  audited  by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in the
fund's annual report,  which is  incorporated by reference into the Statement of
Additional  Information.  The  annual  report  contains  additional  performance
information  and  will  be made  available  without  charge  upon  request.  The
information  presented is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the period ended
October 31.

                                                                        1997(1)

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period ...........................................    $  15.73
                                                                   --------

Income From Investment Operations

  Net Investment Loss(2) ......................................       (0.07)

  Net Realized and Unrealized
  Gain on Investment Transactions .............................        0.08
                                                                       ----

Total From
Investment Operations .........................................        0.01
                                                                       ----

Distributions

  From Net Realized Gains on Investment Transactions ..........       (1.18)
                                                                      ----- 

Net Asset Value,
End of Period .................................................    $  14.56
                                                                   ========

Total Return(3) ...............................................        0.17%


RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets .............        0.80%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets ..........    (0.53)%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate .......................................          96%

Average Commission Paid per Share of Equity Security Traded ...    $ 0.0292

Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands) ......................    $     14

(1)November 14, 1996 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 1997.

(2)Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(3)Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
   distributions, if any. Total return is not annualized.

(4)Annualized.

PROSPECTUS                                     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS          9


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                    SELECT

  The  Institutional  Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996. The
financial  information in this table  regarding  selected per share data for the
fund reflects the performance of the fund's Investor Class of shares,  which has
a total expense ratio that is 0.20% higher than the Institutional Class. Had the
Institutional  Class  been in  existence  for the  fund  for  the  time  periods
presented, the fund's performance information would be higher as a result of the
lower expenses.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors  whose  report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                     1997    1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991     1990      1989      1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                  <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>   
Beginning of Year .................. $41.52  $39.52   $37.67    $45.76    $39.18    $40.79    $34.19   $35.98    $27.85    $32.69
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Income From
Investment Operations

 Net Investment Income ............. 0.15(1)  0.20(1)  0.33(1)   0.40      0.46      0.53      0.63     0.62      1.10      0.64

 Net Realized and
  Unrealized Gain(Loss) on
  Investment Transactions ..........  10.51   6.73     4.68     (3.59)     7.94      0.34      8.17    (1.29)     7.74      1.37
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
 Total From
 Investment Operations .............  10.66   6.93     5.01     (3.19)     8.40      0.87      8.80    (0.67)     8.84      2.01
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Distributions

 From Net Investment Income ........ (0.32)  (0.27)   (0.28)    (0.43)    (0.49)    (0.65)    (0.65)   (1.12)    (0.71)    (0.48)

 From Net Realized Gains on
 Investment Transactions ........... (3.68)  (4.66)   (2.75)    (4.47)    (1.31)    (1.83)    (1.55)     --        --      (6.37)

 In Excess of
 Net Realized Gains ................   --       --    (0.13)      --      (0.02)      --        --       --        --        --
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
 Total Distributions ............... (4.00)  (4.93)   (3.16)    (4.90)    (1.82)    (2.48)    (2.20)   (1.12)    (0.71)    (6.85)
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Net Asset Value, End of Year ....... $48.18  $41.52   $39.52    $37.67    $45.76    $39.18    $40.79   $34.19    $35.98    $27.85
                                     ======  ======   ======    ======    ======    ======    ======   ======    ======    ======

 Total Return(2) ................... 27.89%  19.76%   15.02%    (7.37)%   22.20%     1.76%    27.05%   (2.03)%   32.59%     7.31%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets .............. 1.00%   1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
to Average Net Assets .............. 0.33%   0.5%      0.9%      1.0%      1.1%      1.4%      1.7%     1.8%      3.4%      2.2%

Portfolio Turnover Rate ............ 94%     105%      106%      126%       82%       95%       84%      83%       93%      140%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded .... $0.0457  $0.0410  $0.0460   --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) .............. $4,769  $4,039   $4,008    $4,278    $5,160    $4,534    $4,163   $2,953    $2,721    $2,367

</TABLE>

(1)Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(2)Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
   distributions, if any.

(3)Disclosure of average commission paid per share of equity security traded was
   not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.

10  PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                   HERITAGE

  The  Institutional  Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996. The
financial  information in this table  regarding  selected per share data for the
fund reflects the performance of the fund's Investor Class of shares,  which has
a total expense ratio that is 0.20% higher than the Institutional Class. Had the
Institutional  Class  been in  existence  for the  fund  for  the  time  periods
presented, the fund's performance information would be higher as a result of the
lower expenses.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors  whose  report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31, except as noted.

                                    1997     1996     1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989     1988(1)

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                 <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>  
Beginning of Period ..............  $12.24  $11.75   $10.32    $11.03     $9.30     $8.59     $6.55     $8.15     $6.21     $5.00
                                    ------  ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Income From
Investment Operations

  Net Investment Income ..........  0.01(2)  --(2)   0.05(2)    0.07      0.07      0.10      0.11      0.10      0.08      0.06

  Net Realized and
  Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
  Investment Transactions ........   3.41   1.15     1.96      (0.21)     2.43       0.72      2.04     (0.94)     1.93      1.16
                                    ------  ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
  Total from
  Investment Operations ..........   3.42   1.15     2.01      (0.14)     2.50       0.82      2.15     (0.84)     2.01      1.22
                                    ------  ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Distributions

  From Net Investment Income .....  (0.09)  (0.05)   (0.03)    (0.06)    (0.09)    (0.11)    (0.11)    (0.07)    (0.07)    (0.01)

  From Net Realized Gains on
  Investment Transactions ........  (0.71)  (0.61)   (0.52)    (0.50)    (0.68)      --        --      (0.69)      --        --

  In Excess of
  Net Realized Gains .............     --     --     (0.03)    (0.01)      --        --        --        --        --        --
                                    ------  ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
  Total Distributions ............  (0.80)  (0.66)   (0.58)    (0.57)    (0.77)    (0.11)    (0.11)    (0.76)    (0.07)    (0.01)
                                    ------  ------   ------    ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
Net Asset Value, End of Period ...  $14.86  $12.24   $11.75    $10.32    $11.03     $9.30     $8.59     $6.55     $8.15     $6.21
                                    ======  ======   ======    ======    ======     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====

  Total Return(3) ................  29.56%  10.44%   21.04%    (1.13)%   28.64%     9.65%    33.25%   (11.62)%   32.65%    25.75%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ............  1.00%    0.99%    0.99%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%   1.00%(4)

Ratio of Net Investment Income
to Average Net Assets ............  0.05%     --      0.5%      0.7%      0.7%      1.1%      1.5%      1.6%      1.3%     1.4%(4)

Portfolio Turnover Rate ..........  69%      122%     121%      136%      116%      119%      146%      127%      159%     130%(4)

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded ..  $0.0436  $0.0420  $0.0420   --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)     --(5)

Net Assets, End
of Period (in millions) ..........  $1,321  $1,083   $1,008     $897      $702      $369      $269      $199      $117       $55

</TABLE>

(1) November 10, 1987 (inception) through October 31, 1988.

(2) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(3) Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends   and  capital  gains
    distributions,  if any.  Total return for periods less than one year are not
    annualized.

(4) Annualized.

(5) Disclosure of average  commission  paid per share of equity  security traded
    was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.

PROSPECTUS                   PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS         11

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                    GROWTH

  The  Institutional  Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996. The
financial  information in this table  regarding  selected per share data for the
fund reflects the performance of the fund's Investor Class of shares,  which has
a total expense ratio that is 0.20% higher than the Institutional Class. Had the
Institutional  Class  been in  existence  for the  fund  for  the  time  periods
presented, the fund's performance information would be higher as a result of the
lower expenses.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors  whose  report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                     1997    1996      1995     1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                 <C>     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>   
Beginning of Year ................. $22.21  $23.88    $22.99    $25.27    $23.64    $22.32    $14.81   $17.44    $12.54    $15.62
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Income From Investment Operations

 Net Investment Income (Loss) ..... 0.01(1)  (0.01)(1)  0.08(1)  0.06      0.06     (0.02)     0.04     0.09      0.08      0.30

 Net Realized and
 Unrealized Gain
 (Loss) on Investment
 Transactions .....................  6.07     1.47     4.08      0.48      1.94      1.35      8.47    (2.05)     5.14      0.13
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
 Total from
 Investment Operations ............  6.08    1.46      4.16      0.54      2.00      1.33      8.51    (1.96)     5.22      0.43
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Distributions

 From Net Investment Income ....... (0.18)  (0.07)    (0.05)    (0.06)      --      (0.01)    (0.11)   (0.08)    (0.32)    (0.05)

 From Net Realized Gains
 on Investment Transactions ....... (0.25)  (2.98)    (3.18)    (2.76)    (0.36)      --      (0.89)   (0.59)      --      (3.46)

 In Excess of
 Net Realized Gains ...............    --   (0.08)    (0.04)      --      (0.01)      --        --       --        --        --
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
 Total Distributions .............. (0.43)  (3.13)    (3.27)    (2.82)    (0.37)    (0.01)    (1.00)   (0.67)    (0.32)    (3.51)
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------   ------    ------    ------
Net Asset Value, End of Year ...... $27.86  $22.21    $23.88    $22.99    $25.27    $23.64    $22.32   $14.81    $17.44    $12.54
                                    ======  ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======   ======    ======    ======

 Total Return(2) .................. 27.85%   8.18%    22.31%     2.66%     8.48%     5.96%    60.64%   (11.72)%  42.74%     3.18%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets ............. 1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets ...... 0.02%   (0.1)%     0.4%      0.3%      0.2%     (0.1)%     0.2%     0.6%      0.5%      2.4%

Portfolio Turnover Rate ........... 75%      122%      141%      100%       94%       53%       69%     118%       98%      143%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded ... $0.0393  $0.0360  $0.0400    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) ............. $5,113  $4,765    $5,130    $4,363    $4,641    $4,472    $3,193   $1,697    $1,597    $1,229

</TABLE>

(1) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(2) Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends   and  capital  gains
    distributions, if any.

(3) Disclosure of average  commission  paid per share of equity  security traded
    was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.

12     PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS   AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                     ULTRA

  The  Institutional  Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996. The
financial  information in this table  regarding  selected per share data for the
fund reflects the performance of the fund's Investor Class of shares,  which has
a total expense ratio that is 0.20% higher than the Institutional Class. Had the
Institutional  Class  been in  existence  for the  fund  for  the  time  periods
presented, the fund's performance information would be higher as a result of the
lower expenses.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche  LLP,  independent  auditor  whose  report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                     1997     1996     1995     1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989       1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                 <C>     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>  
Beginning of Year                   $29.52  $28.03    $21.16    $21.61    $15.46    $15.53     $7.73    $9.63     $6.86     $8.76
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
Income From
Investment Operations

 Net Investment Income  (Loss)      0.01(1)  (0.05)(1)  (0.07)(1)  (0.03)  (0.09)   (0.05)    (0.03)   (0.03)     0.19     (0.02)

 Net Realized and
  Unrealized Gain
 (Loss) on Investment
  Transactions                      5.62      2.84     7.58     (0.42)     6.24     (0.02)     7.86    (0.73)     2.58      1.38
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
 Total from
 Investment Operations              5.63      2.79     7.51     (0.45)     6.15     (0.07)     7.83    (0.76)     2.77      1.36
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
Distributions

 From Net Investment Income         --        --        --        --        --        --        --     (0.19)      --        --

 From Net Realized Gains on
 Investment Transactions            (1.69)  (1.19)    (0.64)      --        --        --      (0.03)   (0.95)      --      (3.26)

 In Excess of Net Realized Gains      --    (0.11)      --        --        --        --        --       --        --        --
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
 Total Distributions                (1.69)  (1.30)    (0.64)      --        --        --      (0.03)   (1.14)      --      (3.26)
                                    ------  ------    ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----     -----
Net Asset Value, End of Year        $33.46  $29.52    $28.03    $21.16    $21.61    $15.46    $15.53    $7.73     $9.63     $6.86
                                    ======  ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    =====     =====     =====

 Total Return(2)                    19.95%  10.79%    36.89%    (2.08)%   39.78%    (0.45)%   101.51%  (9.02)%   40.37%    19.52%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets               1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets        0.03%   (0.2)%    (0.3)%    (0.1)%    (0.6)%    (0.4)%    (0.5)%   (0.3)%     2.2%     (0.3)%

Portfolio Turnover Rate             107%      87%       87%       78%       53%       59%       42%     141%      132%      140%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded     $0.0398  $0.0350  $0.0330    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions)               $21,695  $18,266  $14,376   $10,344   $8,037    $4,275    $2,148    $330      $347      $258

</TABLE>

(1) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(2) Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends   and  capital  gains
    distributions, if any.

(3) Disclosure of average  commission  paid per share of equity  security traded
    was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.


PROSPECTUS                   PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS           13


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS

                                     VISTA

  The  Institutional  Class of the fund was  established  September 3, 1996. The
financial  information in this table  regarding  selected per share data for the
fund reflects the performance of the fund's Investor Class of shares,  which has
a total expense ratio that is 0.20% higher than the Institutional Class. Had the
Institutional  Class  been in  existence  for the  fund  for  the  time  periods
presented, the fund's performance information would be higher as a result of the
lower expenses.

  The Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors  whose  report  thereon
appears in the fund's annual report, which is incorporated by reference into the
Statement of  Additional  Information.  The annual  report  contains  additional
performance  information  and will be made  available  upon  request and without
charge. The Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended on or before October
31, 1996, have been audited by other  independent  auditors whose report thereon
is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional  Information.  The
information  presented  is for a share  outstanding  throughout  the years ended
October 31.

                                     1997     1996     1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989    1988

PER-SHARE DATA

Net Asset Value,
<S>                                  <C>     <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>  
Beginning of Year .................. $15.68  $15.73   $10.94    $12.24    $11.01    $10.53     $6.28    $8.74     $5.91    $5.73
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----    -----
Income From
Investment Operations

  Net Investment Income (Loss) ..... (0.10)(1)  (0.11)(1)  (0.08)(1)  (0.08)  (0.07)  (0.04)  (0.02)   (0.01)    (0.03)     0.01

  Net Realized
  and Unrealized Gain
  (Loss) on Investment
  Transactions .....................   0.13    1.09     4.90      0.45      1.95      0.52      4.27    (1.76)     2.87     0.63
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----    -----
  Total from
  Investment Operations ............   0.03    0.98     4.82      0.37      1.88      0.48      4.25    (1.77)     2.84     0.64
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----    -----
Distributions

  From Net Investment Income ....... --       --        --        --        --        --        --       --      (0.01)      --

  From Net Realized Gains
  on Investment Transactions ....... (1.18)  (1.02)   (0.03)    (1.66)    (0.64)      --        --     (0.69)      --      (0.46)

  In Excess of
  Net Realized Gains ............... --      (0.01)     --      (0.01)    (0.01)      --        --       --        --        --
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----    -----
  Total Distributions .............. (1.18)  (1.03)   (0.03)    (1.67)    (0.65)      --        --     (0.69)    (0.01)    (0.46)
                                     ------  ------   ------    ------    ------    ------     -----    -----     -----    -----
Net Asset Value, End of Year ....... $14.53  $15.68   $15.73    $10.94    $12.24    $11.01    $10.53    $6.28     $8.74     $5.91
                                     ======  ======   ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    =====     =====     =====

  Total Return(2) .................. 0.29%   6.96%    44.20%     4.16%    17.71%     4.55%    67.67%   (22.17)%  48.19%    11.41%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets .............. 1.00%   0.99%     0.98%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%    1.00%     1.00%     1.00%

Ratio of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net Assets ....... (0.73)%  (0.7)%  (0.6)%    (0.8)%    (0.6)%    (0.4)%    (0.3)%   (0.10%    (0.4)%     0.2%

Portfolio Turnover Rate ............ 96%      91%       89%      111%      133%       87%       92%     103%      125%      145%

Average Commission Paid per
Share of Equity Security Traded .... $0.0292  $0.0280  $0.0330   --(3)     --(3)     --(3)     --(3)    --(3)     --(3)     --(3)

Net Assets, End
of Year (in millions) .............. $1,828  $2,276   $1,676     $792      $847      $830      $622     $341      $264      $206

</TABLE>

(1) Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

(2) Total  return   assumes   reinvestment   of  dividends   and  capital  gains
    distributions, if any.

(3) Disclosure of average  commission  paid per share of equity  security traded
    was not required prior to the year ended October 31, 1995.


14    PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF OTHER CLASS        AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                        INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS

 INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE FUNDS

    The funds have adopted certain investment restrictions that are set forth in
the  Statement of Additional  Information.  Those  restrictions,  as well as the
investment objectives of the funds identified on page 2 of this Prospectus,  and
any other investment  policies designated as "fundamental" in this Prospectus or
in  the  Statement  of  Additional   Information,   cannot  be  changed  without
shareholder approval.  The funds have implemented additional investment policies
and  practices  to guide their  activities  in the  pursuit of their  respective
investment  objectives.  These  policies  and  practices,  which  are  described
throughout this Prospectus,  are not designated as fundamental  policies and may
be changed without shareholder approval.

GROWTH EQUITY FUNDS

    All of the funds offered by this Prospectus seek capital growth by investing
in  securities,  primarily  common  stocks,  that meet certain  fundamental  and
technical  standards of selection  (relating  primarily to earnings and revenues
acceleration)    and   have,   in   the   opinion   of   the   funds'   manager,
better-than-average  potential for appreciation.  So long as a sufficient number
of such  securities are available,  the manager  intends to keep the funds fully
invested  in  these  securities  regardless  of the  movement  of  stock  prices
generally.  In most  circumstances,  the  funds'  actual  level of cash and cash
equivalents  will fluctuate  between 0% and 10% of total assets with 90% to 100%
of its assets committed to equity and equity equivalent  investments.  The funds
may purchase  securities  only of companies that have a record of at least three
years of continuous operation.

SELECT AND HERITAGE

    Securities of companies  chosen for the Select and Heritage funds are chosen
primarily for their growth potential.  Additionally,  as a matter of fundamental
policy,  80% of the  assets  of the  Select  fund and 60% of the  assets  of the
Heritage fund must be invested in securities of companies  that have a record of
paying  dividends,  or have  committed  themselves  to the  payment  of  regular
dividends, or otherwise produce income. The remaining 20% of the Select fund and
40% of the Heritage fund may be invested in any otherwise permissible securities
that the  manager  believes  will  contribute  to the funds'  stated  investment
objectives.  The  income  payments  of equity  securities  are only a  secondary
consideration; therefore, the income return that Select and Heritage provide may
not be  significant.  Otherwise,  Select and Heritage follow the same investment
techniques described below for Growth, Ultra and Vista.

    Since  Select is one of our  larger  funds  and  Heritage  is  substantially
smaller,  Select will  invest in shares of larger  companies  with larger  share
trading  volume,  and  Heritage  will tend to invest in smaller  companies  with
smaller share trading volume. However, the two funds are not mutually exclusive,
and a given  security may be owned by both funds.  For the reasons stated in the
next  section,  it should be expected  that  Heritage  will be more volatile and
subject to greater short-term risk and long-term opportunity than Select.

    Because of its size, and because it invests primarily in securities that pay
dividends or are committed to the payment of  dividends,  Select may be expected
to be the least volatile of the funds described in this Prospectus.

GROWTH, ULTRA AND VISTA

    Management selects for the portfolios of the Growth,  Ultra and Vista funds,
securities  of companies  whose  earnings and revenue  trends meet  management's
standards of selection.

    Growth and Ultra  generally  invest in  large-sized  companies,  while Vista
invests in medium-sized and smaller companies.

    The size of companies  in which a fund  invests  tends to give each fund its
own characteristics of volatility and risk. These differences come about because
developments  such as new or  improved  products  or  methods,  which  would  be
relatively


PROSPECTUS                        INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS             15


insignificant to a large company,  may have a substantial impact on the earnings
and revenues of a small  company and create a greater  demand and a higher value
for its shares.  However, a new product failure, which could readily be absorbed
by a large  company,  can cause a rapid  decline in the value of the shares of a
smaller  company.  Hence,  it could be expected that funds  investing in smaller
companies would be more volatile than funds investing in larger companies.

OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES, THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
AND RISKS

    For additional information,  see "Additional Investment Restrictions" in the
Statement of Additional Information.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

    Each of the  funds  may  invest an  unlimited  amount  of its  assets in the
securities of foreign  issuers,  primarily  from developed  markets,  when these
securities meet its standards of selection.  The funds may make such investments
either  directly in foreign  securities,  or by purchasing  Depositary  Receipts
("DRs") for foreign securities. DRs are securities listed on exchanges or quoted
in the  over-the-counter  market in one  country  but  represent  the  shares of
issuers  domiciled in other  countries.  DRs may be  sponsored  or  unsponsored.
Direct  investments  in  foreign  securities  may  be  made  either  on  foreign
securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets.

    Subject to their individual  investment  objectives and policies,  the funds
may invest in common stocks,  convertible  securities,  preferred stocks, bonds,
notes and other debt  securities  of foreign  issuers,  and debt  securities  of
foreign  governments and their agencies.  The funds will limit their purchase of
debt securities to investment-grade obligations.

    Investments in foreign securities may present certain risks, including those
resulting from  fluctuations in currency  exchange rates,  future  political and
economic  developments,  clearance and settlement risk, reduced  availability of
public information concerning issuers, and the fact that foreign issuers are not
generally  subject to  uniform  accounting,  auditing  and  financial  reporting
standards or to other regulatory practices and requirements  comparable to those
applicable to domestic issuers.

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

    Some of the  foreign  securities  held by the  funds may be  denominated  in
foreign  currencies.  Other securities,  such as DRs, may be denominated in U.S.
dollars,  but have a value that is  dependent  on the  performance  of a foreign
security,  as valued in the currency of its home country. As a result, the value
of a fund's  portfolio may be affected by changes in the exchange  rates between
foreign  currencies  and the U.S.  dollar,  as well as by  changes in the market
values of the  securities  themselves.  The  performance  of foreign  currencies
relative  to the U.S.  dollar may be a factor in the  overall  performance  of a
fund.

    To protect against adverse  movements in exchange rates between  currencies,
the funds may, for hedging purposes only,  enter into forward currency  exchange
contracts.  A forward currency exchange contract  obligates the fund to purchase
or sell a specific currency at a future date at a specific price.

    A fund may elect to enter into a forward  currency  exchange  contract  with
respect to a specific  purchase  or sale of a security,  or with  respect to the
fund's portfolio positions generally.

    By entering into a forward  currency  exchange  contract with respect to the
specific  purchase or sale of a security  denominated in a foreign  currency,  a
fund can "lock in" an exchange rate between the trade and  settlement  dates for
that purchase or sale.  This practice is sometimes  referred to as  "transaction
hedging." Each fund may enter into transaction hedging contracts with respect to
all or a substantial portion of its foreign securities trades.

    When the manager  believes  that a particular  currency may decline in value
compared to the U.S.  dollar,  a fund may enter into forward  currency  exchange
contracts  to sell the value of some or all of the fund's  portfolio  securities
either  denominated in, or whose value is tied to, that currency.  This practice
is  sometimes  referred to as  "portfolio  hedging." A fund may not enter into a
portfolio  hedging  transaction where it would be obligated to deliver an amount
of foreign currency in excess of the aggregate value of its portfolio securities
or other assets denominated in, or whose value is tied to, that currency.

    Each  fund  will  make  use  of  portfolio  hedging  to  the  extent  deemed
appropriate by the manager.


16  INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS               AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


However,  it is anticipated  that a fund will enter into  portfolio  hedges much
less frequently than transaction hedges.

    If a fund enters into a forward currency exchange  contract,  the fund, when
required,  will  instruct  its  custodian  bank  to  segregate  cash  or  liquid
high-grade securities in a separate account in an amount sufficient to cover its
obligation under the contract.  Those assets will be valued at market daily, and
if  the  value  of  the  segregated  securities  declines,  additional  cash  or
securities  will be added so that the value of the  account is not less than the
amount of the fund's commitment. At any given time, no more than 10% of a fund's
assets will be committed to a segregated  account in connection  with  portfolio
hedging transactions.

    Predicting the relative future values of currencies is very  difficult,  and
there is no  assurance  that any  attempt  to  protect  a fund  against  adverse
currency  movements through the use of forward currency exchange  contracts will
be successful. In addition, the use of forward currency exchange contracts tends
to limit the  potential  gains that might  result from a positive  change in the
relationships between the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

    The  portfolio  turnover  rates of the  funds  are  shown  in the  financial
information on pages 5-14 of this Prospectus.

    Investment  decisions  to  purchase  and sell  securities  are  based on the
anticipated contribution of the security in question to a fund's objectives. The
manager  believes  that the rate of  portfolio  turnover is  irrelevant  when it
determines a change is in order to achieve those  objectives  and,  accordingly,
the annual portfolio turnover rate cannot be anticipated.

    The  portfolio  turnover of each fund may be higher than other  mutual funds
with   similar   investment   objectives.   Higher   turnover   would   generate
correspondingly  greater brokerage  commissions,  which is a cost that the funds
pay directly. Portfolio turnover may also affect the character of capital gains,
if any,  realized and distributed by a fund since  short-term  capital gains are
taxable as ordinary income.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

    Each fund may invest in repurchase agreements when such transactions present
an attractive  short-term return on cash that is not otherwise  committed to the
purchase of securities pursuant to the investment policies of that fund.

    A  repurchase  agreement  occurs  when,  at the time the fund  purchases  an
interest-bearing  obligation,  the seller (a bank or a broker-dealer  registered
under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934)  agrees  to  repurchase  it on a
specified  date in the future at an  agreed-upon  price.  The  repurchase  price
reflects  an  agreed-upon  interest  rate  during the time the  fund's  money is
invested in the security.

    Since  the  security  purchased  constitutes  security  for  the  repurchase
obligation,  a repurchase  agreement can be considered a loan  collateralized by
the security purchased.  The fund's risk is the ability of the seller to pay the
agreed-upon repurchase price on the repurchase date. If the seller defaults, the
fund may incur costs in  disposing  of the  collateral,  which would  reduce the
amount realized  thereon.  If the seller seeks relief under the bankruptcy laws,
the  disposition of the collateral may be delayed or limited.  To the extent the
value of the security decreases, the fund could experience a loss.

    The funds will limit repurchase agreement  transactions to securities issued
by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities,  and will enter into
such  transactions  with  those  banks and  securities  dealers  who are  deemed
creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the funds' Board of Directors.

    No fund will  invest  more than 15% of its assets in  repurchase  agreements
maturing in more than seven days.

FUTURES AND OPTIONS

    The funds may invest in financial futures  contracts and options thereon.  A
financial  futures  contract  is an  agreement  to take or  make  delivery  of a
financial  asset or an amount of cash, as specified in the applicable  contract,
at some time in the future.  The value of the asset or cash to be  delivered  at
the end of the contract period is calculated  based upon the difference in value
between the making of the contract and the end


PROSPECTUS                      INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS          17


of the contract period of a financial index,  indicator,  or security underlying
the futures contract.

    Rather  than  actually  purchasing  a  financial  asset  (e.g.,  a long-  or
short-term  treasury security) or all of the securities  contained in a specific
index (e.g., the S&P 500), the manager may choose to purchase a futures contract
which reflects the value of such  securities or index.  For example,  an S&P 500
futures  contract  reflects the value of the underlying  companies that comprise
the S&P 500 Composite  Stock Price Index.  If the aggregate  market value of the
index securities increases or decreases during the contract period of an S&P 500
futures  contract,  the amount of cash to be paid to the contract  holder at the
end of the period would  correspondingly  increase or decrease. As a result, the
manager is able to expose to the  market  cash that is held by the funds to meet
anticipated redemptions or for future investment opportunities.  Because futures
contracts  generally settle more quickly than their underlying  securities,  the
manager believes that the use of futures and options thereon allows the funds to
be fully invested while maintaining the needed liquidity.

    The funds will not  purchase  leveraged  futures.  When a fund enters into a
futures  contract,  it  must  make  a  deposit  of  cash  or  high-quality  debt
securities,  known as "initial  margin," as partial security for its performance
under the  contract.  As the value of the  contract  fluctuates,  a party to the
contract may be required to make additional margin payments, known as "variation
margin," to cover a portion of such  fluctuation.  A fund will also deposit in a
segregated  account with its custodian bank cash or high-quality debt securities
in an amount equal to the fund's payment  obligation under the futures contract,
less any initial or variation  margin.  For options sold, a fund will  segregate
cash or  high-quality  debt  securities  equal to the  value  of the  securities
underlying the option unless the option is otherwise covered.

DERIVATIVE SECURITIES

    To the extent permitted by its investment  objectives and policies,  each of
the funds may invest in securities that are commonly referred to as "derivative"
securities.  Generally,  a derivative  is a financial  arrangement  the value of
which is based on, or "derived" from, a traditional  security,  asset, or market
index.   Certain  derivative   securities  are  more  accurately   described  as
"index/structured"   securities.   Index/structured  securities  are  derivative
securities whose value or performance is linked to other equity securities (such
as depositary receipts),  currencies, interest rates, indices or other financial
indicators ("reference indices").

    Some   "derivatives"  such  as   mortgage-related   and  other  asset-backed
securities are in many respects like any other investment,  although they may be
more volatile or less liquid than more traditional debt securities.

    There are many different types of derivatives and many different ways to use
them. Futures and options are commonly used for traditional  hedging purposes to
attempt to protect a fund from exposure to changing  interest rates,  securities
prices,  or  currency  exchange  rates  and for cash  management  purposes  as a
low-cost method of gaining  exposure to a particular  securities  market without
investing directly in those securities.

    No fund may invest in a derivative  security  unless the reference  index or
the  instrument to which it relates is an eligible  investment for the fund. For
example,  a security whose  underlying value is linked to the price of oil would
not be a  permissible  investment  since the funds may not invest in oil and gas
leases or futures.

    The return on a derivative security may increase or decrease, depending upon
changes in the reference index or instrument to which it relates.

    There  are  a  range  of  risks  associated  with  derivative   investments,
including:

    *    the risk that the underlying  security,  interest rate, market index or
         other  financial  asset will not move in the  direction  the  portfolio
         manager anticipates;

    *    the possibility  that there may be no liquid secondary  market,  or the
         possibility  that  price  fluctuation  limits  may  be  imposed  by the
         exchange,  either of which may make it difficult or impossible to close
         out a position when desired;

    *    the risk that adverse price  movements in an instrument can result in a
         loss substantially greater than a fund's initial investment; and

    *    the risk that the counterparty will fail to perform its obligations.


18      INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS        AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


    The  Board  of  Directors  has  approved  the  manager's   policy  regarding
investments in derivative securities. That policy specifies factors that must be
considered in connection  with a purchase of derivative  securities.  The policy
also establishes a committee that must review certain proposed  purchases before
the  purchases  can be  made.  The  manager  will  report  on fund  activity  in
derivative securities to the Board of Directors as necessary.  In addition,  the
Board will review the manager's policy for investments in derivative  securities
annually.

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES

    Each of the funds may  sometimes  purchase  new  issues of  securities  on a
when-issued  basis  without  limit  when,  in the opinion of the  manager,  such
purchases  will  further the  investment  objectives  of the fund.  The price of
when-issued  securities is established at the time the commitment to purchase is
made. Delivery of and payment for these securities typically occur 15 to 45 days
after the commitment to purchase. Market rates of interest on debt securities at
the time of  delivery  may be higher or lower than those  contracted  for on the
when-issued security.  Accordingly, the value of such security may decline prior
to delivery,  which could  result in a loss to the fund. A separate  account for
each fund consisting of cash or high-quality liquid debt securities in an amount
at least equal to the when-issued commitments will be established and maintained
with the custodian. No income will accrue to the fund prior to delivery.

RULE 144A SECURITIES

    The funds may, from time to time,  purchase Rule 144A  securities  when they
present  attractive  investment  opportunities  that  otherwise  meet the funds'
criteria for selection.  Rule 144A  securities are securities that are privately
placed with and traded among qualified  institutional  investors rather than the
general  public.  Although  Rule  144A  securities  are  considered  "restricted
securities," they are not necessarily illiquid.

    With respect to securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, the staff of
the Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that the liquidity
of such securities in the portfolio of a fund offering redeemable  securities is
a question of fact for the Board of Directors to determine,  such  determination
to be based upon a consideration  of the readily  available  trading markets and
the review of any contractual  restrictions.  The staff also acknowledges  that,
while the Board retains ultimate  responsibility,  it may delegate this function
to the manager. Accordingly, the Board has established guidelines and procedures
for  determining  the  liquidity of Rule 144A  securities  and has delegated the
day-to-day  function of determining the liquidity of Rule 144A securities to the
manager.  The Board retains the  responsibility to monitor the implementation of
the guidelines and procedures it has adopted.

    Since the  secondary  market  for such  securities  is  limited  to  certain
qualified  institutional  investors,  the  liquidity of such  securities  may be
limited accordingly and a fund may, from time to time, hold a Rule 144A security
that is illiquid. In such an event, the funds' manager will consider appropriate
remedies to minimize  the effect on such  fund's  liquidity.  No fund may invest
more than 15% of its assets in illiquid  securities  (securities that may not be
sold within seven days at  approximately  the price used in determining  the net
asset value of fund shares).

INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES
WITH LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY

    The funds may invest in the  securities  of issuers with  limited  operating
history.  The manager considers an issuer to have a limited operating history if
that issuer has a record of less than three years of continuous operation.

    Investments  in  securities  of issuers with limited  operating  history may
involve greater risks than investments in securities of more mature issuers.  By
their  nature,  such issuers  present  limited  operating  history and financial
information upon which the manager may base its investment decision on behalf of
the funds. In addition,  financial and other information regarding such issuers,
when available, may be incomplete or inaccurate.

    Select,  Growth and Ultra will not invest more than 5% of their total assets
in the  securities  of issuers  with less than a three-year  operating  history.
Vista and  Heritage  will not invest more than 10% of their total  assets in the
securities of issuers with less than a


PROSPECTUS                                 INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS  19


three-year  operating  history.  The manager  will  consider  periods of capital
formation,   incubation,   consolidation,   and  research  and   development  in
determining  whether  a  particular  issuer  has a  record  of  three  years  of
continuous operation.

SHORT SALES

    A fund may engage in short sales if, at the time of the short sale, the fund
owns or has the right to acquire securities equivalent in kind and amount to the
securities being sold short. Such  transactions  allow the fund to hedge against
price fluctuations by locking in a sale price for securities it does not wish to
sell immediately.

    A fund may make a short sale when it wants to sell the security it owns at a
current  attractive  price, but also wishes to defer recognition of gain or loss
for federal  income tax purposes and for purposes of  satisfying  certain  tests
applicable to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code.

PERFORMANCE ADVERTISING

    From  time  to  time,  the  funds  may  advertise   performance  data.  Fund
performance  may be shown by presenting  one or more  performance  measurements,
including  cumulative  total return or average  annual total return,  and yield.
Performance data may be quoted  separately for the  Institutional  Class and for
the other classes offered by the funds.

    Cumulative  total  return data is computed by  considering  all  elements of
return,  including  reinvestment  of dividends and capital gains  distributions,
over a stated  period of time.  Average  annual  total return is  determined  by
computing  the annual  compound  return over a stated  period of time that would
have  produced  the fund's  cumulative  total return over the same period if the
fund's performance had remained constant throughout.

    A quotation of yield reflects a fund's income over a stated period expressed
as a percentage of the fund's share price.

    Yields are calculated  according to accounting methods that are standardized
in  accordance  with SEC  rules  for all stock  and bond  funds.  Because  yield
accounting methods differ from the methods used for other accounting purposes, a
fund's yield may not equal the income paid on its shares or the income  reported
in the fund's financial statements.

    The funds may also include in advertisements data comparing performance with
the performance of non-related  investment media,  published  editorial comments
and performance  rankings compiled by independent  organizations (such as Lipper
Analytical  Services or  Donoghue's  Money Fund  Report) and  publications  that
monitor the performance of mutual funds.  Performance  information may be quoted
numerically  or may be presented  in a table,  graph or other  illustration.  In
addition,  fund  performance  may be  compared to  well-known  indices of market
performance  including  the  Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index and the Dow Jones
Industrial Average.  Fund performance may also be compared, on a relative basis,
to other funds in our fund family. This relative comparison,  which may be based
upon  historical  or  expected  fund  performance,   volatility  or  other  fund
characteristics,  may be presented  numerically,  graphically  or in text.  Fund
performance may also be combined or blended with other funds in our fund family,
and that combined or blended  performance may be compared to the same indices to
which individual funds may be compared.

    All performance  information advertised by the funds is historical in nature
and is not intended to represent or guarantee future results.  The value of fund
shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.


20      INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS        AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS



                HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

 AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS

    The funds  offered by this  Prospectus  are a part of the  American  Century
Investments  family  of  mutual  funds.  Our  family  provides  a full  range of
investment  opportunities,  from  the  aggressive  equity  growth  funds  in our
Twentieth  Century Group,  to the fixed income funds in our Benham Group, to the
moderate risk and specialty  funds in our American  Century  Group.  Please call
1-800-345-3533  for a  brochure  or  prospectuses  for the  other  funds  in the
American Century Investments family.

    To reduce  expenses and  demonstrate  respect for our  environment,  we have
initiated a project  through which we will  eliminate  duplicate  copies of most
financial  reports and  prospectuses  to most  households  and  deliver  account
statements to most households in a single envelope,  even if they have more than
one  account.  If you would like  additional  copies of  financial  reports  and
prospectuses or separate mailing of account statements, please call us.

INVESTING IN AMERICAN CENTURY

    The following  section  explains how to invest with American  Century funds,
including purchases, redemptions,  exchanges and special services. You will find
more detail about doing  business with us by referring to the Investor  Services
Guide that you will receive when you open an account.

    If you  own or are  considering  purchasing  fund  shares  through  a  bank,
broker-dealer or other financial  intermediary,  the following sections, as well
as the information  contained in our Investor  Services Guide,  may not apply to
you.  Please  read  "Minimum  Investment,"  page  22 and  "Customers  of  Banks,
Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries," page 26.

HOW TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT

    To open an account,  you must complete and sign an  application,  furnishing
your  taxpayer  identification  number.  (You must also certify  whether you are
subject to  withholding  for failing to report  income to the IRS.)  Investments
received without a certified taxpayer identification number will be returned.

    You may invest in the following ways:

BY MAIL

    Send a  completed  application  and  check or money  order  payable  in U.S.
dollars to American Century Investments.

BY WIRE

    You may make your initial  investment by wiring funds.  To do so, call us or
mail  a  completed   application  and  provide  your  bank  with  the  following
information:

(*)  RECEIVING BANK AND ROUTING NUMBER:

   Commerce Bank, N.A. (101000019)

(*)  BENEFICIARY (BNF):

   American Century Services Corporation

   4500 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri 64111

(*)  BENEFICIARY ACCOUNT NUMBER (BNF ACCT):

   2804918

(*)  REFERENCE FOR BENEFICIARY (RFB):

   American  Century  account number into which you are investing.  If more than
   one, leave blank and see Bank to Bank Information below.

(*)  ORIGINATOR TO BENEFICIARY (OBI):

   Name and address of owner of account into which you are investing.

(*)  BANK TO BANK INFORMATION

   (BBI OR FREE FORM TEXT):

    *    Taxpayer identification or Social Security
         number.

    *    If more than one account,  account numbers and amount to be invested in
         each account.

    *    Current tax year, previous tax year or rollover  designation if an IRA.
         Specify  whether  Traditional  IRA, Roth IRA,  Education  IRA,  SEP-IRA
         SARSEP-IRA, SIMPLE Employer or SIMPLE Employee.

BY EXCHANGE

    Call 1-800-345-3533 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time to get information on
opening an account by exchanging from another American Century account. See page
22 for more information on exchanges.

PROSPECTUS          HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS       21


IN PERSON

    If you prefer to work with a representative  in person,  please visit one of
our Investor Centers, located at:

    4500 Main Street 
    Kansas City, Missouri 64111

    4917 Town Center Drive 
    Leawood, Kansas 66211

    1665 Charleston Road 
    Mountain View, California 94043

    2000 S. Colorado Blvd. 
    Denver, Colorado 80222

SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENTS

    Subsequent  investments  may  be  made  by an  automatic  bank,  payroll  or
government direct deposit (see "Automatic Investment Plan," this page) or by any
of  the  methods  below.  The  minimum  investment  requirement  for  subsequent
investments:  $250 for checks submitted without the investment slip portion of a
previous  statement  or  confirmation,  $50 for all  other  types of  subsequent
investments.

BY MAIL

    When making subsequent  investments,  enclose your check with the investment
slip portion of a previous statement or confirmation.  If the investment slip is
not available, indicate your name, address and account number on your check or a
separate  piece of paper.  (Please  be aware  that the  investment  minimum  for
subsequent investments is higher without an investment slip.)

BY TELEPHONE

    Once your account is open, you may make investments by telephone if you have
authorized us (by choosing "Full Services" on your  application) to draw on your
bank account.  You may call an Institutional  Service  Representative or use our
Automated Information Line.

BY WIRE

    You may make  subsequent  investments  by  wire.  Follow  the wire  transfer
instructions on page 21 and indicate your account number.

IN PERSON

    You  may  make  subsequent  investments  in  person  at one of our  Investor
Centers. The locations of our four Investor Centers are listed on this page.

AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN

    You may  elect on your  application  to make  investments  automatically  by
authorizing us to draw on your bank account regularly.  Such investments must be
at least the  equivalent  of $50 per  month.  You also may  choose an  automatic
payroll or government  direct  deposit.  If you are  establishing a new account,
check the appropriate box under  "Automatic  Investments" on your application to
receive  more  information.  If you  would  like to add a direct  deposit  to an
existing account, please call one of our Institutional Service Representatives.

MINIMUM INVESTMENT

    The  minimum  investment  is $5  million  ($3  million  for  endowments  and
foundations).  If you  invest  with us  through a bank,  broker-dealer  or other
financial  intermediary,  the  minimum  investment  requirement  may  be  met by
aggregating the  investments of various clients of your financial  intermediary.
The  minimum  investment  requirement  may be  waived  if you or your  financial
intermediary,  if applicable, has an aggregate investment in our family of funds
of $10 million or more ($5  million for  endowments  and  foundations).  If your
balance or the balance of your  financial  intermediary,  if  applicable,  falls
below the minimum  investment  requirements due to redemptions or exchanges,  we
reserve the right to convert  your shares to Investor  Class  shares of the same
fund.  The  Investor  Class shares have a unified  management  fee that is 0.20%
higher than the Institutional Class shares.

HOW TO EXCHANGE FROM ONE ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER

    As long as you meet any minimum  investment  requirements,  you may exchange
your fund  shares to our other  funds up to six times per year per  account.  An
exchange  request will be processed as of the same day it is received,  if it is
received  before the funds' net asset values are  calculated,  which is one hour
prior to the  close of the New York  Stock  Exchange  for  funds  issued  by the
American Century Target  Maturities  Trust, and at the close of the Exchange for
all of our other funds. See "When Share Price is Determined," page 27.

    For any single exchange,  the shares of each fund being acquired must have a
value of at least $100. However, we will allow investors to set up an


22 HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


Automatic  Exchange Plan between any two funds in the amount of at least $50 per
month. See our Investor Services Guide for further information about exchanges.

    If, in any 90-day period,  the total of your exchanges and your  redemptions
from any one account  exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the fund's assets,
further  exchanges  will be subject to special  requirements  to comply with our
policy on large redemptions.  See "Special  Requirements for Large Redemptions,"
on this page.

BY MAIL

    You may direct us in writing  to  exchange  your  shares  from one  American
Century account to another. For additional information,  please see our Investor
Services Guide.

BY TELEPHONE

    You can make  exchanges  over the  telephone  if you have  authorized  us to
accept  telephone  instructions.  You  can  authorize  this by  selecting  "Full
Services" on your  application  or by calling one of our  Institutional  Service
Representatives at 1-800-345-3533 to get the appropriate form.

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

    We will  redeem or "buy back" your shares at any time.  Redemptions  will be
made at the next net asset value determined after a complete  redemption request
is received. For large redemptions,  please read "Special Requirements for Large
Redemptions," this page.

    Please note that a request to redeem shares in an IRA or 403(b) plan must be
accompanied  by an  executed  IRS  Form  W4-P  and a reason  for  withdrawal  as
specified by the IRS.

BY MAIL

    Your  written  instructions  to  redeem  shares  may  be  made  either  by a
redemption  form,  which we will  send you upon  request,  or by a letter to us.
Certain  redemptions  may require a signature  guarantee.  Please see "Signature
Guarantee," page 24.

BY TELEPHONE

    If you have authorized us to accept telephone  instructions,  you may redeem
your shares by calling an Institutional Service Representative.

BY CHECK-A-MONTH

    You may redeem shares by Check-A-Month.  A Check-A-Month  plan automatically
redeems  enough  shares  each month to provide you with a check in an amount you
choose  (minimum $50). To set up a Check-A-Month  plan,  please call and request
our Check-A-Month brochure.

OTHER AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS

    You may elect to make  redemptions  automatically  by authorizing us to send
funds to you or to your account at a bank or other financial institution. To set
up automatic redemptions, call one of our Institutional Service Representatives

REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

    Please  note that  shortly  after a  purchase  of shares is made by check or
electronic  draft (also known as an ACH draft) from your bank, we may wait up to
15 days or longer to send  redemption  proceeds (to allow your purchase funds to
clear).  No interest is paid on the redemption  proceeds after the redemption is
processed but before your redemption proceeds are sent.

    Redemption proceeds may be sent to you in one of the following ways:

BY CHECK

    Ordinarily,  all  redemption  checks will be made payable to the  registered
owner of the shares and will be mailed only to the  address of record.  For more
infor- mation, please refer to our Investor Services Guide.

BY WIRE AND ACH

    You may authorize us to transmit  redemption  proceeds by wire or ACH. These
services will be effective 15 days after we receive the authorization.

    Your bank will usually receive wired funds within 48 hours of  transmission.
Funds  transferred  by ACH may be received up to seven days after  transmission.
Once the funds are transmitted,  the time of receipt and the funds' availability
are not under our control.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LARGE REDEMPTIONS

    We have  elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the  Investment  Company
Act,  which  obligates  each  fund  make  certain   redemptions  in  cash.  This
requirement  to  pay  redemptions  in  cash  applies  to  situations  where  one
shareholder redeems, during any


PROSPECTUS          HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS    23


90-day  period,  up to the lesser of  $250,000  or 1% of the assets of the fund.
Although  redemptions in excess of this limitation will also normally be paid in
cash,  we  reserve  the  right  under  unusual   circumstances  to  honor  these
redemptions  by  making  payment  in  whole  or in  part in  readily  marketable
securities (a "redemption-in-kind").

    If payment is made in  securities,  the  securities  will be selected by the
fund,  will be valued in the same manner as they are in computing the fund's net
asset value and will be provided without prior notice.

    If your redemption would exceed this limit and you would like to avoid being
paid in  securities,  please  provide us with an  unconditional  instruction  to
redeem at least 15 days prior to the date on which the redemption transaction is
to occur.  The instruction must specify the dollar amount or number of shares to
be redeemed and the date of the  transaction.  This  minimizes the effect of the
redemption on the fund and its remaining shareholders.

    Despite the funds' right to redeem fund shares through a redemption-in-kind,
we do not expect to exercise  this  option  unless a fund has an  unusually  low
level  of cash to meet  redemptions  and/or  is  experiencing  unusually  strong
demands for its cash.  Such a demand might be caused,  for  example,  by extreme
market conditions that result in an abnormally high level of redemption requests
concentrated in a short period of time.  Absent these or similar  circumstances,
we expect  redemptions in excess of $250,000 to be paid in cash in any fund with
assets of more than $50 million if total redemptions from any one account in any
90-day period do not exceed one-half of 1% of the total assets of the fund.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

    To protect  your  accounts  from fraud,  some  transactions  will  require a
signature guarantee.  Which transactions will require a signature guarantee will
depend on which  service  options  you elect  when you open  your  account.  For
example,  if you  choose  "In  Writing  Only," a  signature  guarantee  would be
required when:

    *    redeeming more than $25,000; or

    *    establishing or increasing a Check-A-Month or automatic transfer on an
         existing account.

    You can obtain a signature  guarantee from a bank or trust  company,  credit
union,  broker-dealer,  securities  exchange or association,  clearing agency or
savings association, as defined by federal law.

    For a more in-depth explanation of our signature guarantee policy, or if you
live outside the United  States and would like to know how to obtain a signature
guarantee, please consult our Investor Services Guide.

    We reserve the right to require a signature guarantee on any transaction, or
to change this policy at any time.

SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

    We offer  several  service  options to make your  account  easier to manage.
These are listed on the account  application.  Please make note of these options
and  elect  the ones  that are  appropriate  for you.  Be aware  that the  "Full
Services" option offers you the most flexibility. You will find more information
about each of these service options in our Investor Services Guide.

    Our special shareholder services include:

OPEN ORDER SERVICE

    Through our open order  service,  you may  designate a price at which to buy
shares of a variable-priced fund by exchange from one of our money market funds,
or a price at which to sell shares of a variable-priced  fund by exchange to one
of our money market funds.  The  designated  purchase  price must be equal to or
lower, or the designated sale price equal to or higher, than the variable-priced
fund's net asset value at the time the order is placed.  If the designated price
is  met  within  90  calendar   days,  we  will  execute  your  exchange   order
automatically at that price (or better). Open orders not executed within 90 days
will be canceled.

    If the fund you have selected  deducts a distribution  from its share price,
your order  price will be  adjusted  accordingly  so the  distribution  does not
inadvertently  trigger an open order transaction on your behalf. If you close or
re-register  the  account  from which the shares are to be  redeemed,  your open
order will be canceled.

    Because of their time-sensitive nature, open order transactions are accepted
only by  telephone  or in person.  These  transactions  are  subject to exchange
limitations  described  in  each  fund's  prospectus,  except  that  orders  and
cancellations received before 2 p.m.


24 HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


Central time are  effective the same day, and orders or  cancellations  received
after 2 p.m. Central time are effective the next business day.

TAX-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS

    Each fund is available for your tax-deferred  retirement plan. Call or write
us and request the appropriate forms for:

    *    Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs);

    *    403(b)plans for employees of public school systems and non-profit
         organizations; or

    *    Profit sharing plans and pension plans for corporations and other
         employers.

    You can also transfer your  tax-deferred  plan to us from another company or
custodian. Call or write us for a Request to Transfer form.

IMPORTANT POLICIES REGARDING YOUR INVESTMENTS

    Every  account is subject to policies  that could  affect  your  investment.
Please refer to the Investor  Services Guide for further  information  about the
policies discussed below, as well as further detail about the services we offer

  (1)    We reserve the right for any reason to suspend  the  offering of shares
         for a  period  of  time,  or to  reject  any  specific  purchase  order
         (including  purchases  by  exchange).  Additionally,  purchases  may be
         refused  if, in the  opinion  of the  manager,  they are of a size that
         would disrupt the management of the fund.

  (2)    We  reserve  the  right  to  make  changes  to  any  stated  investment
         requirements,  including those that relate to purchases,  transfers and
         redemptions.  In addition,  we may also alter,  add to or terminate any
         investor   services  and   privileges.   Any  changes  may  affect  all
         shareholders or only certain series or classes of shareholders.

  (3)    Shares  being  acquired  must be  qualified  for sale in your  state of
         residence.

  (4)    Transactions  requesting  a  specific  price and date,  other than open
         orders, will be refused.  Once you have mailed or otherwise transmitted
         your  transaction  instructions  to us,  they  may not be  modified  or
         canceled.

  (5)    If a transaction request is made by a corporation,  partnership, trust,
         fiduciary,  agent  or  unincorporated   association,  we  will  require
         evidence  satisfactory to us of the authority of the individual  making
         the request.

  (6)    We have established  procedures  designed to assure the authenticity of
         instructions received by telephone. These procedures include requesting
         personal  identification  from callers,  recording telephone calls, and
         providing  written  confirmations  of  telephone  transactions.   These
         procedures are designed to protect  shareholders  from  unauthorized or
         fraudulent  instructions.  If we do not employ reasonable procedures to
         confirm  the  genuineness  of  instructions,  then we may be liable for
         losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The company, its
         transfer agent and investment  advisor will not be responsible  for any
         loss due to instructions they reasonably believe are genuine.

  (7)    All   signatures   should  be  exactly  as  the  name  appears  in  the
         registration.  If the owner's name appears in the  registration as Mary
         Elizabeth Jones, she should sign that way and not as Mary E. Jones.

  (8)    Unusual  stock  market  conditions  have  in the  past  resulted  in an
         increase  in  the  number  of  shareholder   telephone  calls.  If  you
         experience  difficulty in reaching us during such periods, you may send
         your transaction instructions by mail, express mail or courier service,
         or you may  visit  one of our  Investor  Centers.  You may also use our
         Automated Information Line if you have requested and received an access
         code and are not attempting to redeem shares.

  (9)    If  you  fail  to  provide  us  with  the  correct  certified  taxpayer
         identification  number, we may reduce any redemption proceeds by $50 to
         cover the  penalty the IRS will impose on us for failure to report your
         correct taxpayer identification number on information reports.

  (10)   We will perform special inquiries on shareholder  accounts.  A research
         fee of $15 per hour may be applied.

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

    At the  end of  each  calendar  quarter,  we will  send  you a  consolidated
statement that summarizes all of your American Century  holdings,  as well as an
individ-


PROSPECTUS           HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS         25


ual statement for each fund you own that reflects all  year-to-date  activity in
your account. You may request a statement of your account activity at any time.

    With the  exception of most  automatic  transactions,  each time you invest,
redeem,  transfer or exchange  shares,  we will send you a  confirmation  of the
transaction. See the Investor Services Guide for more detail.

    Carefully  review  all the  information  relating  to  transactions  on your
statements  and  confirmations  to ensure that your  instructions  were acted on
properly.  Please notify us immediately in writing if there is an error.  If you
fail to provide  notification  of an error  with  reasonable  promptness,  i.e.,
within 30 days of  non-automatic  transactions  or within 30 days of the date of
your consolidated quarterly statement, in the case of automatic transactions, we
will deem you to have ratified the transaction.

    No later than January 31 of each year, we will send you reports that you may
use in completing your U.S. income tax return.  See the Investor  Services Guide
for more information.

    Each year,  we will send you an annual and a semiannual  report  relating to
your fund, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  The annual report
includes audited financial  statements and a list of portfolio  securities as of
the  fiscal  year  end.  The  semiannual  report  includes  unaudited  financial
statements  for the first six  months of the fiscal  year,  as well as a list of
portfolio  securities at the end of the period. You also will receive an updated
prospectus  at least once each year.  Please read these  materials  carefully as
they will help you understand your fund.


CUSTOMERS OF BANKS, BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

    Information   contained  in  our  Investor   Services   Guide   pertains  to
shareholders  who invest  directly with American  Century  rather than through a
bank, broker-dealer or other financial intermediary.

    If you  own or are  considering  purchasing  fund  shares  through  a  bank,
broker-dealer,  or other  financial  intermediary,  your  ability  to  purchase,
exchange and redeem shares will depend on your agreement  with, and the policies
of, such financial intermediary.

    You may reach one of our Institutional  Service  Representatives  by calling
1-800-345-3533 to request information about our funds and services,  to obtain a
current  prospectus or to get answers to any questions  about our funds that you
are unable to obtain through your financial intermediary.


26 HOW TO INVEST WITH AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS  AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


                    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW

SHARE PRICE

WHEN SHARE PRICE IS DETERMINED

    The price of your shares is also  referred to as their net asset value.  Net
asset value is determined  by  calculating  the total value of a fund's  assets,
deducting  total  liabilities  and  dividing  the result by the number of shares
outstanding. For all American Century funds, except funds issued by the American
Century Target  Maturities  Trust, net asset value is determined at the close of
regular trading on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open,  usually 3
p.m.  Central  time.  The net  asset  values  for  Target  Maturities  funds are
determined one hour prior to the close of the Exchange.

    Investments and requests to redeem or exchange shares will receive the share
price next  determined  after  receipt by us of the  investment,  redemption  or
exchange  request.  For example,  investments and requests to redeem or exchange
shares received by us or our agents or designees before the time as of which the
net asset value of the fund is  determined,  are  effective on, and will receive
the price  determined,  that day.  Investment,  redemption and exchange requests
received  thereafter are effective on, and receive the price  determined on, the
next day the Exchange is open.

    Investments  are  considered  received  only when payment is received by us.
Wired  funds are  considered  received  the day they are  deposited  in our bank
account if they are deposited before the time as of which the net asset value is
determined.

    Investments by telephone pursuant to your prior  authorization to us to draw
on your bank account are considered received at the time of your telephone call.

    Investment and transaction  instructions  received by us on any business day
by mail prior to the time as of which the net asset  value is  determined,  will
receive that day's price.  Investments and instructions received after that time
will receive the price determined on the next business day.

    If you  invest in fund  shares  through a bank,  financial  advisor or other
financial intermediary,  it is the responsibility of your financial intermediary
to  transmit  your  purchase,  exchange  and  redemption  requests to the funds'
transfer agent prior to the applicable  cut-off time for receiving orders and to
make  payment  for any  purchase  transactions  in  accordance  with the  funds'
procedures  or any  contractual  arrangements  with  the  funds  or  the  funds'
distributor in order for you to receive that day's price.

    We have contractual  relationships with certain financial  intermediaries in
which such intermediaries  represent that they have systems to track the time at
which  investment  orders are  received  and to  segregate  orders  received  at
different times. Based on these representations,  the funds have authorized such
intermediaries  and their designees to accept purchase and redemption  orders on
the funds' behalf up to the applicable cut-off time. The funds will be deemed to
have received such orders upon acceptance by the duly  authorized  intermediary,
and such  orders  will be priced at the funds' net asset  value next  determined
after acceptance on the funds' behalf by such intermediary.

HOW SHARE PRICE IS DETERMINED

    The valuation of assets for determining net asset value may be summarized as
follows:

    The portfolio  securities of each fund, except as otherwise noted, listed or
traded on a domestic  securities  exchange  are valued at the last sale price on
that  exchange.  Portfolio  securities  primarily  traded on foreign  securities
exchanges  are  generally  valued  at  the  preceding  closing  values  of  such
securities on the exchange where primarily traded. If no sale is reported, or if
local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked
prices is used.  Depending on local convention or regulation,  securities traded
over-the-counter  are priced at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices,  or
at the last sale  price.  When  market  quotations  are not  readily  available,
securities and other assets are valued at fair value as determined in accordance
with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.

    Debt  securities  not traded on a principal  securities  exchange are valued
through valuations obtained from a commercial pricing service or at the most


PROSPECTUS           ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW             27


recent  mean of the bid and asked  prices  provided  by  investment  dealers  in
accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors.

    The  value of an  exchange-traded  foreign  security  is  determined  in its
national currency as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it
is traded or as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange, if that
is earlier.  That value is then exchanged to dollars at the  prevailing  foreign
exchange rate.

    Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern  securities  exchanges and
over-the-counter markets is normally completed at various times before the close
of  business on each day that the New York Stock  Exchange is open.  If an event
were to occur after the value of a security was  established  but before the net
asset value per share was  determined  that was likely to materially  change the
net asset value,  then that security would be valued at fair value as determined
in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.

    Trading of these  securities in foreign  markets may not take place on every
New York Stock  Exchange  business  day. In addition,  trading may take place in
various  foreign  markets on  Saturdays or on other days when the New York Stock
Exchange  is not open and on which a fund's net asset  value is not  calculated.
Therefore,  such  calculation  does not take  place  contemporaneously  with the
determination  of the prices of many of the  portfolio  securities  used in such
calculation  and the value of a fund's  portfolio  may be  affected on days when
shares of the fund may not be purchased or redeemed.

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE PRICE

    The net asset  values of the  Investor  Class of the funds are  published in
leading newspapers daily. The net asset value of the Institutional Class of each
fund may be obtained by calling us.

DISTRIBUTIONS

    In  general,  distributions  from net  investment  income  and net  realized
securities  gains,  if any, are declared and paid once a year, but the funds may
make  distributions  on a more  frequent  basis to comply with the  distribution
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner  consistent
with the provisions of the Investment Company Act. Distributions from investment
income and from net profits realized on the sale of securities,  if any, will be
declared annually on or before December 31.

    THE OBJECTIVE OF THESE FUNDS IS CAPITAL  APPRECIATION AND NOT THE PRODUCTION
OF DISTRIBUTIONS. YOU SHOULD MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF YOUR INVESTMENT BY THE VALUE
OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND NOT BY THE DISTRIBUTIONS YOU RECEIVE.

    For shareholders  investing through taxable accounts,  distributions will be
reinvested unless you elect to receive them in cash.  Distributions of less than
$10 generally will be reinvested. Distributions made shortly after a purchase by
check or ACH may be held up to 15 days. You may elect to have  distributions  on
shares  held in certain  IRAs and  403(b)  plans paid in cash only if you are at
least  59(1)/(2)  years old or permanently  and totally  disabled.  Distribution
checks  normally  are mailed  within  seven days after the record  date.  Please
consult our  Investor  Services  Guide for further  information  regarding  your
distribution options.

    A  distribution  on  shares of a fund  does not  increase  the value of your
shares or your total return. At any given time the value of your shares includes
the  undistributed  net  gains,  if any,  realized  by the  fund on the  sale of
portfolio securities,  and undistributed  dividends and interest received,  less
fund expenses.

    Because  such gains and  dividends  are included in the value of your shares
prior to  distribution,  when they are  distributed  the value of your shares is
reduced  by the amount of the  distribution.  If you buy your  shares  through a
taxable  account just before the  distribution,  you will pay the full price for
your shares,  and then receive a portion of the purchase price back as a taxable
distribution. See "Taxes," this page.

TAXES

    Each fund has elected to be taxed under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code,  which means that to the extent its income is distributed to shareholders,
it pays no income tax.

TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNTS

    If fund  shares  are  purchased  through  tax-deferred  accounts,  such as a
qualified    employer-sponsored    retirement   or   savings   plan   (excluding
participant-directed  employer-sponsored  retirement plans, which are ineligible
to invest in Institutional Class shares), income and capital gains distributions
paid by the funds will generally not be subject to current taxation,


28 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW           AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


but will accumulate in your account on a tax-deferred basis.

TAXABLE ACCOUNTS

    If fund shares are purchased through taxable accounts,  distributions of net
investment  income  and net  short-term  capital  gains  are  taxable  to you as
ordinary income. The dividends from net income may qualify for the 70% dividends
received  deduction  for  corporations  to the extent  that the fund held shares
receiving the dividend for more than 45 days. Distributions from gains on assets
held  greater  than 12 months but no more than 18 months (28% rate gain)  and/or
assets held  greater  than 18 months  (20% rate gain) are  taxable as  long-term
gains  regardless of the length of time you have held the shares.  However,  you
should note that any loss  realized  upon the sale or  redemption of shares held
for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
of any distribution of long-term capital gain to (28% or 20% rate gain) you with
respect to such shares.

    Dividends  and interest  received by a fund on foreign  securities  may give
rise  to  withholding  and  other  taxes  imposed  by  foreign  countries.   Tax
conventions  between  certain  countries  and the  United  States  may reduce or
eliminate such taxes. Foreign countries generally do not impose taxes on capital
gains in respect of investments  by  non-resident  investors.  The foreign taxes
paid by a fund will reduce its dividends.

    If more  than 50% of the value of a fund's  total  assets at the end of each
quarter of its fiscal year consists of securities of foreign  corporations,  the
fund may qualify for and make an election with the Internal Revenue Service with
respect to such  fiscal  year so that fund  shareholders  may be able to claim a
foreign tax credit in lieu of a deduction  for foreign  income taxes paid by the
fund.  If such an election is made,  the foreign  taxes paid by the fund will be
treated as income  received by you. In order for the  shareholder to utilize the
foreign  tax  credit,  the mutual fund shares must have been held for 16 days or
more during the 30-day period,  beginning 15 days prior to the ex-dividend  date
for the mutual fund shares.  The mutual fund must meet a similar  holding period
requirement  with  respect  to  foreign   securities  to  which  a  dividend  is
attributable.  Any portion of the foreign tax credit  which is  ineligible  as a
result of the fund not meeting the holding period requirement will be separately
disclosed and may be eligible as an itemized deduction.

    If a fund purchases the securities of certain  foreign  investment  funds or
trusts called passive foreign investment companies (PFIC),  capital gains on the
sale of such  holdings  will be deemed to be ordinary  income  regardless of how
long the fund holds its  investment.  The fund may also be subject to  corporate
income tax and an interest charge on certain  dividends and capital gains earned
from  these  investments,  regardless  of  whether  such  income  and  gains are
distributed to shareholders. In the alternative, the fund may elect to recognize
cumulative  gains on such  investments as of the last day of its fiscal year and
distribute  it to  shareholders.  Any  distribution  attributable  to a PFIC  is
characterized as ordinary income.

    Distributions  are taxable to you  regardless  of whether  they are taken in
cash or reinvested,  even if the value of your shares is below your cost. If you
purchase shares shortly before a distribution,  you must pay income taxes on the
distribution,  even though the value of your investment (plus cash received,  if
any) will not have  increased.  In  addition,  the  share  price at the time you
purchase  shares may  include  unrealized  gains in the  securities  held in the
investment portfolio of the fund. If these portfolio securities are subsequently
sold and the gains are realized,  they will, to the extent not offset by capital
losses, be paid to you as a distribution of capital gains and will be taxable to
you as short-term or long-term capital gains (28% and/or 20% rate gain).

    In January of the year  following the  distribution,  if you own shares in a
taxable account, you will receive a Form 1099-DIV notifying you of the status of
your distributions for federal income tax purposes.

    Distributions may also be subject to state and local taxes, even if all or a
substantial  part  of such  distributions  are  derived  from  interest  on U.S.
government  obligations  which,  if you received them directly,  would be exempt
from state income tax. However, most but not all states allow this tax exemption
to pass  through  to fund  shareholders  when a fund pays  distributions  to its
shareholders.  You should  consult your tax advisor about the tax status of such
distributions in your own state.

    If you have not complied  with certain  provisions  of the Internal  Revenue
Code, we or your financial inter-


PROSPECTUS                 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW      29


mediary is  required  by  federal  law to  withhold  and remit to the IRS 31% of
reportable  payments (which may include dividends,  capital gains  distributions
and  redemptions).  Those  regulations  require  you to certify  that the Social
Security number or tax identification number you provide is correct and that you
are not subject to 31% withholding for previous  under-reporting to the IRS. You
will be  asked  to  make  the  appropriate  certification  on your  application.
Payments   reported  by  us  that  omit  your  Social  Security  number  or  tax
identification number will subject us to a penalty of $50, which will be charged
against  your account if you fail to provide the  certification  by the time the
report is filed, and is not refundable.

    Redemption of shares of a fund  (including  redemptions  made in an exchange
transaction)  will be a taxable  transaction for federal income tax purposes and
shareholders  will  generally  recognize  gain or loss in an amount equal to the
difference  between  the basis of the shares and the amount  received.  Assuming
that  shareholders hold such shares as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be
a capital gain or loss and will generally be considered long-term subject to tax
at a maximum rate of 28% (28% rate  gain/loss)  if  shareholders  have held such
shares  for a period  of more than 12  months  but no more  than 18  months  and
long-term  subject  to tax at a maximum  rate of 20%,  minimum  of 10% (20% rate
gain/loss)  if  shareholders  have held such shares for a period of more than 18
months. If a loss is realized on the redemption of fund shares, the reinvestment
in additional  fund shares within 30 days before or after the  redemption may be
subject to the "wash sale" rules of the Code, resulting in a postponement of the
recognition of such loss for federal income tax purposes.

MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

    Under  the  laws of the  State  of  Maryland,  the  Board  of  Directors  is
responsible for managing the business and affairs of the funds.  Acting pursuant
to an  investment  management  agreement  entered into with the funds,  American
Century  Investment  Management,  Inc.  serves as the investment  manager of the
funds.  Its principal  place of business is American  Century  Tower,  4500 Main
Street,  Kansas City, Missouri 64111. The manager has been providing  investment
advisory services to investment companies and institutional clients since it was
founded in 1958.

    The manager  supervises and manages the  investment  portfolios of the funds
and directs the purchase and sale of their  investment  securities.  It utilizes
teams of portfolio  managers,  assistant  portfolio managers and analysts acting
together to manage the assets of the funds.  The teams meet  regularly to review
portfolio  holdings and to discuss purchase and sale activity.  The teams adjust
holdings in the funds'  portfolios  as they deem  appropriate  in pursuit of the
funds' investment  objectives.  Individual portfolio manager members of the team
may also  adjust  portfolio  holdings  of the funds as  necessary  between  team
meetings.

    The portfolio  manager  members of the teams managing the funds described in
this  Prospectus  and  their  work  experience  for the last  five  years are as
follows:

    JAMES E. STOWERS III, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager,  joined
American Century in 1981. He is a member of the team that manages Ultra.

    HAROLD S. BRADLEY,  Vice President and Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in 1988.  For the past 10 years,  Mr.  Bradley  has  managed  the global
equity, futures and foreign exchange trading activities for American Century. He
is a member of the team that manages Heritage.

    ARNOLD K. DOUVILLE,  Vice President and Portfolio  Manager,  joined American
Century in November 1997. Prior to joining American Century, Mr. Douville served
as Senior Portfolio Manager for Munder Capital Management. He is a member of the
team that manages Vista.

    GLENN A. FOGLE,  Vice  President  and  Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in September  1990 as an  Investment  Analyst,  a position he held until
March 1993. At that time he was promoted to Portfolio Manager. He is a member of
the team that manages Vista.

    C. KIM GOODWIN,  Vice  President  and  Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in October 1997. Prior to joining American  Century,  Ms. Goodwin served
as Senior Vice President and Portfolio  Manager at Putnam  Investments  from May
1996 to September  1997 and Vice  President and Portfolio  Manager at Prudential
Investments  from February 1993 to April 1996.  Prior to that,  she served as an


30  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW          AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS


Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Mellon Bank  Corporation.  She
is a member of the team that manages Growth.

    JEAN C.  LEDFORD,  Vice  President and Portfolio  Manager,  joined  American
Century in January 1997. Prior to joining American  Century,  Ms. Ledford worked
for the State of Wisconsin  Investment Board as an Investment Director from 1994
to 1996 and as an Assistance  Investment Director from 1983 to 1994. Ms. Ledford
is a member of the team that manages Select.

    LINDA K. PETERSON,  Portfolio Manager,  joined American Century in 1986. She
served as an  Investment  Analyst for American  Century  growth-oriented  equity
funds, including Heritage, from April 1994 until February 1998. She was promoted
to  Portfolio  Manager in March 1998.  She is a member of the team that  manages
Heritage.

    JOHN R. SYKORA, Portfolio Manager, joined American Century in May 1994 as an
Investment  Analyst,  a position he held until August 1997.  At that time he was
promoted to Portfolio  Manager.  Prior to joining American  Century,  My. Sykora
served as a Financial  Analyst for Business Men's Assurance  Company of America,
Kansas City, Missouri,  from August 1993 to April 1994. Prior to that Mr. Sykora
attended Michigan State University where he obtained his MBA degree.  Mr. Sykora
is a member of the team that manages Ultra.

    BRUCE A. WIMBERLY,  Portfolio Manager,  joined American Century in September
1994 as an Investment  Analyst, a position he held until July 1996. At that time
he was promoted to Portfolio  Manager.  Prior to joining American  Century,  Mr.
Wimberly attended Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University
from August 1992 to August 1994, where he obtained his MBA degree.  Mr. Wimberly
is a member of the team that manages Ultra.

    The  activities  of the manager are subject only to directions of the funds'
Board of  Directors.  The  manager  pays all the  expenses  of the funds  except
brokerage,  taxes,  interest,  fees and  expenses of the  non-interested  person
directors (including counsel fees) and extraordinary expenses.

    For the  services  provided  to the  Institutional  Class of the funds,  the
manager receives an annual fee of 0.80% of the average net assets of each of the
funds.

    On the first business day of each month,  each fund pays a management fee to
the  manager  for the  previous  month  at the rate  specified.  The fee for the
previous month is calculated by multiplying  the applicable fee for each fund by
the  aggregate  average daily closing value of the series' net assets during the
previous  month,  and  further  multiplying  that  product  by a  fraction,  the
numerator  of  which  is the  number  of  days  in the  previous  month  and the
denominator of which is 365 (366 in leap years).

CODE OF ETHICS

    The funds and the  manager  have  adopted  a Code of Ethics  that  restricts
personal  investing  practices by  employees of the manager and its  affiliates.
Among other  provisions,  the Code of Ethics requires that employees with access
to information about the purchase or sale of securities in the funds' portfolios
obtain  preclearance before executing personal trades. With respect to Portfolio
Managers  and  other  investment   personnel,   the  Code  of  Ethics  prohibits
acquisition  of securities  in an initial  public  offering,  as well as profits
derived from the purchase and sale of the same security within 60 calendar days.
These provisions are designed to ensure that the interests of fund  shareholders
come before the interests of the people who manage those funds.

TRANSFER AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

    American  Century  Services  Corporation,  4500 Main  Street,  Kansas  City,
Missouri 64111, acts as transfer agent and dividend-paying  agent for the funds.
It provides  facilities,  equipment and personnel to the funds,  and is paid for
such services by the manager.

    Certain  recordkeeping and  administrative  services that would otherwise be
performed  by the transfer  agent may be  performed  by an insurance  company or
other  entity  providing  similar  services for various  retirement  plans using
shares  of the  funds as a  funding  medium,  by  broker-dealers  and  financial
advisors  for their  customers  investing  in shares of  American  Century or by
sponsors of multi mutual fund no- or low-transaction fee programs.

    Although  there is no sales  charge  levied by the  funds,  transactions  in
shares of the funds may be executed by brokers or investment advisors who charge
a transaction-based  fee or other fee for their services.  Such charges may vary
among  broker-dealers and financial advisors,  but in all cases will be retained
by

PROSPECTUS         ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW                 31


the  broker-dealer  or  financial  advisor and not  remitted to the funds or the
manager.  You  should be aware of the fact that these  transactions  may be made
directly with American Century without incurring such fees.

    From time to time,  special  services  may be  offered to  shareholders  who
maintain  higher  share  balances  in our family of funds.  These  services  may
include the waiver of minimum investment requirements, expedited confirmation of
shareholder  transactions,  newsletters and a team of personal  representatives.
Any expenses associated with these special services will be paid by the manager.

    The manager and  transfer  agent are both wholly  owned by American  Century
Companies, Inc. James E. Stowers Jr., Chairman of the funds' Board of Directors,
controls  American Century Companies by virtue of his ownership of a majority of
its common stock.

    Pursuant  to  a  Sub-Administration   Agreement  with  the  manager,   Funds
Distributor,  Inc. (FDI) serves as the  Co-Administrator  for the funds.  FDI is
responsible for (i) providing  certain  officers of the funds and (ii) reviewing
and filing  marketing and sales  literature on behalf of the funds. The fees and
expenses of FDI are paid by the manager out of its unified fee.

DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES

    The funds' shares are distributed by FDI, a registered broker-dealer. FDI is
a wholly-owned  indirect  subsidiary of Boston  Institutional  Group, Inc. FDI's
principal business address is 60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.

    Investors  may  open  accounts  with  American   Century  only  through  the
distributor.  All purchase  transactions in the funds offered by this Prospectus
are  processed  by the  transfer  agent,  which  is  authorized  to  accept  any
instructions relating to fund accounts.  All purchase orders must be accepted by
the  distributor.  All fees and expenses of FDI in acting as distributor for the
funds are paid by the manager.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT AMERICAN CENTURY

    American Century Mutual Funds,  Inc., the issuer of the funds, was organized
as a Maryland corporation on July 2, 1990. The corporation  commenced operations
on February 28, 1991, the date it merged with Twentieth Century Investors, Inc.,
a Delaware  corporation which had been in business since October 1958.  Pursuant
to the  terms of the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger  dated  July 27,  1990,  the
Maryland  corporation was the surviving entity and continued the business of the
Delaware corporation with the same officers and directors, the same shareholders
and the same investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

    The  principal  office of the funds is  American  Century  Tower,  4500 Main
Street, P.O. Box 419385, Kansas City, Missouri 64141-6385.  All inquiries may be
made by mail to that address,  or by telephone to 1-800-345-3533  (international
calls: 816-531-5575).

    American  Century  Mutual  Funds,  Inc.  issues  13 series of $.01 par value
shares.  Each series is commonly  referred to as a fund. The assets belonging to
each series of shares are held separately by the custodian.

    American  Century  offers  four  classes of each of the funds:  an  Investor
Class,  an  Institutional  Class,  a Service Class,  and the Advisor Class.  The
shares  offered by this  Prospectus are  Institutional  Class shares and have no
up-front charges, commissions, or 12b-1 fees.

    The Investor  Class is primarily  made  available to retail  investors.  The
Service Class and Advisor Class are primarily offered to institutional investors
or  through  institutional  distribution  channels,  such as  employer-sponsored
retirement plans or through banks, broker-dealers,  insurance companies or other
financial  intermediaries.  The other  classes have  different  fees,  expenses,
and/or  minimum  investment  requirements  than  the  Institutional  Class.  The
difference  in the fee  structures  among  the  classes  is the  result of their
separate  arrangements  for  shareholder and  distribution  services and not the
result of any difference in amounts  charged by the manager for core  investment
advisory  services.  Accordingly,  the core investment  advisory expenses do not
vary by  class.  Different  fees  and  expenses  will  affect  performance.  For
additional  information concerning the Investor Class of shares, call one of our
Investor Services Representatives at 1-800-345-2021.  For information concerning
the Service or Advisor  classes of shares not offered by this  Prospectus,  call
one of our Institutional Service  Representatives at 1-800-345-3533 or contact a
sales  representative  or financial  intermediary  who offers  those  classes of
shares.


32  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW           AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT


    Except as described  below,  all classes of shares of a fund have  identical
voting,  dividend,   liquidation  and  other  rights,  preferences,   terms  and
conditions.  The only  differences  among the various classes are (a) each class
may be subject to different  expenses specific to that class, (b) each class has
a different identifying designation or name, (c) each class has exclusive voting
rights with respect to matters solely  affecting such class,  (d) each class may
have different exchange privileges,  and (e) the Institutional Class may provide
for automatic  conversion  from that class into shares of the Investor  Class of
the same fund.

    Each  share,  irrespective  of series or class,  is entitled to one vote for
each dollar of net asset value applicable to such share on all questions, except
for those  matters  that must be voted on  separately  by the series or class of
shares affected.  Matters affecting only one series or class are voted upon only
by that series or class.

    Shares have  non-cumulative  voting rights,  which means that the holders of
more than 50% of the votes cast in an election of directors can elect all of the
directors  if  they  choose  to do so,  and in such  event  the  holders  of the
remaining  votes will not be able to elect any person or persons to the Board of
Directors.

    Unless required by the Investment  Company Act, it will not be necessary for
the funds to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a result, shareholders may
not vote each year on the election of directors or the  appointment of auditors.
However,  pursuant to the funds' by laws, the holders of shares  representing at
least 10% of the votes  entitled to be cast may request a fund to hold a special
meeting  of  shareholders.  We  will  assist  in the  communication  with  other
shareholders.

    WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF OUR POLICIES, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES
DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION,
WITHOUT  SHAREHOLDER  APPROVAL  EXCEPT  IN  THOSE  INSTANCES  WHERE  SHAREHOLDER
APPROVAL IS EXPRESSLY REQUIRED.


PROSPECTUS                   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW         33



P.O. BOX 419385
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
64141-6385

INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES:
1-800-345-3533 OR 816-531-5575

TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF:
 1-800-345-1833 OR 816-444-3038

FAX: 816-340-4655

www.americancentury.com



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