FIRST TRUST SPECIAL SITUATIONS TRUST SERIES 165
S-6EL24, 1996-09-05
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               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                
                            FORM S-6
                                
 For Registration Under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities
       of Unit Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2

A.   Exact Name of Trust:             THE FIRST TRUST SPECIAL
                                      SITUATIONS TRUST, SERIES 165

B.   Name of Depositor:               NIKE SECURITIES L.P.

C.   Complete Address of Depositor's  1001 Warrenville Road
     Principal Executive Offices:     Lisle, Illinois  60532

D.   Name and Complete Address of
     Agents for Service:              NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
                                      Attention:  James A. Bowen
                                      Suite 300
                                      1001 Warrenville Road
                                      Lisle, Illinois  60532

E.   Title and Amount of
     Securities Being Registered:     An indefinite number of
                                      Units pursuant to Rule
                                      24f-2 promulgated under
                                      the Investment Company Act
                                      of 1940, as amended.

F.   Proposed Maximum Offering
     Price to the Public of the
     Securities Being Registered:     Indefinite.

G.   Amount of Filing Fee
     (as required by Rule 24f-2):     $500.00

H.   Approximate Date of Proposed
     Sale to the Public:              ____ Check if it is
                                      proposed that this filing
                                      will become effective on
                                      _____ at ____ p.m.
                                      pursuant to Rule 487.
     
     The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement  on
such  date  or  dates as may be necessary to delay its  effective
date  until  the registrant shall file a further amendment  which
specifically  states  that  this  Registration  Statement   shall
thereafter  become effective in accordance with Section  8(a)  of
the  Securities  Act of 1933 or until the Registration  Statement
shall  become  effective on such date as the  Commission,  acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

      THE FIRST TRUST SPECIAL SITUATIONS TRUST, SERIES 165
                                
                      Cross-Reference Sheet
                                
                                
         (Form N-8B-2 Items required by Instructions as
                 to the Prospectus in Form S-6)

           FORM N-8B-2                        FORM S-6
           ITEM NUMBER                  HEADING IN PROSPECTUS
                                
            I.  ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1.   (a)  Name of trust                 Prospectus front cover
     (b)  Title of securities issued    Summary of Essential
                                        Information

2.        Name and address of each      Information as to
          depositor                     Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

3.        Name and address of           Information as to
          trustee                       Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

4.        Name and address of           Underwriting
          principal underwriters

5.        State of organization         The First Trust Special
          of trust                      Situations Trust

6.        Execution and termination     The First Trust Special
          of trust agreement            Situations Trust; Other
                                        Information

7.        Changes of name                    *

8.        Fiscal Year                        *

9.        Litigation                         *
                                
II.  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND SECURITIES OF THE TRUST

10.  (a)  Registered or bearer          Rights of Unit Holders
          securities

     (b)  Cumulative or distributive
          securities                    The First Trust Special
                                        Situations Trust

     (c)  Redemption                    Rights of Unit Holders

     (d)  Conversion, transfer, etc.    Rights of Unit Holders

     (e)  Periodic payment plan
          certificates                       *

     (f)  Voting rights                 Rights of Unit Holders;
                                        Other Information

     (g)  Notice of certificate-        Rights of Unit Holders;
          holders                       Other Information

     (h)  Consents required             Rights of Unit Holders;
                                        Other Information

     (i)  Other provisions              The First Trust Special
                                        Situations Trust

11.  Types of securities comprising     The First Trust Special
                                        units Situations Trust

12.       Certain information
          regarding periodic payment
          plan certificates                  *

13.  (a)  Load, fees, expenses, etc.    Summary of Essential
                                        Information; Public
                                        Offering; The First Trust
                                        Special Situations Trust

     (b)  Certain information
          regarding periodic payment
          plan certificates                  *

     (c)  Certain percentages           Summary of Essential
                                        Information; The First
                                        Trust Special Situations
                                        Trust; Public Offering

     (d)  Difference in price offered   Public Offering
          for any class of transactions
          to any class or group of
          individuals

     (e)  Certain other load fees,      Rights of Unit Holders
          expenses, etc. payable by
          holders

     (f)  Certain profits receivable    The First Trust Special
          by depositor, principal       Situations Trust
          underwriters, trustee or
          affiliated persons

     (g)  Ratio of annual charges to
          income                             *

14.       Issuance of trust's           Rights of Unit Holders
          securities

15.       Receipt and handling of
          payments from purchasers           *

16.       Acquisition and disposition
          of underlying securities      The First Trust Special
                                        Situations Trust; Rights
                                        of Unit Holders

17.       Withdrawal or redemption      The First Trust Special
                                        Situations Trust; Public
                                        Offering; Rights of Unit
                                        Holders

18.  (a)  Receipt, custody and
          disposition of income         Rights of Unit Holders

     (b)  Reinvestment of
          distributions                 Rights of Unit Holders

     (c)  Reserves or special funds     Information as to
                                        Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

     (d)  Schedule of distributions          *

19.       Records, accounts and
          reports                       Rights of Unit Holders

20.       Certain miscellaneous
          provisions of trust
          agreement

     (a)  Amendment                     Other Information

     (b)  Termination                   Other Information

     (c)  and (d) Trustee, removal and
          successor                     Information as to
                                        Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

     (e)  and (f) Depositor, removal    Information as to
          and successor                 Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

21.       Loans to security holders          *

22.       Limitations on liability      The First Trust Special
                                        Situations Trust;
                                        Information as to
                                        Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

23.       Bonding arrangements          Contents of Registration
                                        Statement

24.       Other material provisions
          of trust agreement                 *
                                
III.  ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR

25.       Organization of depositor     Information as to
                                        Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

26.       Fees received by depositor         *

27.       Business of depositor         Information as to
                                        Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

28.       Certain information as to          *
          officials and affiliated
          persons of depositor

29.       Voting securities of               *
          depositor

30.       Persons controlling                *
          depositor

31.       Payment by depositor for           *
          certain services rendered
          to trust

32.       Payment by depositor for           *
          certain other services
          rendered to trust

33.       Remuneration of other              *
          persons for certain
          services rendered to trust

34.       Remuneration of other              *
          persons for certain services
          rendered to trust
                                
                IV.  DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION

35.       Distribution of trust's
          securities by states          Public Offering

36.       Suspension of sales of
          trust's securities                 *

37.       Revocation of authority
          to distribute                      *

38.  (a)  Method of distribution        Public Offering

     (b)  Underwriting agreements       Public Offering;
                                        Underwriting

     (c)  Selling agreements            Public Offering

39.  (a)  Organization of principal     Information as to
          underwriters                  Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

     (b)  N.A.S.D. membership of        Information as to
          principal underwriters        Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

40.       Certain fee received by       See Items 13(a) and 13(e)
          principal underwriters

41.  (a)  Business of principal         Information as to
          underwriters                  Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

     (b)  Branch offices of
          principal underwriters             *

     (c)  Salesmen of principal
          underwriters                       *

42.       Ownership of trust's
          securities by certain
          persons                            *

43.       Certain brokerage
          commissions received
          by principal underwriters          *

44.  (a)  Method of valuation           Summary of Essential
                                        Information; The First
                                        Trust Special Situations
                                        Trust; Public Offering

     (b)  Schedule as to offering
          price                              *

     (c)  Variation in offering         Public Offering
          price to certain persons

45.       Suspension of redemption
          rights                             *

46.  (a)  Redemption Valuation          Rights of Unit Holders

     (b)  Schedule as to redemption
          price                              *

47.       Maintenance of position       Public Offering; Rights
          in underlying securities      of Unit Holders
                                
       V.  INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN

48.       Organization and regulation   Information as to
          of trustee                    Sponsor, Trustee and
                                        Evaluator

49.       Fees and expenses of trustee  The First Trust Special
                                        Situations Trust

50.       Trustee's lien                The First Trust Special
                                        Situations Trust
                                
     VI.  INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INSURANCE OF HOLDERS OR
                           SECURITIES

51.       Insurance of holders of            *
          trust's securities
                                
                   VII.  POLICY OF REGISTRANT

52.  (a)  Provisions of trust           The First Trust Special
          agreement with respect        Situations Trust; Rights
          to selection or elimination   of Unit Holders
          of underlying securities

     (b)  Transactions involving
          elimination of underlying
          securities                         *

     (c)  Policy regarding              The First Trust Special
          substitution or elimination   Situations Trust; Rights
          of underlying securities      of Unit Holders

     (d)  Fundamental policy not
          otherwise covered                  *

53.       Tax status of Trust           The First Trust Special
                                        Situations Trust
                                
          VIII.  FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION

54.       Trust's securities during
          last ten years                     *

55.       Certain information regarding
          periodic payment plan
          certificates

56.       Certain information regarding
          periodic payment plan
          certificates

57.       Certain information regarding      *
          periodic payment plan
          certificates

58.       Certain information regarding
          periodic payment plan
          certificates

59.       Financial statements          Report of Independent
          (Instruction 1(b) to          Auditors; Statement of
          Form S-6)                     Net Assets





__________________________
*    Inapplicable, answer negative or not required.
                                
                                

             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 5, 1996

                    First Trust (registered trademark)

                Oil Field Services Growth Trust, Series 1

The Trust. The First Trust (registered trademark) Special Situations
Trust, Series 165 (the "Trust") is a unit investment trust consisting of
a portfolio of common stocks issued by energy companies.

The objective of the Trust is to provide for potential capital
appreciation by investing the Trust's portfolio in common stocks issued
by energy companies (the "Equity Securities"). See "Schedule of
Investments." The Trust has a mandatory termination date ("Mandatory
Termination Date" or "Trust Ending Date") as set forth under "Summary of
Essential Information." There is, of course, no guarantee that the
objective of the Trust will be achieved. Each Unit of the Trust
represents an undivided fractional interest in all the Equity Securities
deposited in the Trust. 

The Equity Securities deposited in the Trust's portfolio have no fixed
maturity date and the value of these underlying Equity Securities will
fluctuate with changes in the values of stocks in general. See
"Portfolio."

The Sponsor may, from time to time during a period of up to
approximately 360 days after the Initial Date of Deposit, deposit
additional Equity Securities or cash (including a letter of credit) with
instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in the Trust. Such
deposits of additional Equity Securities or cash will, therefore, be
done in such a manner that the original proportionate relationship
amongst the individual issues of the Equity Securities shall be
maintained. Any deposit by the Sponsor of additional Equity Securities,
or the purchase of additional Equity Securities pursuant to a cash
deposit, will duplicate, as nearly as is practicable, the original
proportionate relationship established on the Initial Date of Deposit,
and not the actual proportionate relationship on the subsequent date of
deposit, since the two may differ. Any such difference may be due to the
sale, redemption or liquidation of any Equity Securities deposited in
the Trust on the Initial, or any subsequent, Date of Deposit. See "What
is the First Trust Special Situations Trust?" and "How May Equity
Securities be Removed from the Trust?" 

Public Offering Price. The Public Offering Price per Unit of the Trust
during the initial offering period is equal to the aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the
closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the ask prices of
over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus a pro rata
share of cash, if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust,
plus an initial sales charge equal to the difference between the maximum
sales charge of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price and the maximum
remaining deferred sales charge, initially $0.20 per Unit. Commencing on
               , 1996, and on the last business day of each month
thereafter, through                  , 1997, a deferred sales charge of
$0.02 will be assessed per Unit per month. Units purchased subsequent to
the initial deferred sales charge payment but still during the initial
offering period will be subject to the initial sales charge and the
remaining deferred sales charge payments not yet collected. The deferred
sales charge will be paid from funds in the Income and/or Capital
Accounts, if sufficient, or from the periodic sale of Equity Securities.
The total maximum sales charge assessed to Unit holders on a per Unit
basis will be 4.5% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.615% of
the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge),
subject to a reduction beginning               , 1997. A pro rata share
of accumulated dividends, if any, in the Income Account is included in
the Public Offering Price. Upon completion of the deferred sales charge

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.

INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD
NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE
ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,
SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR
QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE.

                         Nike Securities L.P.
              Sponsor of First Trust (registered trademark)
                             1-800-621-9533

             The date of this Prospectus is _________, 1996

Page 1                                                                   

period, the secondary market Public Offering Price per Unit will not
include deferred payments, but will instead include only a one-time
initial sales charge of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to
4.712% of the net amount invested), which will be reduced by 1/2 of 1%
on each subsequent     , commencing               , 1997 to a minimum
sales charge of 3.0%. The minimum amount which an investor may purchase
in the Trust is $1,000 ($250 for an Individual Retirement Account or
other retirement plans). The sales charge is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales involving at least 5,000 Units. See "How is the Public
Offering Price Determined?"

UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY,
ANY BANK, AND UNITS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY
THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION AND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISK
INCLUDING LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

Estimated Net Annual Distributions. The estimated net annual dividend
distributions to Unit holders (based on the most recent quarterly or
semi-annual ordinary dividend declared with respect to the Equity
Securities in the Trust) on the Initial Date of Deposit for the Oil
Field Services Growth Trust, Series 1 was $    per Unit. The actual net
annual dividend distributions per Unit will vary with changes in fees
and expenses of the Trust, with changes in dividends received and with
the sale or liquidation of Equity Securities; therefore, there is no
assurance that the estimated net annual dividend distributions will be
realized in the future.

Dividend and Capital Distributions. Distributions of dividends and
capital, if any, received by the Trust, net of expenses of the Trust,
will be paid on the Distribution Date to Unit holders of record on the
Record Date as set forth in the "Summary of Essential Information."
Distributions of funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be made at
least annually in December of each year. Any distribution of income
and/or capital will be net of the expenses of the Trust. See "What is
the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?" Additionally, upon termination
of the Trust, the Trustee will distribute, upon surrender of Units for
redemption, to each Unit holder his pro rata share of the Trust's
assets, less expenses, in the manner set forth under "Rights of Unit
Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?"

Secondary Market for Units. After the initial offering period, while
under no obligation to do so, the Sponsor intends to maintain a market
for Units of the Trust and offer to repurchase such Units at prices
which are based on the aggregate underlying value of Equity Securities
in the Trust (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed
Equity Securities and the bid prices of over-the-counter traded Equity
Securities) plus or minus cash, if any, in the Capital and Income
Accounts of the Trust. If a secondary market is maintained during the
initial offering period, the prices at which Units will be repurchased
will also be based upon the aggregate underlying value of the Equity
Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the closing sale prices
of listed Equity Securities and the ask prices of over-the-counter
traded Equity Securities) plus or minus cash, if any, in the Capital and
Income Accounts of the Trust. If a secondary market is not maintained, a
Unit holder may redeem Units through redemption at prices based upon the
aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust
(generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity
Securities and the bid prices of over-the-counter traded Equity
Securities) plus or minus a pro rata share of cash, if any, in the
Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust. A Unit holder tendering 2,500
Units or more for redemption may request a distribution of shares of
Equity Securities (reduced by customary transfer and registration
charges) in lieu of payment in cash. Units subject to a deferred sales
charge which are sold or tendered for redemption prior to such time as
the entire deferred sales charge on such Units has been collected will
be assessed the amount of the remaining deferred sales charge at the
time of sale or redemption. See "How May Units be Redeemed?"

Termination. Commencing on the Mandatory Termination Date, Equity
Securities will begin to be sold in connection with the termination of
the Trust. The Sponsor will determine the manner, timing and execution
of the sale of the Equity Securities. Written notice of any termination
of the Trust specifying the time or times at which Unit holders may
surrender their certificates for cancellation shall be given by the
Trustee to each Unit holder at his address appearing on the registration
books of the Trust maintained by the Trustee. At least 60 days prior to
the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust, the Trustee will provide
written notice thereof to all Unit holders and will include with such
notice a form to enable Unit holders to elect a distribution of shares
of Equity Securities (reduced by customary transfer and registration
charges) if such Unit holder owns at least 2,500 Units of the Trust,
rather than to receive payment in cash for such Unit holder's pro rata

Page 2                                                                   

share of the amounts realized upon the disposition by the Trustee of
Equity Securities. To be effective, the election form, together with
surrendered certificates and other documentation required by the
Trustee, must be returned to the Trustee at least five business days
prior to the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust. Unit holders not
electing a distribution of shares of Equity Securities will receive a
cash distribution within a reasonable time after the Trust is
terminated. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital
Distributed?"

Risk Factors. An investment in the Trust should be made with an
understanding of the risks associated therewith, including, among other
factors, the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of
the issuers of the Equity Securities or the general condition of the
stock market, changes in interest rates and economic recession. As the
Trust consists of common stocks of companies engaged in the exploration,
production and distribution of oil and natural gas, investors should be
aware of risks specific to the energy industry, including the effects of
international politics, production controls, energy conservation, the
success of exploration projects and tax and other regulatory policies of
various governments. Volatility in the market price of the Equity
Securities in the Trust also changes the value of the Units of the
Trust. Unit holders tendering Units for redemption during periods of
market volatility may receive redemption proceeds which are more or less
than they paid for the Units. The Trust's portfolio is not managed and
Equity Securities will not be sold by the Trust regardless of market
fluctuations, although certain Equity Securities may be sold under
certain limited circumstances. See "What are Equity Securities?-Risk
Factors."

Page 3                                                                   

                                         Summary of Essential Information

                At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
                                 of the Equity Securities-_________, 1996

              Sponsor:   Nike Securities L.P.
              Trustee:   The Chase Manhattan Bank
            Evaluator:   First Trust Advisors L.P.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
General Information
Initial Number of Units (1)                                                                                     15,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit (1)                                                       1/15,000
Public Offering Price: 
    Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Equity Securities in Portfolio (2)                                $
    Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Equity Securities per Unit                                        $
    Maximum Sales Charge 4.5% of the Public Offering Price per Unit                                                   
        (4.615% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge) (3)                      $
        Less Deferred Sales Charge per Unit                                                                  $(      ) 
    Public Offering Price per Unit (3)                                                                       $        
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit                                                                  $        
Redemption Price per Unit (based on aggregate underlying                                                              
    value of Equity Securities less the deferred sales charge) (4)                                           $        
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                           <C>                                                                            
CUSIP Number                                                                                                                 
First Settlement Date                                    , 1996                                                              
Mandatory Termination Date                                                                                                   
Discretionary Liquidation Amount              The Trust may be terminated if the value thereof is less than the lower of     
                                              $2,000,000 or 20% of the total value of Equity Securities deposited in the     
                                              Trust during the primary offering period.                                      
Trustee's Annual Fee                          $    per Unit outstanding.                                                     
Evaluator's Annual Fee                        $    per Unit outstanding, payable to an affiliate of the Sponsor.             
                                              Evaluations for purposes of sale, purchase or redemption of Units are made as  
                                              of the close of trading (4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock         
                                              Exchange on each day on which it is open.                                      
Supervisory Fee (5)                           Maximum of $    per Unit outstanding annually payable to an affiliate of the   
                                              Sponsor.                                                                       
Estimated Annual Organizational                                                                                              
    and Offering Costs (6)                    $    per Unit.                                                                 
Income Distribution Record Date               Fifteenth day of each June and December commencing                , 1996.      
Income Distribution Date (7)                  Last day of each June and December commencing            , 1996.               
</TABLE>

[FN]
______________

(1) As of the close of business on the Initial Date of Deposit, the
number of Units of the Trust may be adjusted so that the Public Offering
Price per Unit will equal approximately $10.00. Therefore, to the extent
of any such adjustment, the fractional undivided interest per Unit will
increase or decrease accordingly, from the amounts indicated above.

(2) Each Equity Security listed on a national securities exchange or the
NASDAQ National Market System is valued at the last closing sale price,
or if no such price exists or if the Equity Security is not so listed,
at the closing ask price thereof.

(3) The maximum sales charge consists of an initial sales charge and a
deferred sales charge. The initial sales charge applies to all Units and
represents an amount equal to the difference between the maximum sales
charge for the Trust of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price and the amount
of the maximum remaining deferred sales charge (initially $0.20 per
Unit). Subsequent to the initial date of deposit, the amount of the
initial sales charge will vary with changes in the aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities underlying the Trust. In addition to the
initial sales charge, Unit holders will pay a deferred sales charge of
$0.02 per Unit per month commencing                , 1996 and on the
last business day of each month thereafter through                  ,
1997. During the initial offering period, Units purchased subsequent to
the initial deferred sales charge payment will be subject to the initial
sales charge and the remaining deferred sales charge payments not yet
collected. These deferred sales charge payments will be paid from funds
in the Income and/or Capital Accounts, if sufficient, or from the
periodic sale of Equity Securities. See "Fee Table" and "Public
Offering" for additional information. Commencing on March 1, 1997, the
secondary market sales charge will not include the deferred sales charge
payments but will instead include only a one-time initial sales charge
of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price and will decrease by 1/2 of 1% on
each subsequent     , commencing               , 1997 to a minimum sales
charge of 3.0% as described under "Public Offering." On the Initial Date
of Deposit there will be no accumulated dividends in the Income Account.
Anyone ordering Units after such date will pay a pro rata share of any
accumulated dividends in such Income Account. The Public Offering Price
as shown reflects the value of the Equity Securities at the opening of
business on the Initial Date of Deposit and establishes the original
proportionate relationship amongst the individual securities. No sales
to investors will be executed at this price. Additional Equity
Securities will be deposited during the day of the Initial Date of
Deposit which will be valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and sold to
investors at a Public Offering Price per Unit based on this valuation.

(4) See "How May Units be Redeemed?"

(5) In addition, the Sponsor will be reimbursed for bookkeeping and other
administrative expenses currently at a maximum annual rate of $    per
Unit.

(6) The Trust (and therefore Unit holders) will bear all or a portion of
its organizational and offering costs (including costs of preparing the
registration statement, the trust indenture and other closing documents,
registering Units with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
states, the initial audit of the Trust portfolio, legal fees and the
initial fees and expenses of the Trustee but not including the expenses
incurred in the printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, and
expenses incurred in the preparation and printing of brochures and other
advertising materials and any other selling expenses) as is common for
mutual funds. Total organizational and offering expenses will be charged
off over a period not to exceed five years from the Initial Date of
Deposit. See "What are the Expenses and Charges?" and "Statement of Net
Assets." Historically, the sponsors of unit investment trusts have paid
all the costs of establishing such trusts.

(7) Distributions from the Capital Account will be made monthly payable
on the last day of the month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth
day of such month if the amount available for distribution equals at
least $1.00 per 100 Units. Notwithstanding, distributions of funds in
the Capital Account, if any, will be made in December of each year.

Page 4                                                                   

                                FEE TABLE

This Fee Table is intended to help you to understand the costs and
expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. See "Public
Offering" and "What are the Expenses and Charges?" Although the Trust
has a term of five years and is a unit investment trust rather than a
mutual fund, this information is presented to permit a comparison of fees.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           Amount  
                                                                                                           per Unit
                                                                                                           ________
<S>                                                                                      <C>               <C>
Unit holder Transaction Expenses                                                                            
Initial sales charge imposed on purchase                                                                    
  (as a percentage of offering price)                                                    %(a)              $
Deferred sales charge                                                                                                        
  (as a percentage of original purchase price)                                           %(b) 
                                                                                         ________          ________
                                                                                         %                 $
                                                                                         ========          ========
                                                                                                                             
Estimated Annual Fund Operating Expenses     
     (as a percentage of average net assets) 
Trustee's fee                                                                            %                 $
Portfolio supervision, bookkeeping, administrative, 
  organizational and offering expenses, and evaluation fees                              %                  
Other operating expenses                                                                 %                  
                                                                                         ________          ________
  Total                                                                                  %                 $
                                                                                         ========          ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Example
                                                _______
                                                                                  Cumulative Expenses Paid for Period:        
                                                                                  ____________________________________
                                                                           1 Year           3 Years          5 Years          
                                                                           ______           _______          _______          
<S>                                                                        <C>              <C>              <C>              
An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, 
assuming the Oil Field Services Growth Trust, Series 1 has an estimated
operating expense ratio of      % and a      % annual return on the    
investment throughout the periods                                          $                $                $                
</TABLE>

The example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and
utilizes a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by Securities and
Exchange Commission regulations applicable to mutual funds. For purposes
of the example, the deferred sales charge imposed on reinvestment of
dividends is not reflected until the year following payment of the
dividend; the cumulative expenses would be higher if sales charges on
reinvested dividends were reflected in the year of reinvestment. The
example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or annual rate of return; the actual expenses and annual rate
of return may be more or less than those assumed for purposes of the
example.

[FN]
_______________

(a) The Initial Sales Charge is actually the difference between the
maximum total sales charge of 4.5% and the maximum remaining deferred
sales charge (initially $0.20 per Unit) and would exceed 2.5% if the
Public Offering Price exceeds $10.00 per Unit.

(b) The actual fee is $0.02 per month per Unit, irrespective of purchase
or redemption price, deducted monthly commencing                , 1996
through                  , 1997. If a Unit holder sells or redeems Units
before all of these deductions have been made, the balance of the
deferred sales charge payments remaining will be deducted from the sales
or redemption proceeds. If the Unit price exceeds $10.00 per Unit, the
deferred sales charge will be less than 2.0%. Units purchased subsequent
to the initial deferred sales charge payment will also be subject to the
remaining deferred sales charge payments.

Page 5                                                                   

                OIL FIELD SERVICES GROWTH TRUST, SERIES 1

          The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 165

What is The First Trust Special Situations Trust?

The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 165 is one of a series
of investment companies created by the Sponsor under the name of The
First Trust Special Situations Trust, all of which are generally
similar, but each of which is separate and is designated by a different
series number (the "Trust"). This Series consists of an underlying
separate unit investment trust designated as: Oil Field Services Growth
Trust, Series 1. The Trust was created under the laws of the State of
New York pursuant to a Trust Agreement (the "Indenture"), dated the
Initial Date of Deposit, with Nike Securities L.P. as Sponsor, The Chase
Manhattan Bank as Trustee, and First Trust Advisors L.P. as Portfolio
Supervisor and Evaluator.

On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor deposited with the Trustee
confirmations of contracts for the purchase of common stocks together
with an irrevocable letter or letters of credit of a financial
institution in an amount at least equal to the purchase price of such
securities. In exchange for the deposit of securities or contracts to
purchase securities in the Trust, the Trustee delivered to the Sponsor
documents evidencing the entire ownership of the Trust.

The objective of the Oil Field Services Growth Trust is to provide for
capital appreciation potential by investing in common stocks issued
primarily by companies involved in the oil and gas industry, which the
Sponsor believes are those best positioned to take advantage of the
technological advancements in exploration and production. See "Schedule
of Investments" for Oil Field Services Growth Trust, Series 1. The
worldwide demand for energy will continue to increase, driven primarily
by rapid development in newly industrialized countries in Asia, Eastern
Europe and Latin America. Currently, rising demand is being met by
adequate supply from energy producers. However, energy prices may rise
by decade's end, as steadily higher global demand for energy outstrips
energy supplies. Industry overcapacity and declining energy prices in
the 1980s forced energy companies to become more competitive under
difficult conditions. Energy companies have greatly improved their
operating efficiencies through cost cutting, consolidation and new
technologies. Cost cutting has occurred through sizable work force
reductions and the use of technology to lower overhead and production
costs. Consolidation and the divestiture of non-core assets has reduced
industry capacity and allowed companies to focus on their core
operations. New technologies, such as 3-D seismic and reservoir
characterization, are expected to continue to lead to the discovery of
additional energy reserves and lower the cost of developing these
reserves. As a result of these activities, exploration and production
companies are attaining greater productivity and earnings, while
investing smaller amounts of capital. This trend has, in turn, led to
greater revenues and earnings for oilfield service companies. Given
these measures, energy companies are positioned for significantly
improved profitability, if and when energy prices increase.

With the deposit of the Equity Securities on the Initial Date of
Deposit, the Sponsor established a percentage relationship between the
amounts of Equity Securities in the Trust's portfolio. From time to time
following the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor, pursuant to the
Indenture, may deposit additional Equity Securities in the Trust, or
cash with instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in the
Trust, and Units may be continuously offered for sale to the public by
means of this Prospectus, resulting in a potential increase in the
outstanding number of Units of the Trust. Any deposit by the Sponsor of
additional Equity Securities, or the purchase of additional Equity
Securities pursuant to a cash deposit, will duplicate, as nearly as is
practicable, the original proportionate relationship and not the actual
proportionate relationship on the subsequent date of deposit, since the
two may differ. Any such difference may be due to the sale, redemption
or liquidation of any of the Equity Securities deposited in the Trust on
the Initial, or any subsequent, Date of Deposit. See "How May Equity
Securities be Removed from the Trust?" The original percentage
relationship of each Equity Security to the Trust is set forth herein
under "Schedule of Investments." Since the prices of the underlying
Equity Securities will fluctuate daily, the ratio, on a market value
basis, will also change daily. The portion of Equity Securities
represented by each Unit will not change as a result of the deposit of

Page 6                                                                   

additional Equity Securities in the Trust. If the Sponsor deposits cash,
however, existing and new investors may experience a dilution of their
investment and a reduction in their anticipated income because of
fluctuations in the prices of the Equity Securities between the time of
the cash deposit and the purchase of the Equity Securities and because
the Trust will pay the associated brokerage fees. To minimize this
effect, the Trust will try to purchase the Equity Securities as close to
the evaluation time or as close to the evaluation price as possible.

On the Initial Date of Deposit, each Unit of the Trust represented the
undivided fractional interest in the Equity Securities deposited in the
Trust set forth under "Summary of Essential Information." To the extent
that Units of the Trust are redeemed, the aggregate value of the Equity
Securities in the Trust will be reduced and the undivided fractional
interest represented by each outstanding Unit of the Trust will
increase. However, if additional Units are issued by the Trust in
connection with the deposit of additional Equity Securities or cash by
the Sponsor, the aggregate value of the Equity Securities in the Trust
will be increased by amounts allocable to additional Units, and the
fractional undivided interest represented by each Unit of the Trust will
be decreased proportionately. See "How May Units be Redeemed?" 

What are the Expenses and Charges?

With the exception of bookkeeping and other administrative services
provided to the Trust for which the Sponsor will be reimbursed in
amounts set forth under "Summary of Essential Information," the Sponsor
will not receive any fees in connection with its activities relating to
the Trust. Such bookkeeping and administrative charges may be increased
without approval of the Unit holders by amounts not exceeding
proportionate increases under the category "All Services Less Rent of
Shelter" in the Consumer Price Index published by the United States
Department of Labor. The fees payable to the Sponsor for such services
may exceed the actual costs of providing such services for this Trust,
but at no time will the total amount received for such services rendered
to all unit investment trusts of which Nike Securities L.P. is the
Sponsor in any calendar year exceed the aggregate cost to the Sponsor of
supplying such services in such year. First Trust Advisors L.P., an
affiliate of the Sponsor, will receive an annual supervisory fee, which
is not to exceed the amount set forth under "Summary of Essential
Information," for providing portfolio supervisory services for the
Trust. Such fee is based on the number of Units outstanding in the Trust
on January 1 of each year except for the year or years in which an
initial offering period occurs in which case the fee for a month is
based on the number of Units outstanding at the end of such month. The
fee may exceed the actual costs of providing such supervisory services
for this Trust, but at no time will the total amount received for
portfolio supervisory services rendered to all unit investment trusts of
which Nike Securities L.P. is the Sponsor in any calendar year exceed
the aggregate cost to First Trust Advisors L.P. of supplying such
services in such year. In providing such supervisory services, the
portfolio Supervisor may purchase research services from a variety of
sources which may include underwriters or dealers of the Trust.

Subsequent to the initial offering period, the Evaluator, an affiliate
of the Sponsor, will receive a fee as indicated in the "Summary of
Essential Information." The fee may exceed the actual costs of providing
such evaluation services for the Trust, but at no time will the total
amount received for evaluation services rendered in any calendar year to
all unit investment trusts of which Nike Securities L.P. is the Sponsor
exceed the aggregate cost to First Trust Advisors L.P. of supplying such
services in such year. The Trustee pays certain expenses of the Trust
for which it is reimbursed by the Trust. The Trustee will receive for
its ordinary recurring services to the Trust an annual fee as set forth
in the "Summary of Essential Information." Such fee will be based upon
the largest aggregate number of Units of the Trust outstanding at any
time during the year. For a discussion of the services performed by the
Trustee pursuant to its obligations under the Indenture, reference is
made to the material set forth under "Rights of Unit Holders."

The Trustee's and Evaluator's fees are payable from the Income Account
of the Trust to the extent funds are available and then from the Capital
Account of the Trust. Since the Trustee has the use of the funds being
held in the Capital and Income Accounts for payment of expenses and
redemptions and since such Accounts are noninterest-bearing to Unit
holders, the Trustee benefits thereby. Part of the Trustee's
compensation for its services to the Trust is expected to result from
the use of these funds. However, the Trustee may bear from its own
resources certain expenses relating to the Trust, including a portion of
the Trust's organization and offering costs and brokerage commissions

Page 7                                                                   

which are not borne directly by the Trust. The Trustee's and Evaluator's
fees may be increased without approval of the Unit holders by amounts
not exceeding proportionate increases under the category "All Services
Less Rent of Shelter" in the Consumer Price Index published by the
United States Department of Labor.

Expenses incurred in establishing the Trust, including costs of
preparing the registration statement, the trust indenture and other
closing documents, registering Units with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and states, the initial audit of the Trust portfolio and the
initial fees and expenses of the Trustee and any other out-of-pocket
expenses, will be paid by the Trust and charged off over a period not to
exceed five years from the Initial Date of Deposit. The following
additional charges are or may be incurred by the Trust: all legal and
annual auditing expenses of the Trustee incurred by or in connection
with its responsibilities under the Indenture; the expenses and costs of
any action undertaken by the Trustee to protect the Trust and the rights
and interests of the Unit holders; fees of the Trustee for any
extraordinary services performed under the Indenture; indemnification of
the Trustee for any loss, liability or expense incurred by it without
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, arising out of
or in connection with its acceptance or administration of the Trust;
indemnification of the Sponsor for any loss, liability or expense
incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in
acting as Depositor of the Trust; all taxes and other government charges
imposed upon the Securities or any part of the Trust (no such taxes or
charges are being levied or made or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor,
contemplated). The above expenses and the Trustee's annual fee, when
paid or owing to the Trustee, are secured by a lien on the Trust. In
addition, the Trustee is empowered to sell Equity Securities in the
Trust in order to make funds available to pay all these amounts if funds
are not otherwise available in the Income and Capital Accounts of the
Trust. Since the Equity Securities are all common stocks and the income
stream produced by dividend payments is unpredictable, the Sponsor
cannot provide any assurance that dividends will be sufficient to meet
any or all expenses of the Trust. As described above, if dividends are
insufficient to cover expenses, it is likely that Equity Securities will
have to be sold to meet Trust expenses. These sales may result in
capital gains or losses to Unit holders. See "What is the Federal Tax
Status of Unit Holders?"

The Indenture requires the Trust to be audited on an annual basis at the
expense of the Trust by independent auditors selected by the Sponsor. So
long as the Sponsor is making a secondary market for the Units, the
Sponsor is required to bear the cost of such annual audits to the extent
such cost exceeds $0.0050 per Unit. Unit holders of the Trust covered by
an audit may obtain a copy of the audited financial statements upon
request.

What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?

The following is a general discussion of certain of the Federal income
tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the
Units. The summary is limited to investors who hold the Units as
"capital assets" (generally, property held for investment) within the
meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
"Code"). Unit holders should consult their tax advisers in determining
the Federal, state, local and any other tax consequences of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of Units in the Trust. 

In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, special counsel for the Sponsor,
under existing law:

1.   The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for
Federal income tax purposes; each Unit holder will be treated as the
owner of a pro rata portion of each of the assets of the Trust under the
Code; and the income of the Trust will be treated as income of the Unit
holders thereof under the Code. Each Unit holder will be considered to
have received his pro rata share of the income derived from each Equity
Security when such income is considered to be received by the Trust.

2.   Each Unit holder will have a taxable event when the Trust disposes
of an Equity Security (whether by sale, exchange, liquidation,
redemption, or otherwise) or upon the sale or redemption of Units by
such Unit holder. The price a Unit holder pays for his Units is
allocated among his pro rata portion of each Equity Security held by the
Trust (in proportion to the fair market values thereof on the date the
Unit holder purchases his Units) in order to determine his tax basis for
his pro rata portion of each Equity Security held by the Trust. For

Page 8                                                                   

Federal income tax purposes, a Unit holder's pro rata portion of
dividends, as defined by Section 316 of the Code, paid by a corporation
with respect to an Equity Security held by the Trust is taxable as
ordinary income to the extent of such corporation's current and
accumulated "earnings and profits." A Unit holder's pro rata portion of
dividends paid on such Equity Security which exceed such current and
accumulated earnings and profits will first reduce a Unit holder's tax
basis in such Equity Security, and to the extent that such dividends
exceed a Unit holder's tax basis in such Equity Security shall generally
be treated as capital gain. In general, any such capital gain will be
short-term unless a Unit holder has held his Units for more than one year.

3.   A Unit holder's portion of gain, if any, upon the sale or
redemption of Units or the disposition of Equity Securities held by the
Trust will generally be considered a capital gain except in the case of
a dealer or a financial institution and will be long-term if the Unit
holder has held his Units for more than one year (the date on which the
Units are acquired (i.e., the trade date) is excluded for purposes of
determining whether the Units have been held for more than one year). A
Unit holder's portion of loss, if any, upon the sale or redemption of
Units or the disposition of Equity Securities held by the Trust will
generally be considered a capital loss (except in the case of a dealer
or a financial institution) and, in general, will be long-term if the
Unit holder has held his Units for more than one year. Unit holders
should consult their tax advisers regarding the recognition of such
capital gains and losses for Federal income tax purposes.

Dividends Received Deduction. A Unit holder will be considered to have
received all of the dividends paid on his pro rata portion of each
Equity Security when such dividends are received by the Trust.

A corporation that owns Units will generally be entitled to a 70%
dividends received deduction with respect to such Unit holder's pro rata
portion of dividends received by the Trust (to the extent such dividends
are taxable as ordinary income, as discussed above) in the same manner
as if such corporation directly owned the Equity Securities paying such
dividends (other than corporate Unit holders, such as "S" corporations,
which are not eligible for the deduction because of their special
characteristics and other than for purposes of special taxes such as the
accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding corporation tax).
However, a corporation owning Units should be aware that Sections 246
and 246A of the Code impose additional limitations on the eligibility of
dividends for the 70% dividends received deduction. These limitations
include a requirement that stock (and therefore Units) must generally be
held at least 46 days (as determined under Section 246(c) of the Code).
Final regulations have been recently issued which address special rules
that must be considered in determining whether the 46-day holding
requirement is met. Moreover, the allowable percentage of the deduction
will be reduced from 70% if a corporate Unit holder owns certain stock
(or Units) the financing of which is directly attributable to
indebtedness incurred by such corporation. 

It should be noted that various legislative proposals that would affect
the dividends received deduction have been introduced. Unit holders
should consult with their tax advisers with respect to the limitations
on and possible modifications to the dividends received deduction. 

Limitations on Deductibility of Trust Expenses by Unit holders. Each
Unit holder's pro rata share of each expense paid by the Trust is
deductible by the Unit holder to the same extent as though the expense
had been paid directly by such Unit holder. It should be noted that as a
result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, certain miscellaneous itemized
deductions, such as investment expenses, tax return preparation fees and
employee business expenses will be deductible by an individual only to
the extent they exceed 2% of such individual's adjusted gross income.
Unit holders may be required to treat some or all of the expenses of the
Trust as miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to this limitation.

Recognition of Taxable Gain or Loss Upon Disposition of Securities by
the Trust or Disposition of Units. As discussed above, a Unit holder may
recognize taxable gain (or loss) when an Equity Security is disposed of
by the Trust or if the Unit holder disposes of a Unit. For taxpayers
other than corporations, net capital gains are subject to a maximum
stated marginal tax rate of 28%. However, it should be noted that
legislative proposals are introduced from time to time that affect tax
rates and could affect relative differences at which ordinary income and
capital gains are taxed.

Page 9                                                                   

The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 (the "Tax Act") raised tax rates
on ordinary income while capital gains remain subject to a 28% maximum
stated rate for taxpayers other than corporations. Because some or all
capital gains are taxed at a comparatively lower rate under the Tax Act,
the Tax Act includes a provision that recharacterizes capital gains as
ordinary income in the case of certain financial transactions that are
"conversion transactions" effective for transactions entered into after
April 30, 1993. Unit holders and prospective investors should consult
with their tax advisers regarding the potential effect of this provision
on their investment in Units.

If the Unit holder disposes of a Unit, he is deemed thereby to have
disposed of his entire pro rata interest in all assets of the Trust
involved including his pro rata portion of all the Equity Securities
represented by the Unit.

Special Tax Consequences of In-Kind Distributions Upon Redemption of
Units or Termination of the Trust. As discussed in "Rights of Unit
Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?", under certain
circumstances a Unit holder who owns at least 2,500 Units may request an
In-Kind Distribution upon the redemption of Units or the termination of
the Trust. The Unit holder requesting an In-Kind Distribution will be
liable for expenses related thereto (the "Distribution Expenses") and
the amount of such In-Kind Distribution will be reduced by the amount of
the Distribution Expenses. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income
and Capital Distributed?" As previously discussed, prior to the
redemption of Units or the termination of the Trust, a Unit holder is
considered as owning a pro rata portion of each of the Trust assets for
Federal income tax purposes. The receipt of an In-Kind Distribution will
result in a Unit holder receiving an undivided interest in whole shares
of stock plus, possibly, cash. 

The potential tax consequences that may occur under an In-Kind
Distribution will depend on whether or not a Unit holder receives cash
in addition to Equity Securities. An "Equity Security" for this purpose
is a particular class of stock issued by a particular corporation. A
Unit holder will not recognize gain or loss if a Unit holder only
receives Equity Securities in exchange for his or her pro rata portion
in the Equity Securities held by the Trust. However, if a Unit holder
also receives cash in exchange for a fractional share of an Equity
Security held by the Trust, such Unit holder will generally recognize
gain or loss based upon the difference between the amount of cash
received by the Unit holder and his tax basis in such fractional share
of an Equity Security held by the Trust. 

Because the Trust will own many Equity Securities, a Unit holder who
requests an In-Kind Distribution will have to analyze the tax
consequences with respect to each Equity Security owned by the Trust.
The amount of taxable gain (or loss) recognized upon such exchange will
generally equal the sum of the gain (or loss) recognized under the rules
described above by such Unit holder with respect to each Equity Security
owned by the Trust. Unit holders who request an In-Kind Distribution are
advised to consult their tax advisers in this regard.

Computation of the Unit holder's Tax Basis. Initially, a Unit holder's
tax basis in his Units will generally equal the price paid by such Unit
holder for his Units. The cost of the Units is allocated among the
Equity Securities held in the Trust in accordance with the proportion of
the fair market values of such Equity Securities as of the valuation
date nearest the date the Units are purchased in order to determine such
Unit holder's tax basis for his pro rata portion of each Equity Security.

A Unit holder's tax basis in his Units and his pro rata portion of an
Equity Security held by the Trust will be reduced to the extent
dividends paid with respect to such Equity Security are received by the
Trust which are not taxable as ordinary income as described above.

General. Each Unit holder will be requested to provide the Unit holder's
taxpayer identification number to the Trustee and to certify that the
Unit holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that
payments to the Unit holder are subject to back-up withholding. If the
proper taxpayer identification number and appropriate certification are
not provided when requested, distributions by the Trust to such Unit
holder (including amounts received upon the redemption of Units) will be
subject to back-up withholding. Distributions by the Trust will
generally be subject to United States income taxation and withholding in
the case of Units held by non-resident alien individuals, foreign
corporations or other non-United States persons. Such persons should
consult their tax advisers. 

Unit holders will be notified annually of the amounts of income
dividends includable in the Unit holder's gross income and amounts of

Page 10                                                                   

Trust expenses which may be claimed as itemized deductions.

Unit holders desiring to purchase Units for tax-deferred plans and IRAs
should consult their broker for details on establishing such accounts.
Units may also be purchased by persons who already have self-directed
plans established. See "Why are Investments in the Trust Suitable for
Retirement Plans?"

The foregoing discussion relates only to United States Federal income
taxation of Unit holders; Unit holders may be subject to state and local
taxation in other jurisdictions. Unit holders should consult their tax
advisers regarding potential state or local taxation with respect to the
Units, and foreign investors should consult their tax advisers with
respect to United States tax consequences of ownership of Units.

In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, Special Counsel to the
Trust for New York tax matters, under the existing income tax laws of
the State of New York, the Trust is not an association taxable as a
corporation and the income of the Trust will be treated as the income of
the Unit holders thereof.

Why are Investments in the Trust Suitable for Retirement Plans?

Units of the Trust may be well suited for purchase by Individual
Retirement Accounts, Keogh Plans, pension funds and other tax-deferred
retirement plans. Generally, the Federal income tax relating to capital
gains and income received in each of the foregoing plans is deferred
until distributions are received. Distributions from such plans are
generally treated as ordinary income but may, in some cases, be eligible
for special averaging or tax-deferred rollover treatment. Investors
considering participation in any such plan should review specific tax
laws related thereto and should consult their attorneys or tax advisers
with respect to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan. Such
plans are offered by brokerage firms and other financial institutions.
Fees and charges with respect to such plans may vary.

                                PORTFOLIO

What are Equity Securities?

The Trust consists of different issues of Equity Securities which are
listed on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ National Market
System or traded in the over-the-counter market. See "What are the
Equity Securities Selected for Oil Field Services Growth Trust, Series
1?" for a general description of the companies. 

Risk Factors. An investment in Units of the Trust should be made with an
understanding of the problems and risks such an investment may entail.

The Oil Field Services Growth Trust, Series 1 invests in Equity
Securities of companies involved in the energy industry, including the
conventional areas of oil, gas, electricity and coal, and newer sources
of energy such as nuclear, geothermal, oil shale and solar power. The
business activities of companies held in the Trust may include:
production, generation, transmission, marketing, control, or measurement
of energy or energy fuels; providing component parts or services to
companies engaged in the above activities; energy research or
experimentation; and environmental activities related to the solution of
energy problems, such as energy conservation and pollution control.
Companies participating in new activities resulting from technological
advances or research discoveries in the energy field were also
considered for this Trust.

The securities of companies in the energy field are subject to changes
in value and dividend yield which depend, to a large extent, on the
price and supply of energy fuels. Swift price and supply fluctuations
may be caused by events relating to international politics, energy
conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other
regulatory policies of various governments. As a result of the
foregoing, the Equity Securities in the Trust may be subject to rapid
price volatility. The Sponsor is unable to predict what impact the
foregoing factors will have on the Equity Securities during the life of
the Trust.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the factors which will
most likely shape the energy industry include the price and availability
of oil from the Middle East, changes in United States environmental
policies and the continued decline in U.S. production of crude oil.
Possible effects of these factors may be increased U.S. and world
dependence on oil from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
("OPEC") and highly uncertain and potentially more volatile oil prices.
Factors which the Sponsor believes may increase the profitability of oil
and petroleum operations include increasing demand for oil and petroleum
products as a result of the continued increases in annual miles driven
and the improvement in refinery operating margins caused by increases in

Page 11                                                                   

average domestic refinery utilization rates. The existence of surplus
crude oil production capacity and the willingness to adjust production
levels are the two principal requirements for stable crude oil markets.
Without excess capacity, supply disruptions in some countries cannot be
compensated for by others. Surplus capacity in Saudi Arabia and a few
other countries and the utilization of that capacity prevented, during
the Persian Gulf crisis, and continues to prevent, severe market
disruption. Although unused capacity contributed to market stability in
1990 and 1991, it ordinarily creates pressure to overproduce and
contributes to market uncertainty. The likely restoration of a large
portion of Kuwait and Iraq's production and export capacity over the
next few years could lead to such a development in the absence of
substantial growth in world oil demand. Formerly, OPEC members attempted
to exercise control over production levels in each country through a
system of mandatory production quotas. Because of the crisis in the
Middle East, the mandatory system has since been replaced with a
voluntary system. Production under the new system has had to be
curtailed on at least one occasion as a result of weak prices, even in
the absence of supplies from Kuwait and Iraq. The pressure to deviate
from mandatory quotas, if they are reimposed, is likely to be
substantial and could lead to a weakening of prices. In the longer term,
additional capacity and production will be required to accommodate the
expected large increases in world oil demand and to compensate for
expected sharp drops in U.S. crude oil production and exports from the
Soviet Union. Only a few OPEC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, have
the petroleum reserves that will allow the required increase in
production capacity to be attained. Given the large-scale financing that
is required, the prospect that such expansion will occur soon enough to
meet the increased demand is uncertain.

Declining U.S. crude oil production will likely lead to increased
dependence on OPEC oil, putting refiners at risk of continued and
unpredictable supply disruptions. Increasing sensitivity to
environmental concerns will also pose serious challenges to the industry
over the coming decade. Refiners are likely to be required to make heavy
capital investments and make major production adjustments in order to
comply with increasingly stringent environmental legislation, such as
the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act. If the cost of these changes
is substantial enough to cut deeply into profits, smaller refiners may
be forced out of the industry entirely. Moreover, lower consumer demand
due to increases in energy efficiency and conservation, gasoline
reformulations that call for less crude oil, warmer winters or a general
slowdown in economic growth in this country and abroad could negatively
affect the price of oil and the profitability of oil companies. No
assurance can be given that the demand for or prices of oil will
increase or that any increases will not be marked by great volatility.
Some oil companies may incur large cleanup and litigation costs relating
to oil spills and other environmental damage. Oil production and
refining operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local
environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions and the
disposal of hazardous materials. Increasingly stringent environmental
laws and regulations are expected to require companies with oil
production and refining operations to devote significant financial and
managerial resources to pollution control. General problems of the oil
and petroleum products industry include the ability of a few influential
producers to significantly affect production, the concomitant volatility
of crude oil prices, increasing public and governmental concern over air
emissions, waste product disposal, fuel quality and the environmental
effects of fossil-fuel use in general.

The problems faced by companies engaged in the exploration, drilling,
production, refining, transmission, marketing or distribution of natural
gas include many of those faced by petroleum companies discussed above,
and, in addition, rising costs of rail transportation to transport
fossil fuels, availability and costs of natural gas for resale and
difficulties of gas pipeline and distribution companies in adjusting to
short and surplus energy supplies, enforcing or being required to comply
with long-term contracts and avoiding litigation from their customers
and suppliers. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of
these problems in varying degrees.

In addition, any future scientific advances concerning new sources of
energy and fuels or legislative changes relating to the energy industry
or the environment could have a negative impact on the petroleum
products industry. While legislation has been enacted to deregulate
certain aspects of the oil industry, no assurances can be given that new
or additional regulations will not be adopted. Each of the problems
referred to could adversely affect the financial stability of the
issuers of any petroleum industry stocks in the Trust.

Page 12                                                                   

Certain of the Equity Securities in the Trust are of foreign issuers,
and therefore, an investment in the Trust involves some investment risks
that are different in some respects from an investment in a trust that
invests entirely in securities of domestic issuers. Those investment
risks include future political and governmental restrictions which might
adversely affect the payment or receipt of payment of dividends on the
relevant Equity Securities, currency exchange rate fluctuations,
exchange control policies, and the limited liquidity and small market
capitalization of such foreign countries' securities markets. In
addition, for foreign issuers that are not subject to the reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, there may be less
publicly available information than is available from a domestic issuer.
Also, foreign issuers are not necessarily subject to uniform accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements
comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. However, due to the
nature of the issuers of the Equity Securities included in the Trust,
the Sponsor believes that adequate information will be available to
allow the Portfolio Supervisor to provide portfolio surveillance.

Certain of the securities of the foreign issuers in the Trust are in ADR
form. ADRs evidence American Depositary Receipts which represent common
stock deposited with a custodian in a depositary. American Depositary
Shares, and receipts therefor (ADRs), are issued by an American bank or
trust company to evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a
foreign corporation. These instruments may not necessarily be
denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may
be converted. For purposes of the discussion herein, the term ADR
generally includes American Depositary Shares. 

ADRs may be sponsored or unsponsored. In an unsponsored facility, the
depositary initiates and arranges the facility at the request of market
makers and acts as agent for the ADR holder, while the company itself is
not involved in the transaction. In a sponsored facility, the issuing
company initiates the facility and agrees to pay certain administrative
and shareholder-related expenses. Sponsored facilities use a single
depositary and entail a contractual relationship between the issuer, the
shareholder and the depositary; unsponsored facilities involve several
depositaries with no contractual relationship to the company. The
depositary bank that issues an ADR generally charges a fee, based on the
price of the ADR, upon issuance and cancellation of the ADR. This fee
would be in addition to the brokerage commissions paid upon the
acquisition or surrender of the security. In addition, the depositary
bank incurs expenses in connection with the conversion of dividends or
other cash distributions paid in local currency into U.S. dollars and
such expenses are deducted from the amount of the dividend or
distribution paid to holders, resulting in a lower payout per underlying
shares represented by the ADR than would be the case if the underlying
share were held directly. Certain tax considerations, including tax rate
differentials and withholding requirements, arising from applications of
the tax laws of one nation to nationals of another and from certain
practices in the ADR market may also exist with respect to certain ADRs.
In varying degrees, any or all of these factors may affect the value of
the ADR compared with the value of the underlying shares in the local
market. In addition, the rights of holders of ADRs may be different than
those of holders of the underlying shares, and the market for ADRs may
be less liquid than that for the underlying shares. ADRs are registered
securities pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and may be subject to
the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the Equity Securities that are ADRs, currency fluctuations will
affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the local currency price of the
underlying domestic share and, as a result, are likely to affect the
value of the ADRs and consequently the value of the Equity Securities.
The foreign issuers of securities that are ADRs may pay dividends in
foreign currencies which must be converted into dollars. Most foreign
currencies have fluctuated widely in value against the United States
dollar for many reasons, including supply and demand of the respective
currency, the soundness of the world economy and the strength of the
respective economy as compared to the economies of the United States and
other countries. Therefore, for any securities of issuers (whether or
not they are in ADR form) whose earnings are stated in foreign
currencies, or which pay dividends in foreign currencies or which are
traded in foreign currencies, there is a risk that their United States
dollar value will vary with fluctuations in the United States dollar
foreign exchange rates for the relevant currencies.

The Trust consists of such of the Equity Securities listed under
"Schedule of Investments" as may continue to be held from time to time
in the Trust and any additional Equity Securities acquired and held by

Page 13                                                                   

the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Agreement, together
with cash held in the Income and Capital Accounts. Neither the Sponsor
nor the Trustee shall be liable in any way for any failure in any of the
Equity Securities. However, should any contract for the purchase of any
of the Equity Securities initially deposited hereunder fail, the Sponsor
will, unless substantially all of the moneys held in the Trust to cover
such purchase are reinvested in substitute Equity Securities in
accordance with the Trust Agreement, refund the cash and sales charge
attributable to such failed contract to all Unit holders on the next
distribution date. 

Because certain of the Equity Securities from time to time may be sold
under certain circumstances described herein, and because the proceeds
from such events will be distributed to Unit holders and will not be
reinvested, no assurance can be given that the Trust will retain for any
length of time its present size and composition. Although the Portfolio
is not managed, the Sponsor may instruct the Trustee to sell Equity
Securities under certain limited circumstances. Pursuant to the
Indenture and with limited exceptions, the Trustee may sell any
securities or other property acquired in exchange for Equity Securities
such as those acquired in connection with a merger or other transaction.
If offered such new or exchanged securities or property, the Trustee
shall reject the offer. However, in the event such securities or
property are nonetheless acquired by the Trust, they may be accepted for
deposit in the Trust and either sold by the Trustee or held in the Trust
pursuant to the direction of the Sponsor (who may rely on the advice of
the Portfolio Supervisor). See "How May Equity Securities be Removed
from the Trust?" Equity Securities, however, will not be sold by the
Trust to take advantage of market fluctuations or changes in anticipated
rates of appreciation or depreciation.

Whether or not the Equity Securities are listed on a national securities
exchange, the principal trading market for the Equity Securities may be
in the over-the-counter market. As a result, the existence of a liquid
trading market for the Equity Securities may depend on whether dealers
will make a market in the Equity Securities. There can be no assurance
that a market will be made for any of the Equity Securities, that any
market for the Equity Securities will be maintained or of the liquidity
of the Equity Securities in any markets made. In addition, the Trust may
be restricted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 from selling
Equity Securities to the Sponsor. The price at which the Equity
Securities may be sold to meet redemptions and the value of the Trust
will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Equity Securities
are limited or absent.

An investment in Units should be made with an understanding of the risks
which an investment in common stocks entails, including the risk that
the financial condition of the issuers of the Equity Securities or the
general condition of the common stock market may worsen and the value of
the Equity Securities and therefore the value of the Units may decline.
The past market and earnings performance of the Equity Securities in the
Trust is not predictive of their future performance. Common stocks are
especially susceptible to general stock market movements and to volatile
increases and decreases of value as market confidence in and perceptions
of the issuers change. These perceptions are based on unpredictable
factors including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary
and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or
contraction, and global or regional political, economic or banking
crises. Shareholders of common stocks have rights to receive payments
from the issuers of those common stocks that are generally subordinate
to those of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred
stocks of, such issuers. Shareholders of common stocks of the type held
by the Trust have a right to receive dividends only when and if, and in
the amounts, declared by the issuer's board of directors and have a
right to participate in amounts available for distribution by the issuer
only after all other claims on the issuer have been paid or provided
for. Common stocks do not represent an obligation of the issuer and,
therefore, do not offer any assurance of income or provide the same
degree of protection of capital as do debt securities. The issuance of
additional debt securities or preferred stock will create prior claims
for payment of principal, interest and dividends which could adversely
affect the ability and inclination of the issuer to declare or pay
dividends on its common stock or the rights of holders of common stock
with respect to assets of the issuer upon liquidation or bankruptcy. The
value of common stocks is subject to market fluctuations for as long as
the common stocks remain outstanding, and thus the value of the Equity
Securities in the Portfolio may be expected to fluctuate over the life
of the Trust to values higher or lower than those prevailing on the
Initial Date of Deposit. 

Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred
stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of

Page 14                                                                   

the entity, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the
issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt
obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Cumulative
preferred stock dividends must be paid before common stock dividends and
any cumulative preferred stock dividend omitted is added to future
dividends payable to the holders of cumulative preferred stock.
Preferred stockholders are also generally entitled to rights on
liquidation which are senior to those of common stockholders.

Unit holders will be unable to dispose of any of the Equity Securities
in the Portfolio, as such, and will not be able to vote the Equity
Securities. As the holder of the Equity Securities, the Trustee will
have the right to vote all of the voting stocks in the Trust and will
vote such stocks in accordance with the instructions of the Sponsor. 

What are the Equity Securities Selected for Oil Field Services Growth
Trust, Series 1?

3-D Geophysical, Inc., headquartered in Englewood, Colorado,
was formed to facilitate a consolidation of seismic data acquisition
businesses and is one of the largest land-based seismic acquisition
service providers in the United States.

American Oilfield Divers, Inc., headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana,
is a leading provider of diving services, subsea products, marine
construction and environmental services to the offshore oil and gas
industry, primarily in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, U.S. West Coast,
internationally and to certain U.S. inland customers.

BJ Services Company, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a leading
provider of pressure pumping and related services to the petroleum
industry.

Baker Hughes, Inc. is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Through its
companies, Baker Hughes provides products and services for the drilling,
completion and production of oil and gas wells. Its process equipment
operations manufacture and market specialty equipment for a variety of
process applications.

Digicon, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a provider of
geophysical services presently operating seismic survey ships, land data
acquisition crews and geophysical data processing centers in North
America, South America, Europe and the Asian Pacific.

ENSCO International, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a leading
provider of contract drilling and marine transportation services to the
international petroleum industry.

Falcon Drilling Company, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, operates
the world's largest fleet of marine-based drilling rigs for the
international oil and gas industry. Its rig fleet includes three
dynamically-positioned drillships, 15 jackup rigs, three submersible
rigs and 54 barge drilling and workover rigs. Falcon actively markets 61
drilling units in the offshore and inland waters of the U.S. Gulf Coast,
Venezuela, Brazil, West Africa and Australia.

Halliburton Company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is one of the
world's largest diversified energy services, engineering, maintenance
and construction companies.

Input/Output, Inc., headquartered in Stafford, Texas, has designed,
manufactured and marketed seismic instruments worldwide for 28 years.

Key Energy Group, Inc., of New Brunswick, New Jersey, is a diversified
energy company involved in well servicing operations in Oklahoma, Texas,
Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Argentina, as well as drilling
and production of crude oil and natural gas in the Permian Basin of West
Texas.

Marine Drilling Company, Inc., headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, now
owns and operates 14 jack-up drilling rigs located in the U.S. Gulf of
Mexico, offshore India and the Middle East.

Patterson Energy, Inc. is a Snyder, Texas-based energy company engaged
in contract drilling and the exploration, development and production of
oil and natural gas. As a result of the merger with Tucker Drilling
Company, Inc., Patterson owns 40 fully equipped land-based drilling rigs
in West, South and North Texas and owns oil and gas properties in the
same areas.

Reading & Bates Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas, provides
offshore drilling services throughout the world. Its wholly owned
subsidiary, Reading & Bates Development Co., provides technical,
construction and project management services and floating production
systems to the upstream offshore oil and gas industry worldwide.

Schlumberger, Ltd., headquartered in New York, New York, offers services
to the petroleum industry. The company provides drilling, oil well

Page 15                                                                  

logging and measurement-while-drilling services. Schlumberger also
manufactures computer-aided design systems, electricity and gas meters,
power transmission equipment and electronic payment systems.

Tidewater, Inc., of New Orleans, Louisiana, owns and operates the
world's largest fleet of vessels serving the international offshore
energy industry and owns and operates one of the largest rental fleets
of natural gas compressors in the United States.

Tuboscope Vetco International, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is
the world's leading supplier of oilfield tubular coating and inspection
services, coiled tubing equipment used in oilfield production and
drilling operations, as well as solids control services and equipment
used in oilfield drilling operations.

Weatherford Enterra, Inc. is a Houston, Texas-based diversified
international energy service and manufacturing company that provides
products and services around the world to the oil and gas exploration,
production and transmission industries.

Western Atlas, Inc., headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, is a
leading global supplier of oilfield information services and industrial
automation systems.

What are Some Additional Considerations for Investors?

Investors should be aware of certain other considerations before making
a decision to invest in the Trust.

The value of the Equity Securities will fluctuate over the life of the
Trust and may be more or less than the price at which they were
deposited in the Trust. The Equity Securities may appreciate or
depreciate in value (or pay dividends), depending on the full range of
economic and market influences affecting these securities. 

The Sponsor and the Trustee shall not be liable in any way for any
default, failure or defect in any Security. In the event of a notice
that any Equity Security will not be delivered ("Failed Contract
Obligations") to the Trust, the Sponsor is authorized under the
Indenture to direct the Trustee to acquire other Equity Securities
("Replacement Securities"). Any Replacement Security will be identical
to those which were the subject of the failed contract. The Replacement
Securities must be purchased within 20 days after delivery of the notice
of a failed contract, and the purchase price may not exceed the amount
of funds reserved for the purchase of the Failed Contract Obligations.

If the right of limited substitution described in the preceding
paragraphs is not utilized to acquire Replacement Securities in the
event of a failed contract, the Sponsor will refund the sales charge
attributable to such Failed Contract Obligations to all Unit holders of
the Trust and the Trustee will distribute the principal attributable to
such Failed Contract Obligations not more than 120 days after the date
on which the Trustee received a notice from the Sponsor that a
Replacement Security would not be deposited in the Trust. In addition,
Unit holders should be aware that at the time of receipt of such
principal, they may not be able to reinvest such proceeds in other
securities at a yield equal to or in excess of the yield which such
proceeds would have earned for Unit holders of the Trust.

The Indenture also authorizes the Sponsor to increase the size of the
Trust and the number of Units thereof by the deposit of additional
Equity Securities, or cash (including a letter of credit) with
instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in the Trust and
the issuance of a corresponding number of additional Units. If the
Sponsor deposits cash, existing and new investors could experience a
dilution of their investments and a reduction in anticipated income
because of fluctuations in the prices of the Equity Securities between
the time of the cash deposit and the actual purchase of the Equity
Securities and because the Trust will pay the brokerage fees associated
therewith.

The Trust consists of the Equity Securities listed under "Schedule of
Investments" (or contracts to purchase such Securities) that may
continue to be held from time to time in the Trust, and any additional
Equity Securities acquired and held by the Trust, pursuant to the
provisions of the Indenture (including provisions with respect to
deposits into the Trust of Equity Securities, in connection with the
issuance of additional Units).

Once all of the Equity Securities in the Trust are acquired, the Trustee
will have no power to vary the investments of the Trust, i.e., the
Trustee will have no managerial power to take advantage of market

Page 16                                                                  

variations to improve a Unit holder's investment and may dispose of
Equity Securities only under limited circumstances. See "How May Equity
Securities be Removed from the Trust?"

To the best of the Sponsor's knowledge, there is no litigation pending
as of the Initial Date of Deposit in respect of any Equity Security
which might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the Trust. At any time after the Initial Date of Deposit, litigation may
be instituted on a variety of grounds with respect to the Equity
Securities. The Sponsor is unable to predict whether any such litigation
will be instituted, or if instituted, whether such litigation might have
a material adverse effect on the Trust.

                             PUBLIC OFFERING

How is the Public Offering Price Determined?

Units are offered at the Public Offering Price. During the initial
offering period, the Public Offering Price is based on the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally
determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and
the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities), plus or
minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust,
plus an initial sales charge equal to the difference between the maximum
sales charge of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price and the maximum
remaining deferred sales charge, initially $0.20 per Unit. Commencing on
               , 1996, and on the last business day of each month
thereafter, through                  , 1997, a deferred sales charge of
$0.02 will be assessed per Unit per month. Units purchased subsequent to
the initial deferred sales charge payment but still during the initial
offering period will be subject to the initial sales charge and the
remaining deferred sales charge payments not yet collected. The deferred
sales charge will be paid from funds in the Income and/or Capital
Accounts, if sufficient, or from the periodic sale of Equity Securities.
The total maximum sales charge assessed to Unit holders on a per Unit
basis will be 4.5% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.615% of
the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge) subject
to a reduction beginning               , 1997.

During the initial offering period, the Sponsor's Repurchase Price is
based on the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the
Trust (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity
Securities and the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity
Securities), plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital
Accounts of the Trust and divided by the number of Units of the Trust
outstanding. For secondary market sales after the completion of the
deferred sales charge period, the Public Offering Price is also based on
the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust
(generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity
Securities and the bid prices of over-the-counter traded Equity
Securities), plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital
Accounts of the Trust, plus a one-time initial sales charge of 4.5% of
the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.712% of the net amount
invested) and divided by the number of outstanding Units of the Trust.

The minimum amount which an investor may purchase of the Trust is $1,000
($250 for an Individual Retirement Account or other retirement plans).
The applicable sales charge for both primary and secondary market sales
is reduced by a discount as indicated below for volume purchases (except
for sales made pursuant to a "wrap fee account" or similar arrangements
as set forth below):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Primary and Secondary
                                                                                          _____________________
                                                                                      Percent of          Percent of
                                                                                      Offering            Net Amount
Number of Units                                                                       Price               Invested
__________________                                                                    ________            __________
<S>                                                                                   <C>                 <C>
 5,000 but less than 10,000                                                           0.25%               0.2506%
10,000 but less than 25,000                                                           0.50%               0.5025%
25,000 but less than 50,000                                                           1.00%               1.0101%
50,000 or more                                                                        2.00%               2.0408%
</TABLE>

Any such reduced sales charge shall be the responsibility of the selling
broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent. The reduced sales charge
structure will apply on all purchases of Units in the Trust by the same
person on any one day from any one broker/dealer, bank or other selling
agent. Additionally, Units purchased in the name of the spouse of a
purchaser or in the name of a child of such purchaser under 21 years of

Page 17                                                                  

age will be deemed, for the purposes of calculating the applicable sales
charge, to be additional purchases by the purchaser. The reduced sales
charges will also be applicable to a trustee or other fiduciary
purchasing securities for a single trust estate or single fiduciary
account. The purchaser must inform the broker/dealer, bank or other
selling agent of any such combined purchase prior to the sale in order
to obtain the indicated discount. In addition, with respect to the
employees, officers and directors (including their immediate family
members, defined as spouses, children, grandchildren, parents,
grandparents, siblings, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law and
daughters-in-law, and trustees, custodians or fiduciaries for the
benefit of such persons) of the Sponsor and broker/dealers, banks or
other selling agents and their subsidiaries, Units may be purchased at
the Public Offering Price less the concession the Sponsor typically
allows to dealers and other selling agents.

Units may be purchased in the primary or secondary market at the Public
Offering Price less the concession the Sponsor typically allows to
dealers and other selling agents for purchases (see "Public Offering-How
are Units Distributed?") by investors who purchase Units through
registered investment advisers, certified financial planners or
registered broker-dealers who in each case either charge periodic fees
for financial planning, investment advisory or asset management
services, or provide such services in connection with the establishment
of an investment account for which a comprehensive "wrap fee" charge is
imposed.

Had the Units of the Trust been available for sale on the business day
prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, the Public Offering Price would
have been as indicated in "Summary of Essential Information." The Public
Offering Price of Units on the date of the prospectus or during the
initial offering period may vary from the amount stated under "Summary
of Essential Information" in accordance with fluctuations in the prices
of the underlying Equity Securities. During the initial offering period,
the aggregate value of the Units of the Trust shall be determined on the
basis of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities therein
plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the
Trust. The aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities during
the initial offering period will be determined in the following manner:
if the Equity Securities are listed on a national securities exchange or
the NASDAQ National Market System, this evaluation is generally based on
the closing sale prices on that exchange or that system (unless it is
determined that these prices are inappropriate as a basis for valuation)
or, if there is no closing sale price on that exchange or system, at the
closing ask prices. If the Equity Securities are not so listed or, if so
listed and the principal market therefor is other than on the exchange,
the evaluation shall generally be based on the current ask prices on the
over-the-counter market (unless it is determined that these prices are
inappropriate as a basis for evaluation). If current ask prices are
unavailable, the evaluation is generally determined (a) on the basis of
current ask prices for comparable securities, (b) by appraising the
value of the Equity Securities on the ask side of the market or (c) by
any combination of the above.

After the completion of the initial offering period, the secondary
market Public Offering Price will be equal to the aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities therein, plus or minus cash, if any, in
the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust plus the applicable sales
charge. The aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities for
secondary market sales is calculated in the same manner as described
above for sales made during the initial offering period with the
exception that bid prices are used instead of ask prices.

Although payment is normally made three business days following the
order for purchase (the "date of settlement"), payment may be made prior
thereto. A person will become owner of the Units on the date of
settlement provided payment has been received. Cash, if any, made
available to the Sponsor prior to the date of settlement for the
purchase of Units may be used in the Sponsor's business and may be
deemed to be a benefit to the Sponsor, subject to the limitations of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Delivery of Certificates representing
Units so ordered will be made three business days following such order
or shortly thereafter. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Units be
Redeemed?" for information regarding the ability to redeem Units ordered
for purchase.

How are Units Distributed?

During the initial offering period (i) for Units issued on the Initial
Date of Deposit and (ii) for additional Units issued after such date as

Page 18                                                                  

additional Equity Securities or cash are deposited by the Sponsor, Units
will be distributed to the public at the then current Public Offering
Price. The initial offering period may be up to approximately 360 days.
During such period, the Sponsor may deposit additional Equity Securities
or cash in the Trust and create additional Units. Units reacquired by
the Sponsor during the initial offering period (at prices based upon the
aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust plus or
minus a pro rata share of cash, if any in the Income and Capital
Accounts of the Trust) may be resold at the then current Public Offering
Price. Upon the termination of the initial offering period, unsold Units
created or reacquired during the initial offering period will be sold or
resold at the then current Public Offering Price.

Upon completion of the initial offering, Units repurchased in the
secondary market (see "Will There be a Secondary Market?") may be
offered by this prospectus at the secondary market public offering price
determined in the manner described above.

It is the intention of the Sponsor to qualify Units of the Trust for
sale in a number of states. Sales initially will be made to dealers and
other selling agents at prices which represent a concession or agency
commission of 3.0% of the Public Offering Price, and, for secondary
market sales, 3.0% of the Public Offering Price (or 65% of the then
current maximum sales charge after               , 1997). Volume
concessions or agency commissions of an additional 0.10% of the Public
Offering Price will be given to any broker/dealer or bank, who purchases
from the Sponsor at least $100,000 on the Initial Date of Deposit,
$250,000 on any day thereafter or $100,000 of The First Trust of Insured
Municipal Bonds, Series 237. Volume concessions or agency commissions of
an additional 0.25% of the Public Offering Price will be given to any
broker/dealer or bank who purchases from the Sponsor at least $500,000
of the Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit or any day thereafter.
Effective on each     , commencing               , 1997, such sales
charge will be reduced by 1/2 of 1% to a minimum sales charge of 3.0%.
However, resales of Units of the Trust by such dealers and other selling
agents to the public will be made at the Public Offering Price described
in the prospectus. The Sponsor reserves the right to change the amount
of the concession or agency commission from time to time. Certain
commercial banks may be making Units of the Trust available to their
customers on an agency basis. A portion of the sales charge paid by
these customers is retained by or remitted to the banks in the amounts
indicated above. Under the Glass-Steagall Act, banks are prohibited from
underwriting Trust Units; however, the Glass-Steagall Act does permit
certain agency transactions and the banking regulators have not
indicated that these particular agency transactions are not permitted
under such Act. In Texas and in certain other states, any banks making
Units available must be registered as broker/dealers under state law.

From time to time the Sponsor may implement programs under which
broker/dealers, banks or other selling agents of the Trust may receive
nominal awards from the Sponsor for each of their registered
representatives who have sold a minimum number of UIT Units during a
specified time period. In addition, at various times the Sponsor may
implement other programs under which the sales force of a broker/dealer,
bank or other selling agent may be eligible to win other nominal awards
for certain sales efforts, or under which the Sponsor will reallow to
any such dealer that sponsors sales contests or recognition programs
conforming to criteria established by the Sponsor, or participates in
sales programs sponsored by the Sponsor, an amount not exceeding the
total applicable sales charges on the sales generated by such person at
the public offering price during such programs. Also, the Sponsor in its
discretion may from time to time pursuant to objective criteria
established by the Sponsor pay fees to qualifying dealers for certain
services or activities which are primarily intended to result in sales
of Units of the Trust. Such payments are made by the Sponsor out of its
own assets, and not out of the assets of the Trust. These programs will
not change the price Unit holders pay for their Units or the amount that
the Trust will receive from the Units sold.

The Sponsor may from time to time in its advertising and sales materials
compare the then current estimated returns on the Trust and returns over
specified periods on other similar Trusts sponsored by Nike Securities
L.P. with returns on other taxable investments such as corporate or U.S.
Government bonds, bank CDs and money market accounts or money market
funds, each of which has investment characteristics that may differ from
those of the Trust. U.S. Government bonds, for example, are backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and bank CDs and money
market accounts are insured by an agency of the federal government.
Money market accounts and money market funds provide stability of

Page 19                                                                  

principal, but pay interest at rates that vary with the condition of the
short-term debt market. The investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus. 

Trust performance may be compared to performance on a total return basis
with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price
Index, or performance data from Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and
Morningstar Publications, Inc. or from publications such as Money, The
New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, Business Week, Forbes or
Fortune. As with other performance data, performance comparisons should
not be considered representative of the Trust's relative performance for
any future period.

What are the Sponsor's Profits?

The Sponsor of the Trust will receive a gross sales commission equal to
4.5% of the Public Offering Price of the Units (equivalent to 4.615% of
the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge), less
any reduced sales charge for quantity purchases as described under
"Public Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?" See
"Public Offering-How are Units Distributed?" for information regarding
the receipt of additional concessions available to dealers and other
selling agents. In addition, the Sponsor may be considered to have
realized a profit or to have sustained a loss, as the case may be, in
the amount of any difference between the cost of the Equity Securities
to the Trust (which is based on the Evaluator's determination of the
aggregate offering price of the underlying Equity Securities of such
Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit as well as subsequent deposits) and
the cost of such Equity Securities to the Sponsor. See Note (2) of
"Schedule of Investments." During the initial offering period, the
dealers and other selling agents also may realize profits or sustain
losses as a result of fluctuations after the Initial Date of Deposit in
the Public Offering Price received by the dealers and other selling
agents upon the sale of Units.

In maintaining a market for the Units, the Sponsor will also realize
profits or sustain losses in the amount of any difference between the
price at which Units are purchased and the price at which Units are
resold (which price includes a sales charge of 4.5% subject to reduction
beginning               , 1997) or redeemed. The secondary market public
offering price of Units may be greater or less than the cost of such
Units to the Sponsor.

Will There be a Secondary Market?

After the initial offering period, although not obligated to do so, the
Sponsor intends to maintain a market for the Units and continuously
offer to purchase Units at prices, subject to change at any time, based
upon the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the
Trust plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of
the Trust. All expenses incurred in maintaining a secondary market,
other than the fees of the Evaluator and the costs of the Trustee in
transferring and recording the ownership of Units, will be borne by the
Sponsor. If the supply of Units exceeds demand, or for some other
business reason, the Sponsor may discontinue purchases of Units at such
prices. IF A UNIT HOLDER WISHES TO DISPOSE OF HIS UNITS, HE SHOULD
INQUIRE OF THE SPONSOR AS TO CURRENT MARKET PRICES PRIOR TO MAKING A
TENDER FOR REDEMPTION TO THE TRUSTEE. Units subject to a deferred sales
charge which are sold or tendered for redemption prior to such time as
the entire deferred sales charge on such Units has been collected will
be assessed the amount of the remaining deferred sales charge at the
time of sale or redemption.

                         RIGHTS OF UNIT HOLDERS

How is Evidence of Ownership Issued and Transferred?

The Trustee is authorized to treat as the record owner of Units that
person who is registered as such owner on the books of the Trustee.
Ownership of Units may be evidenced by registered certificates executed
by the Trustee and the Sponsor. Delivery of certificates representing
Units ordered for purchase is normally made three business days
following such order or shortly thereafter. Certificates are
transferable by presentation and surrender to the Trustee properly
endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer. Certificates to be redeemed must be properly endorsed or
accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer. A Unit
holder must sign exactly as his name appears on the face of the
certificate with the signature guaranteed by a participant in the
Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other
signature guaranty program in addition to, or in substitution for,
STAMP, as may be accepted by the Trustee. In certain instances the

Page 20                                                                  

Trustee may require additional documents such as, but not limited to,
trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor or
administrator or certificates of corporate authority. 

Certificates will be issued in fully registered form, transferable only
on the books of the Trustee in denominations of one Unit or any multiple
thereof, numbered serially for purposes of identification.

Unit holders may elect to hold their Units in uncertificated form. The
Trustee will maintain an account for each such Unit holder and will
credit each such account with the number of Units purchased by that Unit
holder. Within two business days of the issuance or transfer of Units
held in uncertificated form, the Trustee will send to the registered
owner of Units a written initial transaction statement containing a
description of the Trust; the number of Units issued or transferred; the
name, address and taxpayer identification number, if any, of the new
registered owner; a notation of any liens and restrictions of the issuer
and any adverse claims to which such Units are or may be subject or a
statement that there are no such liens, restrictions or adverse claims;
and the date the transfer was registered. Uncertificated Units are
transferable through the same procedures applicable to Units evidenced
by certificates (described above), except that no certificate need be
presented to the Trustee and no certificate will be issued upon the
transfer unless requested by the Unit holder. A Unit holder may at any
time request the Trustee to issue certificates for Units.

Although no such charge is now made or contemplated, a Unit holder may
be required to pay $2.00 to the Trustee per certificate reissued or
transferred and to pay any governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with each such transfer or exchange. For new certificates
issued to replace destroyed, stolen or lost certificates, the Unit
holder may be required to furnish indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee
and pay such expenses as the Trustee may incur. Mutilated certificates
must be surrendered to the Trustee for replacement.

How are Income and Capital Distributed?

The Trustee will distribute any net income received with respect to any
of the securities in the Trust on or about the Income Distribution Dates
to Unit holders of record on the preceding Income Record Date. See
"Summary of Essential Information." Persons who purchase Units will
commence receiving distributions only after such person becomes a record
owner. Notification to the Trustee of the transfer of Units is the
responsibility of the purchaser, but in the normal course of business
such notice is provided by the selling broker-dealer. The pro rata share
of cash in the Capital Account of the Trust will be computed as of the
fifteenth day of each month. Proceeds received on the sale of any Equity
Securities in the Trust, to the extent not used to meet redemptions of
Units or pay expenses, will, however, be distributed on the last day of
each month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day of such month
if the amount available for distribution equals at least $1.00 per 100
Units. The Trustee is not required to pay interest on funds held in the
Capital Account of the Trust (but may itself earn interest thereon and
therefore benefit from the use of such funds). Notwithstanding,
distributions of funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be made on
the last day of each December to Unit holders of record as of December
15. See "What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?"

Under regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee is
required to withhold a specified percentage of any distribution made by
the Trust if the Trustee has not been furnished the Unit holder's tax
identification number in the manner required by such regulations. Any
amount so withheld is transmitted to the Internal Revenue Service and
may be recovered by the Unit holder only when filing a tax return. Under
normal circumstances the Trustee obtains the Unit holder's tax
identification number from the selling broker. However, a Unit holder
should examine his or her statements from the Trustee to make sure that
the Trustee has been provided a certified tax identification number in
order to avoid this possible "back-up withholding." In the event the
Trustee has not been previously provided such number, one should be
provided as soon as possible.

Within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated, each Unit holder
will, upon surrender of his Units for redemption, receive: (i) the pro
rata share of the amounts realized upon the disposition of Equity
Securities, unless he elects an In-Kind Distribution as described below
and (ii) a pro rata share of any other assets of the Trust, less
expenses of the Trust. Not less than 60 days prior to the Mandatory
Termination Date of the Trust, the Trustee will provide written notice
thereof to all Unit holders and will include with such notice a form to

Page 21                                                                  

enable Unit holders to elect a distribution of whole shares of Equity
Securities (an "In-Kind Distribution"), if such Unit holder owns at
least 2,500 Units of the Trust, rather than to receive payment in cash
for such Unit holder's pro rata share of the amounts realized upon the
disposition by the Trustee of Equity Securities. An In-Kind Distribution
will be reduced by customary transfer and registration charges. To be
effective, the election form, together with surrendered certificates and
other documentation required by the Trustee, must be returned to the
Trustee at least five business days prior to the Mandatory Termination
Date of the Trust. A Unit holder may, of course, at any time after the
Equity Securities are distributed, sell all or a portion of the shares. 

The Trustee will credit to the Income Account of the Trust any dividends
received on the Equity Securities therein. All other receipts (e.g.
return of capital, etc.) are credited to the Capital Account of the Trust.

The Trustee may establish reserves (the "Reserve Account") within the
Trust for state and local taxes, if any, and any governmental charges
payable out of the Trust.

What Reports will Unit Holders Receive?

The Trustee shall furnish Unit holders in connection with each
distribution a statement of the amount of income, if any, and the amount
of other receipts, if any, which are being distributed, expressed in
each case as a dollar amount per Unit. Within a reasonable period of
time after the end of each calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to
each person who at any time during the calendar year was a Unit holder
of the Trust the following information in reasonable detail: (1) a
summary of transactions in the Trust for such year; (2) any Equity
Securities sold during the year and the Equity Securities held at the
end of such year by the Trust; (3) the redemption price per Unit based
upon a computation thereof on the 31st day of December of such year (or
the last business day prior thereto); and (4) amounts of income and
capital distributed during such year.

In order to comply with Federal and state tax reporting requirements,
Unit holders will be furnished, upon request to the Trustee, evaluations
of the Securities in the Trust furnished to it by the Evaluator.

How May Units be Redeemed?

A Unit holder may redeem all or a portion of his Units by tender to the
Trustee at its corporate trust office in the City of New York of the
certificates representing the Units to be redeemed, or in the case of
uncertificated Units, delivery of a request for redemption, duly
endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer with signature
guaranteed as explained above (or by providing satisfactory indemnity,
as in connection with lost, stolen or destroyed certificates), and
payment of applicable governmental charges, if any. No redemption fee
will be charged. On the third business day following such tender, the
Unit holder will be entitled to receive in cash an amount for each Unit
equal to the Redemption Price per Unit next computed after receipt by
the Trustee of such tender of Units. The "date of tender" is deemed to
be the date on which Units are received by the Trustee, except for Units
received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, the date of tender is the next
day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and such
Units will be deemed to have been tendered to the Trustee on such day
for redemption at the redemption price computed on that day. Units so
redeemed shall be cancelled.

Any Unit holder tendering 2,500 Units or more for redemption may request
by written notice submitted at the time of tender from the Trustee in
lieu of a cash redemption a distribution of shares of Equity Securities
in an amount and value of Equity Securities per Unit equal to the
Redemption Price Per Unit as determined as of the evaluation next
following tender. To the extent possible, in-kind distributions ("In-
Kind Distributions") shall be made by the Trustee through the
distribution of each of the Equity Securities in book-entry form to the
account of the Unit holder's bank or broker-dealer at the Depository
Trust Company. An In-Kind Distribution will be reduced by customary
transfer and registration charges. The tendering Unit holder will
receive his pro rata number of whole shares of each of the Equity
Securities comprising the portfolio and cash from the Capital Account
equal to the fractional shares to which the tendering Unit holder is
entitled. The Trustee may adjust the number of shares of any issue of
Equity Securities included in a Unit holder's In-Kind Distribution to
facilitate the distribution of whole shares, such adjustment to be made
on the basis of the value of Equity Securities on the date of tender. If
funds in the Capital Account are insufficient to cover the required cash
distribution to the tendering Unit holder, the Trustee may sell Equity
Securities in the manner described above.

Page 22                                                                  

Under regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee is
required to withhold a specified percentage of the principal amount of a
Unit redemption if the Trustee has not been furnished the redeeming Unit
holder's tax identification number in the manner required by such
regulations. Any amount so withheld is transmitted to the Internal
Revenue Service and may be recovered by the Unit holder only when filing
a tax return. Under normal circumstances the Trustee obtains the Unit
holder's tax identification number from the selling broker. However, any
time a Unit holder elects to tender Units for redemption, such Unit
holder should make sure that the Trustee has been provided a certified
tax identification number in order to avoid this possible "back-up
withholding." In the event the Trustee has not been previously provided
such number, one must be provided at the time redemption is requested.

Any amounts paid on redemption representing income shall be withdrawn
from the Income Account of the Trust to the extent that funds are
available for such purpose, or from the Capital Account. All other
amounts paid on redemption shall be withdrawn from the Capital Account
of the Trust.

The Trustee is empowered to sell Equity Securities of the Trust in order
to make funds available for redemption. To the extent that Equity
Securities are sold, the size and diversity of the Trust will be
reduced. Such sales may be required at a time when Equity Securities
would not otherwise be sold and might result in lower prices than might
otherwise be realized.

The Redemption Price per Unit (as well as the secondary market Public
Offering Price) will be determined on the basis of the aggregate
underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust plus or minus
cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust. The
Redemption Price per Unit is the pro rata share of each Unit determined
by the Trustee by adding: (1) the cash on hand in the Trust other than
cash deposited in the Trust to purchase Equity Securities not applied to
the purchase of such Equity Securities; (2) the aggregate value of the
Equity Securities held in the Trust, as determined by the Evaluator on
the basis of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in
the Trust next computed; and (3) dividends receivable on the Equity
Securities trading ex-dividend as of the date of computation; and
deducting therefrom: (1) amounts representing any applicable taxes or
governmental charges payable out of the Trust; (2) any amounts owing to
the Trustee for its advances; (3) an amount representing estimated
accrued expenses of the Trust, including but not limited to fees and
expenses of the Trustee (including legal and auditing fees), the
Evaluator and supervisory fees, if any; (4) cash held for distribution
to Unit holders of record of the Trust as of the business day prior to
the evaluation being made; and (5) other liabilities incurred by the
Trust; and finally dividing the results of such computation by the
number of Units of the Trust outstanding as of the date thereof.

The aggregate value of the Equity Securities used to calculate the
Redemption Price per Unit will be determined in the following manner: if
the Equity Securities are listed on a national securities exchange or
the NASDAQ National Market System, this evaluation is generally based on
the closing sale prices on that exchange or that system (unless it is
determined that these prices are inappropriate as a basis for valuation)
or, if there is no closing sale price on that exchange or system, at the
closing bid prices. If the Equity Securities are not so listed or, if so
listed and the principal market therefor is other than on the exchange,
the evaluation shall generally be based on the current bid prices on the
over-the-counter market (unless these prices are inappropriate as a
basis for evaluation). If current bid prices are unavailable, the
evaluation is generally determined (a) on the basis of current bid
prices for comparable securities, (b) by appraising the value of the
Equity Securities on the bid side of the market or (c) by any
combination of the above.

The right of redemption may be suspended and payment postponed for any
period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than
for customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which the
Securities and Exchange Commission determines that trading on the New
York Stock Exchange is restricted or any emergency exists, as a result
of which disposal or evaluation of the Securities is not reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange
Commission may by order permit. Under certain extreme circumstances, the
Sponsor may apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission for an order
permitting a full or partial suspension of the right of Unit holders to
redeem their Units. The Trustee is not liable to any person in any way
for any loss or damage which may result from any such suspension or
postponement.

Page 23                                                                  

How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor?

The Trustee shall notify the Sponsor of any tender of Units for
redemption. If the Sponsor's bid in the secondary market at that time
equals or exceeds the Redemption Price per Unit, it may purchase such
Units by notifying the Trustee before 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same
business day and by making payment therefor to the Unit holder not later
than the day on which the Units would otherwise have been redeemed by
the Trustee. Units held by the Sponsor may be tendered to the Trustee
for redemption as any other Units. In the event the Sponsor does not
purchase Units, the Trustee may sell Units tendered for redemption in
the over-the-counter market, if any, as long as the amount to be
received by the Unit holder is equal to the amount he would have
received on redemption of the Units.

The offering price of any Units acquired by the Sponsor will be in
accord with the Public Offering Price described in the then effective
prospectus describing such Units. Any profit or loss resulting from the
resale or redemption of such Units will belong to the Sponsor.

How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?

The Portfolio of the Trust is not "managed" by the Sponsor or the
Trustee; their activities described herein are governed solely by the
provisions of the Indenture. The Indenture provides that the Sponsor may
(but need not) direct the Trustee to dispose of an Equity Security in
the event that an issuer defaults in the payment of a dividend that has
been declared, that any action or proceeding has been instituted
restraining the payment of dividends or there exists any legal question
or impediment affecting such Equity Security, that the issuer of the
Equity Security has breached a covenant which would affect the payments
of dividends, the credit standing of the issuer or otherwise impair the
sound investment character of the Equity Security, that the issuer has
defaulted on the payment on any other of its outstanding obligations,
that the price of the Equity Security has declined to such an extent or
other such credit factors exist so that in the opinion of the Sponsor,
the retention of such Equity Securities would be detrimental to the
Trust. Except as stated under "Portfolio-What are Some Additional
Considerations for Investors?" for Failed Obligations, the acquisition
by the Trust of any securities or other property other than the Equity
Securities is prohibited. Pursuant to the Indenture and with limited
exceptions, the Trustee may sell any securities or other property
acquired in exchange for Equity Securities such as those acquired in
connection with a merger or other transaction. If offered such new or
exchanged securities or property, the Trustee shall reject the offer.
However, in the event such securities or property are nonetheless
acquired by the Trust, they may be accepted for deposit in the Trust and
either sold by the Trustee or held in the Trust pursuant to the
direction of the Sponsor (who may rely on the advice of the Portfolio
Supervisor). Proceeds from the sale of Equity Securities (or any
securities or other property received by the Trust in exchange for
Equity Securities) by the Trustee are credited to the Capital Account of
the Trust for distribution to Unit holders or to meet redemptions.

The Trustee may also sell Equity Securities designated by the Sponsor,
or if not so directed, in its own discretion, for the purpose of
redeeming Units of the Trust tendered for redemption and the payment of
expenses.

The Sponsor, in designating Equity Securities to be sold by the Trustee,
will generally make selections in order to maintain, to the extent
practicable, the proportionate relationship among the number of shares
of individual issues of Equity Securities. To the extent this is not
practicable, the composition and diversity of the Equity Securities may
be altered. In order to obtain the best price for the Trust, it may be
necessary for the Sponsor to specify minimum amounts (generally 100
shares) in which blocks of Equity Securities are to be sold.

            INFORMATION AS TO SPONSOR, TRUSTEE AND EVALUATOR

Who is the Sponsor?

Nike Securities L.P., the Sponsor, specializes in the underwriting,
trading and distribution of unit investment trusts and other securities.
Nike Securities L.P., an Illinois limited partnership formed in 1991,
acts as Sponsor for successive series of The First Trust Combined
Series, The First Trust Special Situations Trust, The First Trust

Page 24                                                                  

Insured Corporate Trust, The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds and
The First Trust GNMA. First Trust introduced the first insured unit
investment trust in 1974 and to date more than $9 billion in First Trust
unit investment trusts have been deposited. The Sponsor's employees
include a team of professionals with many years of experience in the
unit investment trust industry. The Sponsor is a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and Securities Investor
Protection Corporation and has its principal offices at 1001 Warrenville
Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532; telephone number (630) 241-4141. As of
December 31, 1995, the total partners' capital of Nike Securities L.P.
was $9,033,760 (audited). (This paragraph relates only to the Sponsor
and not to the Trust or to any series thereof or to any other
Underwriter. The information is included herein only for the purpose of
informing investors as to the financial responsibility of the Sponsor
and its ability to carry out its contractual obligations. More detailed
financial information will be made available by the Sponsor upon request.)

Who is the Trustee?

The Trustee is The Chase Manhattan Bank, with its principal executive
office located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and its unit
investment trust office at 770 Broadway, New York, New York 10003. Unit
holders who have questions regarding the Trusts may call the Customer
Service Help Line at 1-800-682-7520. The Trustee is subject to
supervision by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York, the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.

The Trustee, whose duties are ministerial in nature, has not
participated in the selection of the Equity Securities. For information
relating to the responsibilities of the Trustee under the Indenture,
reference is made to the material set forth under "Rights of Unit
Holders."

The Trustee and any successor trustee may resign by executing an
instrument in writing and filing the same with the Sponsor and mailing a
copy of a notice of resignation to all Unit holders. Upon receipt of
such notice, the Sponsor is obligated to appoint a successor trustee
promptly. If the Trustee becomes incapable of acting or becomes bankrupt
or its affairs are taken over by public authorities, the Sponsor may
remove the Trustee and appoint a successor as provided in the Indenture.
If upon resignation of a trustee no successor has accepted the
appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee may
apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor. The resignation or removal of a trustee becomes effective
only when the successor trustee accepts its appointment as such or when
a court of competent jurisdiction appoints a successor trustee.

Any corporation into which a Trustee may be merged or with which it may
be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or
consolidation to which a Trustee shall be a party, shall be the
successor Trustee. The Trustee must be a banking corporation organized
under the laws of the United States or any State and having at all times
an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than
$5,000,000.

Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee

The Sponsor and the Trustee shall be under no liability to Unit holders
for taking any action or for refraining from taking any action in good
faith pursuant to the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be
liable only for their own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence (ordinary negligence in the case of the Trustee) or reckless
disregard of their obligations and duties. The Trustee shall not be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the
Trustee of any of the Equity Securities. In the event of the failure of
the Sponsor to act under the Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder
and shall not be liable for any action taken by it in good faith under
the Indenture.

The Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental
charges imposed upon or in respect of the Securities or upon the
interest thereon or upon it as Trustee under the Indenture or upon or in
respect of the Trust which the Trustee may be required to pay under any
present or future law of the United States of America or of any other
taxing authority having jurisdiction. In addition, the Indenture
contains other customary provisions limiting the liability of the Trustee.

If the Sponsor shall fail to perform any of its duties under the
Indenture or becomes incapable of acting or becomes bankrupt or its

Page 25                                                                  

affairs are taken over by public authorities, then the Trustee may (a)
appoint a successor Sponsor at rates of compensation deemed by the
Trustee to be reasonable and not exceeding amounts prescribed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or (b) terminate the Indenture and
liquidate the Trust as provided herein, or (c) continue to act as
Trustee without terminating the Indenture.

Who is the Evaluator?

The Evaluator is First Trust Advisors L.P., an Illinois limited
partnership formed in 1991 and an affiliate of the Sponsor. The
Evaluator's address is 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532. The
Evaluator may resign or may be removed by the Sponsor or the Trustee, in
which event the Sponsor and the Trustee are to use their best efforts to
appoint a satisfactory successor. Such resignation or removal shall
become effective upon the acceptance of appointment by the successor
Evaluator. If upon resignation of the Evaluator no successor has
accepted appointment within 30 days after notice of resignation, the
Evaluator may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor.

The Trustee, Sponsor and Unit holders may rely on any evaluation
furnished by the Evaluator and shall have no responsibility for the
accuracy thereof. Determinations by the Evaluator under the Indenture
shall be made in good faith upon the basis of the best information
available to it, provided, however, that the Evaluator shall be under no
liability to the Trustee, Sponsor or Unit holders for errors in
judgment. This provision shall not protect the Evaluator in any case of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties.

                            OTHER INFORMATION

How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated?

The Sponsor and the Trustee have the power to amend the Indenture
without the consent of any of the Unit holders when such an amendment is
(1) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision of
the Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provision contained therein, or (2) to make such other provisions as
shall not adversely affect the interest of the Unit holders (as
determined in good faith by the Sponsor and the Trustee).

The Indenture provides that the Trust shall terminate upon the Mandatory
Termination Date indicated herein under "Summary of Essential
Information." The Trust may be liquidated at any time by consent of 100%
of the Unit holders of the Trust or by the Trustee when the value of the
Equity Securities owned by the Trust as shown by any evaluation, is less
than the lower of $2,000,000 or 20% of the total value of Equity
Securities deposited in such Trust during the primary offering period,
or in the event that Units of the Trust not yet sold aggregating more
than 60% of the Units of the Trust are tendered for redemption by a
broker/dealer, including the Sponsor. If the Trust is liquidated because
of the redemption of unsold Units of the Trust by a broker/dealer, the
Sponsor will refund to each purchaser of Units of the Trust the entire
sales charge paid by such purchaser. In the event of termination,
written notice thereof will be sent by the Trustee to all Unit holders
of the Trust. Within a reasonable period after termination, the Trustee
will follow the procedures set forth under "How are Income and Capital
Distributed?"

Commencing on the Mandatory Termination Date, Equity Securities will
begin to be sold in connection with the termination of the Trust. The
Sponsor will determine the manner, timing and execution of the sale of
the Equity Securities. Written notice of any termination of the Trust
specifying the time or times at which Unit holders may surrender their
certificates for cancellation shall be given by the Trustee to each Unit
holder at his address appearing on the registration books of the Trust
maintained by the Trustee. At least 60 days prior to the Mandatory
Termination Date of the Trust the Trustee will provide written notice
thereof to all Unit holders and will include with such notice a form to
enable Unit holders to elect a distribution of shares of Equity
Securities (reduced by customary transfer and registration charges), if
such Unit holder owns at least 2,500 Units of the Trust, rather than to
receive payment in cash for such Unit holder's pro rata share of the
amounts realized upon the disposition by the Trustee of Equity
Securities. To be effective, the election form, together with
surrendered certificates and other documentation required by the
Trustee, must be returned to the Trustee at least five business days
prior to the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust. Unit holders not
electing a distribution of shares of Equity Securities will receive a
cash distribution from the sale of the remaining Equity Securities
within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated. Regardless of
the distribution involved, the Trustee will deduct from the funds of the
Trust any accrued costs, expenses, advances or indemnities provided by

Page 26                                                                  

the Trust Agreement, including estimated compensation of the Trustee and
costs of liquidation and any amounts required as a reserve to provide
for payment of any applicable taxes or other governmental charges. Any
sale of Equity Securities in the Trust upon termination may result in a
lower amount than might otherwise be realized if such sale were not
required at such time. The Trustee will then distribute to each Unit
holder his pro rata share of the balance of the Income and Capital
Accounts.

Legal Opinions

The legality of the Units offered hereby and certain matters relating to
Federal tax law have been passed upon by Chapman and Cutler, 111 West
Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, as counsel for the Sponsor.
Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, will act as counsel for the Trustee and as
special New York tax counsel for the Trust.

Experts

The statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, of
the Trust at the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit
appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement has been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report
thereon appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement,
and is included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Page 27                                                                  

                     REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Sponsor, Nike Securities L.P., and Unit Holders
THE FIRST TRUST SPECIAL SITUATIONS TRUST, SERIES 165

We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including the
schedule of investments, of The First Trust Special Situations Trust,
Series 165, comprised of Oil Field Services Growth Trust, Series 1, at
the opening of business on _________, 1996. This statement of net assets
is the responsibility of the Trust's Sponsor. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on this statement of net assets based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statement of net assets is
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the statement
of net assets. Our procedures included confirmation of the letter of
credit held by the Trustee and deposited in the Trust on _________,
1996. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by the Sponsor, as well as evaluating the
overall presentation of the statement of net assets. We believe that our
audit of the statement of net assets provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.

In our opinion, the statement of net assets referred to above presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The First
Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 165, comprised of Oil Field
Services Growth Trust, Series 1, at the opening of business on
_________, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

                                   ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
_________, 1996

Page 28                                                                  

                                                  Statement of Net Assets

                                OIL FIELD SERVICES GROWTH TRUST, SERIES 1
                     The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 165
                At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
                                                          _________, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         NET ASSETS
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
Investment in Equity Securities represented by purchase contracts (1) (2)                                     $
Organizational and offering costs (3)                                                                                         
                                                                                                              _________       
                                                                                                                              
Less accrued organizational and offering costs (3)                                                             (      )
Less liability for deferred sales charge (4)                                                                   (      )
                                                                                                              _________
Net assets                                                                                                    $
                                                                                                              =========
Units outstanding                                                                                              15,000
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS                                                    
<S>                                                                                                           <C>            
Cost to investors (5)                                                                                         $
Less sales charge (5)                                                                                          (      )
                                                                                                              _________
Net assets                                                                                                    $
                                                                                                              =========
</TABLE>

[FN]

                NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

(1) Aggregate cost of the Equity Securities listed under "Schedule of
Investments" is based on their aggregate underlying value.

(2) An irrevocable letter of credit totaling $    issued by Bankers Trust
Company has been deposited with the Trustee as collateral, which is
sufficient to cover the monies necessary for the purchase of the Equity
Securities pursuant to contracts for the purchase of such Equity
Securities.

(3) The Trust will bear all or a portion of its estimated organizational
and offering costs which will be deferred and charged off over a period
not to exceed five years from the Initial Date of Deposit. The estimated
organizational and offering costs are based on 1,500,000 Units of the
Trust expected to be issued. To the extent the number of Units issued is
larger or smaller, the estimate will vary.

(4) Represents the amount of mandatory distributions from the Trust ($.20
per Unit), payable to the Sponsor in ten equal monthly installments
beginning on                , 1996, and on the last business day of each
month thereafter through                  , 1997. If Units are redeemed
prior to                  , 1997, the remaining amount of the deferred
sales charge applicable to such Units will be payable at the time of
redemption.

(5) The aggregate cost to investors includes a sales charge computed at
the rate of 4.5% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 4.615% of
the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge),
assuming no reduction of sales charge for quantity purchases.

Page 29                                                                  

                                                  Schedule of Investments

                                OIL FIELD SERVICES GROWTH TRUST, SERIES 1
                     The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 165
                At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit
                                                          _________, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Approximate
                                                                           Percentage        Market            Cost of
                                                                           of Aggregate      Value             Equity
Number        Ticker Symbol and                                            Offering          per               Securities
of Shares     Name of Issuer of Equity Securities (1)                      Price (3)         Share             to Trust (2)
_________     _______________________________________                      ____________      ______            ____________
<C>           <S>                                                          <C>               <C>               <C>               
              TDGO         3-D Geophysical, Inc.                           2-5%              $                 $
              DIVE         American Oilfield Divers, Inc.                  2-5%
              BJS          BJ Services Company                             2-5%
              BHI          Baker Hughes, Inc.                              2-5%
              DGC          Digicon, Inc.                                   2-5%
              ESV          ENSCO International, Inc.                       2-5%
              FLCN         Falcon Drilling Company, Inc.                   2-5%
              HAL          Halliburton Company                             2-5%
              IO           Input/Output, Inc.                              2-5%
              KEG          Key Energy Group, Inc.                          2-5%
              MDCO         Marine Drilling Company, Inc.                   2-5%
              PTEN         Patterson Energy, Inc.                          2-5%
              RB           Reading & Bates Corporation                     2-5%
              SLB          Schlumberger, Ltd.                              2-5%
              TDW          Tidewater, Inc.                                 2-5%
              TUBO         Tuboscope Vetco International, Inc.             2-5%
              WII          Weatherford Enterra, Inc.                       2-5%
              WAI          Western Atlas, Inc.                             2-5%
                                                                           ____________                        ____________
              Total Investments                                            100%                                $
                                                                           ============                        ============
</TABLE>

[FN]
______________

(1) All Equity Securities are represented by regular way contracts to
purchase such Equity Securities for the performance of which an
irrevocable letter of credit has been deposited with the Trustee. The
contracts to purchase Equity Securities were entered into by the Sponsor
on            , 1996.

(2) The cost of the Equity Securities to the Trust represents the
aggregate underlying value with respect to the Equity Securities
acquired (generally determined by the last sale prices of the listed
Equity Securities and the ask prices of the over-the-counter traded
Equity Securities on the business day preceding the Initial Date of
Deposit). The valuation of the Equity Securities has been determined by
the Evaluator, an affiliate of the Sponsor. The aggregate underlying
value of the Equity Securities on the Initial Date of Deposit was $   .
Cost and loss to Sponsor relating to the Equity Securities sold to the
Trust were $    and $   , respectively.

(3) The portfolio may contain additional Equity Securities each of which
will not exceed approximately 5% of the Aggregate Offering Price.
Although it is not the Sponsor's intention, certain of the Equity
Securities listed above may not be included in the final portfolio.
Also, the percentages of the Aggregate Offering Price for the Equity
Securities are approximate amounts and may vary in the final portfolio.

Page 30                                                                  

                 This page is intentionally left blank.

Page 31                                                                  

CONTENTS:
Summary of Essential Information                          4 
Oil Field Services Growth Trust, Series 1                   
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 165:       
    What is The First Trust Special Situations Trust?     6 
    What are the Expenses and Charges?                    7 
    What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?       8 
    Why are Investments in the Trust Suitable for           
       Retirement Plans?                                 11 
Portfolio:                                                  
    What are Equity Securities?                          11 
    Risk Factors                                         11 
    What are the Equity Securities Selected for             
        Oil Field Services Growth Trust, Series 1?       15 
    What are Some Additional Considerations                 
        for Investors?                                   16 
Public Offering:                                            
    How is the Public Offering Price Determined?         17 
    How are Units Distributed?                           18 
    What are the Sponsor's Profits?                      20 
    Will There be a Secondary Market?                    20 
Rights of Unit Holders:                                     
    How is Evidence of Ownership                            
        Issued and Transferred?                          20 
    How are Income and Capital Distributed?              21 
    What Reports will Unit Holders Receive?              22 
    How May Units be Redeemed?                           22 
    How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor?           24 
    How May Equity Securities be Removed                    
        from the Trust?                                  24 
Information as to Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator:           
    Who is the Sponsor?                                  24 
    Who is the Trustee?                                  25 
    Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor                   
        and Trustee                                      25 
    Who is the Evaluator?                                26 
Other Information:                                          
    How May the Indenture be Amended                        
        or Terminated?                                   26 
    Legal Opinions                                       27 
    Experts                                              27 
Report of Independent Auditors                           28 
Statement of Net Assets                                  29 
Notes to Statement of Net Assets                         29 
Schedule of Investments                                  30 

THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION
OF AN OFFER TO BUY, SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM
IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION.

THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS RELATING THERETO, WHICH THE FUND
HAS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, D.C.
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940,
AND TO WHICH REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE.

                    FIRST TRUST (registered trademark)

                     OIL FIELD SERVICES GROWTH TRUST
                                SERIES 1

                          Nike Securities, L.P.
                    1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
                          Lisle, Illinois 60532
                             1-630-241-4141

                                Trustee:

                        The Chase Manhattan Bank
                              770 Broadway
                        New York, New York 10003
                             1-800-682-7520

                             _________, 1996

                      PLEASE RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS
                          FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Page 32                                                                   

                           MEMORANDUM
                                
      Re:  The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 165
     
     As   indicated   in   our  cover  letter  transmitting   the
Registration  Statement  on Form S-6 and other  related  material
under  the  Securities  Act of 1933 to the Commission,  the  only
difference of consequence (except as described below) between The
First  Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 163, which  is  the
current  fund,  and  The  First Trust Special  Situations  Trust,
Series  165, the filing of which this memorandum accompanies,  is
the  change  in the series number.  The list of bonds  comprising
the Fund, the evaluation, record and distribution dates and other
changes  pertaining specifically to the new series, such as  size
and number of Units in the Fund and the statement of condition of
the new Fund, will be filed by amendment.
                                
                                
                            1940 ACT
                                
                                
                      FORMS N-8A AND N-8B-2
     
     These forms were not filed, as the Form N-8A and Form N-8B-2
filed in respect of Templeton Growth and Treasury Trust, Series 1
and  subsequent series (File No. 811-05903) related also  to  the
subsequent series of the Fund.
                                
                                
                            1933 ACT
                                
                                
                           PROSPECTUS
     
     The  only  significant changes in the  Prospectus  from  the
Series  163 Prospectus relate to the series number and  size  and
the  date and various items of information which will be  derived
from and apply specifically to the bonds deposited in the Fund.



                                
               CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT


ITEM A    Bonding Arrangements of Depositor:

          Nike Securities L.P. is covered by a Broker's Fidelity
          Bond, in the total amount of $1,000,000, the insurer
          being National Union Fire Insurance Company of
          Pittsburgh.

ITEM B    This Registration Statement on Form S-6 comprises the
          following papers and documents:

          The facing sheet

          The Cross-Reference Sheet

          The Prospectus

          The signatures

          Exhibits

          Financial Data Schedule



                               S-1
                           SIGNATURES
     
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of  1933,
the  Registrant, The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series
165  has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed  on
its  behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
Village of Lisle and State of Illinois on September 11, 1996.

                           THE FIRST TRUST SPECIAL SITUATIONS
                           TRUST, SERIES 165
                                     (Registrant)
                           
                           By:    NIKE SECURITIES L.P.
                                     (Depositor)
                           
                           
                           By     Robert M. Porcellino
                                   Vice President


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of  1933,
this  Registration  Statement  has  been  signed  below  by   the
following person in the capacity and on the date indicated:


NAME                   TITLE*                       DATE

Robert D. Van Kampen   Sole Director of
                       Nike Securities         September 11, 1996
                       Corporation, the
                       General Partner of
                       Nike Securities L.P.  Robert M. Porcellino
                                               Attorney-in-Fact**






___________________________
*    The title of the person named herein represents his capacity
     in and relationship to Nike Securities L.P., the Depositor.

**   An  executed copy of the related power of attorney was filed
     with  the  Securities and Exchange Commission in  connection
     with Amendment No. 1 to form S-6 of The First Trust Combined
     Series  258  (File  No. 33-63483) and  the  same  is  hereby
     incorporated by this reference.


                               S-2
                       CONSENTS OF COUNSEL
     
     The  consents  of counsel to the use of their names  in  the
Prospectus  included  in  this  Registration  Statement  will  be
contained  in their respective opinions to be filed  as  Exhibits
3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the Registration Statement.
                                
                                
                  CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
     
     The  consent of Ernst & Young LLP to the use of its name and
to  the reference to such firm in the Prospectus included in this
Registration Statement will be filed by amendment.
                                
                                
              CONSENT OF FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P.
     
     The  consent of First Trust Advisors L.P. to the use of  its
name in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement  is
filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.
     
     
                               S-3
                          EXHIBIT INDEX

1.1    Form  of  Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust  for  The
       First  Trust  Special  Situations  Trust,  Series  22  and
       certain  subsequent Series, effective  November  20,  1991
       among  Nike  Securities L.P., as Depositor, United  States
       Trust   Company   of  New  York  as  Trustee,   Securities
       Evaluation   Service,   Inc.,  as  Evaluator,   and   Nike
       Financial  Advisory Services L.P. as Portfolio  Supervisor
       (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form  S-6
       [File  No.  33-43693] filed on behalf of The  First  Trust
       Special Situations Trust, Series 22).

1.1.1* Form   of  Trust  Agreement  for  Series  165  among  Nike
       Securities  L.P., as Depositor, The Chase Manhattan  Bank,
       as  Trustee  and First Trust Advisors L.P.,  as  Evaluator
       and Portfolio Supervisor.

1.2    Copy   of  Certificate  of  Limited  Partnership  of  Nike
       Securities  L.P. (incorporated by reference  to  Amendment
       No.  1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf  of
       The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18).

1.3    Copy of Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement
       of  Nike  Securities L.P. (incorporated  by  reference  to
       Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683]  filed  on
       behalf  of  The  First  Trust  Special  Situations  Trust,
       Series 18).

1.4    Copy  of  Articles  of Incorporation  of  Nike  Securities
       Corporation, the general partner of Nike Securities  L.P.,
       Depositor  (incorporated by reference to Amendment  No.  1
       to  Form  S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf  of  The
       First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18).

1.5    Copy  of  By-Laws  of  Nike  Securities  Corporaiton,  the
       general   partner  of  Nike  Securities  L.P.,   Depositor
       (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form  S-6
       [File  No.  33-42683] filed on behalf of The  First  Trust
       Special Situations Trust, Series 18).

2.1    Copy of Certificate of Ownership (included in Exhibit  1.1
       filed  herewith  on  page  2 and  incorporated  herein  by
       reference).

3.1*   Opinion  of  counsel  as to legality of  Securities  being
       registered.

3.2*   Opinion  of  counsel as to Federal income  tax  status  of
       Securities being registered.

                               S-4

3.3*   Opinion  of  counsel as to New York income tax  status  of
       Securities being registered.

3.4*   Opinion of counsel as to advancement of funds by Trustee.

4.1*   Consent of First Trust Advisors L.P.

6.1    List  of  Directors  and Officers of Depositor  and  other
       related   information  (incorporated   by   reference   to
       Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683]  filed  on
       behalf  of  The  First  Trust  Special  Situations  Trust,
       Series 18).

7.1    Power of Attorney executed by the Director listed on  page
       S-3  of  this  Registration  Statement  (incorporated   by
       reference  to  Amendment  No. 1  to  Form  S-6  [File  No.
       33-63483]  filed  on  behalf of The First  Trust  Combined
       Series 258).






___________________________________
* To be filed by amendment.

                               S-5
                                



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