USAA MUTUAL FUND INC
485APOS, 1998-02-27
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 1998.
    
                                                 1933 Act File No. 2-49560
                                                 1940 Act File No. 811-2429

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM N-1A
   
           REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 X
                          Pre-Effective Amendment No.
                        Post-Effective Amendment No. 48
    
                                      and
   
       REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 X
                               Amendment No. 36
    
                             USAA MUTUAL FUND, INC.
               -------------------------------------------------
              (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                9800 Fredericksburg Rd., San Antonio, TX 78288
            ------------------------------------------------------
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

       Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code (210) 498-0600

                         Michael D. Wagner, Secretary
                            USAA MUTUAL FUND, INC.
                            9800 Fredericksburg Rd.
                           San Antonio, TX 78288-0227
                    ---------------------------------------
                    (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Approximate  Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the
                 effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
It is proposed that this filing will become effective under Rule 485
   
___   immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
___   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
___   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
_X_   on May 1, 1998, pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
___   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
___   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
    
If appropriate, check the following box:
___   This  post-effective  amendment  designates a  new effective  date for  a
      previously filed post-effective amendment.

   
                                        Exhibit Index on Pages 68 - 71
    
                                                                  Page 1 of 77
    
<PAGE>

                                USAA MUTUAL FUND, INC.


                                CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

                                        PART A

FORM N-1A ITEM NO...................    SECTION IN PROSPECTUS

1.      Cover Page..................    Same

2.      Synopsis....................    Fees and Expenses

3.      Condensed Financial 
           Information..............    Financial Highlights
                                        Performance Information

4.      General Description 
           of Registrant............    Fund Investments
                                        Description of Shares
                                        Appendix A
   
5.      Management of the Fund......    Fund and Portfolio Management
                                        Back Cover Page
    
6.      Capital Stock and Other 
           Securities...............    Shareholder Information
                                        Description of Shares

7.      Purchase of Securities 
           Being Offered............    How to Invest
                                        Important Information About Purchases
                                         and Redemptions
                                        Exchanges
                                        Shareholder Information

8.      Redemption or Repurchase....    How to Invest
                                        Important Information About Purchases
                                         and Redemptions
                                        Exchanges

9.      Legal Proceedings...........    Not Applicable

<PAGE>

                            USAA MUTUAL FUND, INC.


                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

                                        Part B


FORM N-1A ITEM NO.                      SECTION IN STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL 
                                          INFORMATION

10.     Cover Page..................    Same

11.     Table of Contents...........    Same

12.     General Information and 
           History..................    Not Applicable
   
13.     Investment Objectives 
           and Policies.............    Investment Policies
                                        Investment Restrictions
                                        Portfolio Transactions and
                                         Brokerage Commissions

14.      Management of the 
           Registrant...............    Directors and Officers of the Company
                                        Trustees and Officers of the Portfolio

15.     Control Persons and 
           Principal Holders
           of Securities............    Directors and Officers of the Company
                                        Trustees and Officers of the Portfolio

16.     Investment Advisory and 
           Other Services...........    Directors and Officers of the Company
                                        Investment Adviser
                                        Administrator
                                        General Information

17.     Brokerage Allocation and 
           Other Practices..........    Portfolio Transactions and
                                        Brokerage Commissions
    
18.     Capital Stock and Other 
           Securities...............    Further Description of Shares

19.     Purchase, Redemption and 
           Pricing of Securities 
           Being Offered............    Valuation of Securities
                                        Conditions of Purchase and Redemption
                                        Additional Information Regarding 
                                         Redemption of Shares
                                        Investment Plans

20.     Tax Status..................    Tax Considerations

21.     Underwriters................    General Information

22.     Calculation of Performance
           Data.....................    Calculation of Performance Data

23.     Financial Statements........    General Information

<PAGE>

                                    Part A


   
                              Prospectus for the

                              S&P 500 Index Fund

                              is included herein

                 Not included in this Post-Effective Amendment
                         are the Prospectuses for the
          Aggressive Growth Fund, Growth Fund, Growth & Income Fund,
             Income Stock Fund, Income Fund, Short-Term Bond Fund,
                    Money Market Fund, Science & Technology Fund, 
                          and First Start Growth Fund.

    
<PAGE>

                                 USAA S&P 500
                                   INDEX FUND

                                  Prospectus
                                  May 1, 1998

The  Fund is a  no-load  mutual  fund  offered  by USAA  Investment  Management
Company.  USAA will seek to provide  investment  results that, before expenses,
correspond to the total return of common stocks  publicly  traded in the United
States, as represented by the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index
(S&P 500 or Index).

THE FUND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS  OBJECTIVE  BY  INVESTING  ALL OF ITS  INVESTABLE
ASSETS IN THE  EQUITY  500 INDEX  PORTFOLIO  (PORTFOLIO),  WHICH IS A  SEPARATE
MUTUAL FUND  ADVISED BY BANKERS  TRUST  COMPANY  WITH AN  IDENTICAL  INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE.  THE INVESTMENT  PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND WILL CORRESPOND DIRECTLY TO
THE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO.

SHARES OF THIS FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY,
THE USAA  FEDERAL  SAVINGS  BANK,  ARE NOT  INSURED  BY THE  FDIC OR ANY  OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY, ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISKS, AND MAY LOSE VALUE.

AS WITH  OTHER  MUTUAL  FUNDS,  THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT BEEN  APPROVED  OR
DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  (SEC) NOR HAS THE SEC
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                    Who Manages the Fund?................   2
                    What is the Investment Objective?....   2
                    What is the S&P 500 Index?...........   2
                    Is This Fund for You?................   2
                    How Do You Buy?......................   3
                    Fees and Expenses....................   3
                    Financial Highlights.................   4
                    Performance Information..............   4
                    Will the Value of Your
                      Investment Fluctuate?..............   5
                    A Word About Risk....................   6
                    Fund Investments.....................   7
                    Fund and Portfolio
                      Management.........................  12
                    Using Mutual Funds in an
                      Invstment Program..................  15
                    How to Invest........................  16
                    Important Information About
                      Purchases and Redemption...........  19
                    Exchanges............................  20
                    Shareholder Information..............  20
                    Description of Shares................  22
                    Appendix A...........................  24
                    Appendix B...........................  26

<PAGE>

THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU INVEST IN THE
FUND. PLEASE READ IT AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

WHO MANAGES THE FUND?

USAA Investment  Management Company manages the Fund. For easier reading,  USAA
Investment  Management  Company  will be  referred  to as "we"  throughout  the
Prospectus.

WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?

The Fund's investment  objective is to seek to provide investment results that,
before  expenses,  correspond to the total return  (i.e.,  the  combination  of
capital  changes and  income) of common  stocks  publicly  traded in the United
States as  represented  by the S&P 500 (1). See FUND  INVESTMENTS on page 7 for
more information.

WHAT IS THE S&P 500 INDEX?

The S&P 500 Index is a  well-known  stock  market  index that  includes  common
stocks  of  500  companies  from  several  industrial  sectors  representing  a
significant portion of the market value of all common stocks publicly traded in
the United States, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. See
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE S&P 500 INDEX on page 11.

IS THIS FUND FOR YOU?

This Fund might be appropriate as part of your investment portfolio if . . .

o   You are looking for a convenient and cost-efficient means of investing in a
    portfolio that generally reflects the performance of the stock market.
o   You can afford to ride out both  favorable and  unfavorable  changes in the
    stock market.
o   You are willing to accept moderate risk.

This Fund MAY NOT be appropriate as part of your investment portfolio if . . .

o   You need steady income.
o   You are unwilling to take greater risk for long-term goals. 
o   You are unable or reluctant to invest for a period of five years or more.
o   You need an investment that provides tax-free income.

If you feel this Fund is not the one for you,  refer to  APPENDIX  B on page 26
for a complete list of the USAA Family of No-Load Mutual Funds.

- ------------------
1 "Standard & Poor's  (R)," "S&P (R),"  "Standard & Poor's 500," "S&P 500 (R),"
and "500" are  trademarks  of The  McGraw-Hill  Companies,  Inc.  and have been
licensed for use by Bankers Trust Company.

                                       2
<PAGE>

HOW DO YOU BUY?

You may make your initial investment directly by mail, in person or, in certain
instances,  by telephone.  The minimum initial investment is $3,000 [$2,000 for
IRAs] and can be made by check or by wire. There is more information  about how
to purchase Fund shares on page 16.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This summary  shows what it will cost you directly or  indirectly  to invest in
the Fund.  The Board of Directors of USAA Mutual Fund,  Inc., of which the Fund
is a series, believes that the aggregate per share expenses of the Fund and the
Equity 500 Index Portfolio (Portfolio) will be less than or approximately equal
to the expenses which the Fund would incur if the investable assets (Assets) of
the Fund were invested  directly in the types of  securities  being held by the
Portfolio.

Shareholder Transaction Expenses -- Fees You Pay Directly

There are no fees  charged to your  account  when you buy or sell Fund  shares.
However,  if you sell shares and request your money by wire transfer,  you will
pay a $10 fee. (Your bank may also charge a fee for receiving wires.)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses -- Fees You Pay Indirectly

Fund  expenses  come out of the Fund's  assets and are  reflected in the Fund's
share price and dividends.  "Other Expenses" include expenses such as custodian
and legal  fees.  The  figures  below are actual  expenditures  of the Fund and
Portfolio combined during the past fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, and are
calculated as a percentage of average net assets (ANA).

Investment Advisory Fees, net of reimbursements   .05%     12B-1 FEES -
12b-1 Fees                                        None     SOME MUTUAL FUNDS
Other Expenses, net of reimbursements             .13%     CHARGE THESE FEES TO
                                                  ----     PAY FOR ADVERTISING
Total Operating Expenses, net of reimbursements   .18%     AND OTHER COSTS OF
                                                  ====     SELLING FUND SHARES.
                                                           
We are  entitled  to  receive  fees from the Fund only to the  extent  that the
aggregate annual operating expenses of the Fund and the Portfolio do not exceed
 .18% of the Fund's  ANA,  and we will  reimburse  the Fund for any  expenses in
excess of this limitation. In addition,  Bankers Trust Company (Bankers Trust),
which provides  various  services to the Portfolio,  has voluntarily  agreed to
limit the Portfolio's  expenses to .08% of the Portfolio's  ANA. The Investment
Advisory Fees,  Other Expenses,  and Total Operating  Expenses reflect all such
commitments by us and Bankers  Trust.  Absent such  commitments,  the amount of
Investment  Advisory Fees,  Other Expenses,  and Total Operating  Expenses as a
percentage of the Fund's ANA would have been .10%, .15% and .25%, respectively.

                                       3
<PAGE>

USAA Shareholder  Account Services,  the Fund's transfer agent,  assesses a $10
annual  account  maintenance  fee to  allocate  part  of  the  fixed  costs  of
maintaining  shareholder  accounts equally to all accounts.  We will waive this
fee if you maintain an account  balance of $10,000 or more. The fee is deducted
from  your  dividends  paid at a rate of $2.50  per  quarter.  See  SHAREHOLDER
INFORMATION on page 20 for further information.

Example of Effect of Fund Operating Expenses

You  would  pay the  following  expenses  on a $1,000  investment  in the Fund,
assuming  (1) 5% annual  return and (2)  redemption  at the end of the  periods
shown.

                        1 year        $ 2
                        3 years         6
                        5 years        10
                       10 years        23

THIS  EXAMPLE IS NOT A  REPRESENTATION  OF PAST OR FUTURE  EXPENSES  AND ACTUAL
EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Please  read the  Fund's  Annual  Report  furnished  with  this  Prospectus  or
previously  mailed to you.  The Annual  Report  contains  the Fund's  financial
statements, including financial highlights audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
which are  legally a part of this  Prospectus.  The  Annual  Report  includes a
message  from the  President,  a listing of the  Portfolio's  investments,  and
additional performance information that you may wish to review.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

                              [TELEPHONE GRAPHIC]
                                 TouchLINE (R)
                                 1-800-531-8777
                                     PRESS
                                       1
                                      THEN
                                       1
                                      THEN
                                     3 4 #

                                NEWSPAPER SYMBOL
                                     S&PIDX

                                 TICKER SYMBOL
                                     USSPX

Please  consider  performance  information  in light of the  Fund's  investment
objective and policies and market  conditions during the reported time periods.
Remember, historical performance does not necessarily indicate what will happen
in the future. The value of your shares may go up or down. For the most current
price and return  information  for this  Fund,  you may call  TouchLINE  (R) at
1-800-531-8777.  Press 1 for the Mutual Fund Menu, press 1 again for prices and
returns. Then, press 34# when asked for a Fund Code.

You can also find the most current price of your shares in the business section
of your newspaper in the mutual fund section under the heading "USAA Group" and
the symbol  "S&PIdx." If you prefer to obtain this  information from an on-line
computer service, you can do so by using the ticker symbol "USSPX."

                                       4
<PAGE>

You may see the Fund's total return quoted in advertisements  and reports.  All
mutual funds must use the same formula to calculate total return.  Total return
measures the price change in a share assuming the  reinvestment of all dividend
income and capital gain  distributions.  You may also see a  comparison  of the
Fund's  performance  to that of other  mutual  funds  with  similar  investment
objectives and to stock or relevant indexes, such as the S&P 500.

For the following periods ended March 31, 1998, the Fund's average annual total
returns have been:

               1 Year                          __.__%
               Since Inception on May 1, 1996  __.__%

EXCLUDES $10 ACCOUNT  MAINTENANCE  FEE, WHICH IS WAIVED FOR ACCOUNTS OF $10,000
OR MORE.

Figures  on page 6 are  different  because  they are for  periods  which  ended
December 31, 1997.

WILL THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT FLUCTUATE?

Yes, it will.  The  Portfolio  invests in a  portfolio  of  securities  that is
representative  of the stock  market as a whole.  The value of your  investment
will  fluctuate  with  the  changing  market  value of the  investments  in the
Portfolio. You may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares.

Because the Fund has only been operating since May 1996, the Fund's  volatility
may best be illustrated through the use of the following bar chart, which shows
the performance of the S&P 500 Index itself, and not the Fund, for the past ten
years. Keep in mind that the performance of the S&P 500 Index is a hypothetical
number which does not take into account  brokerage  commissions and other costs
of investing,  unlike the Portfolio, which must bear these costs. Under the bar
chart is a table that  shows how the  Fund's  average  annual  returns  for the
one-year  period  and life of the Fund  compare  to those of the S&P 500  Index
itself.  The bar chart  should not be  considered  as a  representation  of the
Fund's past or future  performance,  and the table should not be considered any
indication of future performance.

                                       5
<PAGE>

[BAR CHART]
STANDARD & POOR'S COMPOSITE PRICE INDEX*

                    CALENDAR         TOTAL RETURN
                     YEAR            PERCENTAGE
                     
                     1988               16.56
                     1989               31.62
                     1990               -3.10
                     1991               30.40
                     1992                7.61
                     1993               10.04
                     1994                1.32
                     1995               37.54
                     1996               22.94
                     1997               33.35

*CHART  REFLECTS  PERFORMANCE  OF THE S&P  500  ITSELF,  AND  NOT  THE  FUND OR
PORTFOLIO.  SOURCE: BLOOMBERG. TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE S&P 500 INCLUDE THE CHANGE
IN PRICE OF S&P 500 STOCKS AND ASSUME REINVESTMENT OF ALL DIVIDENDS PAID BY S&P
500 STOCKS.

==========================================================================
                                                             Since Fund's
Average Annual Total Returns                     Past        Inception on
(for the periods ending December 31, 1997)      1 Year       May 1, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index Fund**                            33.03%         29.70%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index                                   33.35%         29.24%
==========================================================================

**EXCLUDES $10 ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE FEE, WHICH IS WAIVED FOR ACCOUNTS OF $10,000
OR MORE.

A WORD ABOUT RISK

Portions of this Prospectus  describe the risks you will face as an investor in
the  Fund.  Keep in mind that  generally  investments  with a higher  potential
reward also have a higher risk of losing money.  The reverse is also  generally
true:  the lower the risk,  the lower the  potential  reward.  However,  as you
consider an  investment  in the Fund,  you should also take into  account  your
tolerance for the daily  fluctuations of the financial  markets and whether you
can afford to leave your money in this  investment  for long periods of time to
ride out down periods.

[CAUTION LIGHT GRAPHIC]
Look for this symbol  throughout  the  Prospectus.  We use it to mark  detailed
information about the main risks that you will face as a Fund shareholder.

                                       6
<PAGE>

FUND INVESTMENTS

Investment Policies and Risks

Q   What is the Fund's investment policy?

A   Unlike  other  mutual  funds which  directly  acquire and manage  their own
    portfolio securities, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
    investing all of its Assets in the Equity 500 Index Portfolio  (Portfolio),
    a separate registered investment company with the same investment objective
    as the Fund.  Therefore,  your  interest in the  Portfolio's  securities is
    indirect,  and the investment  characteristics  of the Fund will correspond
    directly to those of the  Portfolio.  This type of  arrangement is commonly
    referred to as a master-feeder structure.

                                 HOW A MASTER-
                               FEEDER STRUCTURE
                                  OPERATES--
                                YOU BUY SHARES
                                  IN THE FUND
                                 [DOWN ARROW]
                                   THE FUND
                                  INVESTS IN
                                 THE PORTFOLIO
                                 [DOWN ARROW]
                                 THE PORTFOLIO
                                  INVESTS IN
                                    S&P 500
                                  STOCKS AND
                               OTHER SECURITIES

Q   How do funds in a master-feeder structure operate?

A   The  Portfolio is  considered a master fund,  and the Fund is  considered a
    feeder fund. In addition to selling a beneficial  interest to the Fund, the
    Portfolio may sell  beneficial  interests to other feeder funds,  typically
    mutual funds or  institutional  investors.  All feeder funds will invest in
    the  Portfolio  under  the  same  terms  and  conditions  and  will  pay  a
    proportionate share of the Portfolio's expenses.  However, each feeder fund
    investing  in the  Portfolio  may  have  different  sales  commissions  and
    operating  expenses.  Therefore,  investors in  different  feeder funds may
    experience different returns.

[CAUTION LIGHT GRAPHIC]
MASTER-FEEDER  STRUCTURE RISK.  Smaller feeder funds investing in the Portfolio
may be materially  affected by the actions of larger feeder funds  investing in
the  Portfolio.  For  example,  if a  large  feeder  fund  withdraws  from  the
Portfolio,  the  remaining  funds  may  experience  higher  pro rata  operating
expenses,  thereby producing lower returns (however, this possibility exists as
well  for   traditionally-structured   funds  which  have  large  institutional
investors).  Additionally,  the Portfolio may become less diverse, resulting in
increased  portfolio risk. Also, feeder funds with a greater pro rata ownership
in the Portfolio  could have effective  voting control of the operations of the
Portfolio.

                                       7
<PAGE>

Q   How is the Portfolio managed?

A   The Portfolio is not managed  according to traditional  methods of "active"
    investment  management,  which involve the buying and selling of securities
    based  upon  economic,   financial,  and  market  analyses  and  investment
    judgment.  Instead,  the  Portfolio  utilizes  a  "passive"  or  "indexing"
    investment  approach  in  an  attempt  to  mirror,  before  expenses,   the
    performance of the S&P 500.

Q   What is the Portfolio's investment policy?

A   Under  normal  conditions,  the  Portfolio  will invest at least 80% of its
    assets in common stocks of companies  which compose the S&P 500. In seeking
    to mirror the  performance of the S&P 500,  Bankers Trust,  the Portfolio's
    investment  adviser,  will attempt  over time to allocate  the  Portfolio's
    investments among common stocks in approximately the same weightings as the
    S&P 500, beginning with the heaviest-weighted  stocks that make up a larger
    portion of the Index's  value.  Over the long term,  Bankers  Trust seeks a
    correlation between the performance of the Portfolio,  before expenses, and
    that of the S&P 500 of 0.98 or  better.  A figure  of 1.00  would  indicate
    perfect correlation. In the unlikely event that the targeted correlation is
    not achieved,  the Portfolio's Board of Trustees will consider  alternative
    structures.

Q   How will Bankers Trust attempt to achieve the Portfolio's objective?

A   Bankers Trust utilizes a two-stage  sampling approach in seeking to achieve
    its objective.

    o   Stage One -  encompasses  large  capitalization  stocks to maintain the
        stock holdings at or near their benchmark weights. Large cap stocks are
        defined as those securities which represent 0.10% or more of the Index.

    o   Stage  Two  -  analyzes   and  selects   smaller   stocks   using  risk
        characteristics  and industry  weights in order to match the sector and
        risk characteristics of the smaller companies in the S&P 500.

    This approach helps to maximize portfolio liquidity while minimizing costs.
    Bankers Trust  generally will seek to match the composition of the S&P 500,
    but usually will not invest the  Portfolio's  stock portfolio to mirror the
    Index exactly.

                                       8
<PAGE>

    Because of the difficulty and expense of executing  relatively  small stock
    transactions,  the Portfolio may not always be invested in the less heavily
    weighted  S&P 500  stocks,  and may at times  have its  portfolio  weighted
    differently from the S&P 500, particularly if the Portfolio has a low level
    of assets.  When the Portfolio's size is greater,  Bankers Trust expects to
    purchase more of the stocks in the S&P 500 to match the relative  weighting
    of the S&P 500 more closely,  and  anticipates  that the Portfolio  will be
    able to mirror, before expenses, the performance of the S&P 500 with little
    variance.  Since the  Portfolio  seeks to track the S&P 500,  Bankers Trust
    generally will not attempt to judge the merits of any  particular  stock as
    an  investment.  In addition,  the Portfolio may omit or remove any S&P 500
    stock from the Portfolio if, following  objective  criteria,  Bankers Trust
    judges the stock to be  insufficiently  liquid or believes the merit of the
    investment  has been  substantially  impaired  by  extraordinary  events or
    financial conditions.

    Bankers  Trust  will not  purchase  the  stock of  Bankers  Trust  New York
    Corporation,  which is included in the Index,  and instead will  overweight
    its holdings of companies engaged in similar businesses.

Q   Will the Portfolio purchase other types of securities?

A   Under normal  conditions,  Bankers  Trust will attempt to invest as much of
    the Portfolio's assets as is practical in common stocks included in the S&P
    500.  However,  the  Portfolio  may  maintain  up to 20% of its  assets  in
    short-term debt instruments  hedged with stock index futures and options to
    meet redemption requests or to facilitate the investment in common stocks.

    For a description of the futures and options the Portfolio may use and some
    of their associated risks, see APPENDIX A on page 24.

Q   When would the Portfolio invest in short-term debt instruments?

A   In  light  of its  objective  and  long-term  investment  perspective,  the
    Portfolio intends to stay invested in the securities described above to the
    extent practical.  However, to meet anticipated redemptions and expenses or
    for day-to-day  operating purposes,  the Portfolio's assets may be invested
    in short-term debt instruments with

                                       9
<PAGE>

    remaining maturities of 397 days or less. These short-term instruments will
    consist of the following:

    o   short-term   obligations   of  the  U.S.   Government,   its  agencies,
        instrumentalities, authorities, or political subdivisions;

    o   other  short-term  debt  securities  rated  Aa  or  higher  by  Moody's
        Investors Service,  Inc. (Moody's) or AA or higher by Standard & Poor's
        Ratings  Group  (S&P) or, if  unrated,  of  comparable  quality  in the
        opinion of Bankers Trust;

    o   commercial paper;

    o   bank obligations,  including negotiable  certificates of deposit,  time
        deposits, and bankers' acceptances; and

    o   repurchase agreements.

    At the time the Portfolio invests in commercial paper, bank obligations, or
    repurchase  agreements,  the  issuer  or  the  issuer's  parent  must  have
    outstanding  debt  rated Aa or higher by  Moody's or AA or higher by S&P or
    outstanding  commercial paper or bank obligations  rated Prime-1 by Moody's
    or A-1 by S&P. If no such ratings are available,  the instrument must be of
    comparable quality in the opinion of Bankers Trust.

[CAUTION LIGHT GRAPHIC]
CASH  FLOW  RISK.  The  ability  of the Fund and the  Portfolio  to meet  their
investment objective depends to some extent on the cash flow experienced by the
Fund  and  by the  other  investors  in  the  Portfolio,  since  purchases  and
redemptions by shareholders of the Fund will generally require the Portfolio to
purchase or sell  securities.  Bankers  Trust will make  investment  changes to
accommodate cash flow in an attempt to maintain the similarity of the Portfolio
to the S&P 500.

When the Portfolio  has cash from new  purchases  into the Portfolio or holds a
portion of its assets in short-term instruments,  it may enter into stock index
futures or options to attempt to increase  its  exposure  to the stock  market.
Strategies  the  Portfolio  could use to  accomplish  this  include  purchasing
futures contracts,  writing put options, and purchasing call options.  When the
Portfolio  wishes to sell  securities,  because of  shareholder  redemptions or
otherwise,  it may use stock index futures or options  thereon to hedge against
market risk until the sale can be  completed.  These  strategies  could include
selling and buying futures contracts,  writing call options, and purchasing put
options.

[CAUTION LIGHT GRAPHIC]
INVESTMENTS IN OPTIONS AND FUTURES. Bankers Trust will choose among futures and
options  strategies  based on its judgment of how best to meet the  Portfolio's
goals. In selecting  these  derivative  instruments,  Bankers Trust will assess
such factors as current and anticipated  stock prices,  relative  liquidity and
price levels in the options and futures markets compared to the

                                      10
<PAGE>

securities markets, and the Portfolio's cash flow and cash management needs. If
Bankers  Trust judges these  factors  incorrectly,  or if price  changes in the
Portfolio's futures and options positions are not well correlated with those of
its other  investments,  the Portfolio  could be hindered in the pursuit of its
objective and could suffer losses.  The Portfolio could also be exposed to risk
if it could  not close out its  futures  or  options  positions  because  of an
illiquid secondary market.

Q   Could the Fund withdraw its interest in the Portfolio?

A   Yes, the Fund may withdraw its  investment  from the Portfolio at any time,
    if the Board of Directors determines that it is in the best interest of the
    shareholders  of the  Fund to do so.  Certain  changes  in the  Portfolio's
    investment  objective,  policies,  or restrictions  may require the Fund to
    withdraw its interest in the Portfolio.  Upon any such withdrawal, we would
    become  responsible  for  directly  managing  the  Assets of the  Fund.  In
    addition,  the Board of Directors may consider  other actions that might be
    taken,  including  investing  all of the Fund's  Assets in  another  pooled
    investment  entity having the same  investment  objective as the Fund.  Any
    such  withdrawal,  however,  could  result in a  distribution  "in kind" of
    portfolio   securities  (as  opposed  to  a  cash   distribution  from  the
    Portfolio).  If securities are distributed,  the Fund generally would incur
    brokerage, tax, or other charges in converting the securities to cash.

Additional Information on the S&P 500 Index

                                    MARKET
                                CAPITALIZATION
                                    EQUALS
                                  # OF SHARES
                                  OUTSTANDING
                                 MULTIPLIED BY
                                  THE STOCK'S
                                 CURRENT PRICE

Stocks in the S&P 500 are weighted  according  to their  market  capitalization
(I.E.,  the number of shares  outstanding  multiplied  by the  stock's  current
price).  Bankers  Trust  believes  that  the  performance  of  the  S&P  500 is
representative  of the performance of publicly traded common stocks in general.
The  composition  of the S&P 500 is  determined  by S&P  and is  based  on such
factors as the market capitalization and trading activity of each stock and its
adequacy as a representation  of stocks in a particular  industry group and may
be changed from time to time.

The Fund and the Portfolio are not  sponsored,  endorsed,  sold, or promoted by
S&P. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners
of the  Fund  or the  Portfolio  or any  member  of the  public  regarding  the
advisability  of  investing  in  securities  generally  or in the  Fund and the
Portfolio  particularly  or the ability of the S&P 500 to track  general  stock
market performance. S&P does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness
of the S&P 500 or any data included therein.

                                      11
<PAGE>

S&P makes no warranty,  express or implied, as to the results to be obtained by
the Fund or the Portfolio,  owners of the Fund or the  Portfolio,  or any other
person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 or any data included therein.  S&P
makes no express or implied warranties and hereby expressly  disclaims all such
warranties of  merchantability  or fitness for a particular purpose or use with
respect to the S&P 500 or any data included therein.

Investment Restrictions

The following restrictions may only be changed with shareholder approval:

o   The  Portfolio  may not  invest  more than 25% of its  total  assets in one
    industry.

o   The  Portfolio  may not invest more than 5% of its total  assets in any one
    issuer or own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
    issuer. This limitation does not apply to U.S. Government  securities,  and
    only applies to 75% of the Portfolio's total assets.

o   The  Portfolio  may borrow only for  temporary or emergency  purposes in an
    amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets.

You  will  find a  complete  listing  of the  Fund's  and  Portfolio's  precise
investment restrictions in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

FUND AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

The Board of Directors of USAA Mutual Fund, Inc.  (Company),  of which the Fund
is a series, supervises the business affairs of the Company, while the business
affairs  of the  Portfolio  are  subject  to the  supervision  of its  Board of
Trustees. No Director of the Company also serves as a Trustee of the Portfolio.

USAA Investment Management Company

The Company has retained us, USAA Investment  Management  Company,  to serve as
the manager, investment adviser, and distributor for the Company.

We are an affiliate of United Services Automobile  Association (USAA), a large,
diversified financial services institution.  As of the date of this Prospectus,
we had approximately $___ billion in total assets under management. Our mailing
address is 9800 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78288.

We provide  certain  management  services to the Fund. We are  responsible  for
monitoring the services provided to the Portfolio by Bankers Trust,  subject to
the  authority of and  supervision  by the  Company's  Board of  Directors.  We
receive no fee for providing these monitoring  services.  However, in the event
the Company's Board of Directors  determines it is in the best interests of the
Fund's  shareholders  to withdraw its investment in the Portfolio,  we would be
responsible  for directly  managing the assets of the Fund. In such event,  the
Fund would pay us an annual fee of one-tenth of one percent (.10%)

                                      12
<PAGE>
of average net assets, accrued daily and paid monthly. We also provide services
related to selling  the Fund's  shares and  receive no  compensation  for those
services.

Although  our  officers and  employees,  as well as those of the  Company,  may
engage  in  personal  securities  transactions,  they  are  restricted  by  the
procedures in a Joint Code of Ethics adopted by the Company and us.

Bankers Trust Company

At the  present  time,  the  Company  seeks to achieve  the  Fund's  investment
objective by investing  all the Fund's Assets in the  Portfolio.  The Portfolio
has retained  the  services of Bankers  Trust as  investment  adviser.  Bankers
Trust, a New York banking  corporation  with  principal  offices at 130 Liberty
Street, New York, New York 10006, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bankers Trust
New York  Corporation.  Bankers Trust conducts a variety of general banking and
trust activities and is a major wholesale supplier of financial services to the
international and domestic  institutional  markets.  Investment management is a
core business of Bankers Trust with  approximately $300 billion in assets under
management globally as of December 31, 1997. Of that total,  approximately $148
billion are in U.S. equity index assets.

Under its Investment Advisory Agreement,  Bankers Trust receives a fee from the
Portfolio,  computed daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of .10% (before
waiver) of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio.

Bankers  Trust has been  advised by its counsel  that,  in  counsel's  opinion,
Bankers  Trust  currently  may  perform  the  services  for the Company and the
Portfolio  described  in  this  Prospectus  and  the  Statement  of  Additional
Information  without  violation of the  Glass-Steagall  Act or other applicable
banking laws or regulations.

Portfolio Turnover

The frequency of portfolio  transactions - the Portfolio's turnover rate - will
vary from year to year depending on market  conditions and the Portfolio's cash
flows. The Portfolio's annual turnover rate is not expected to exceed 100%. The
Portfolio's turnover rates for the years ended December 31, 1997, and 1996 were
19% and 15%, respectively.

Portfolio Transactions

Bankers  Trust,  subject to the  supervision  and direction of the  Portfolio's
Board  of  Trustees,   manages  the  Portfolio  according  to  the  Portfolio's
investment   objectives  and  stated  investment  policies,   makes  investment
decisions for the Portfolio,  places orders to purchase and sell securities and
other   financial   instruments  on  behalf  of  the  Portfolio,   and  employs
professional investment managers and securities analysts who provide

                                      13
<PAGE>

research services to the Portfolio.  Bankers Trust may utilize the expertise of
any of its  worldwide  subsidiaries  and  affiliates  to  assist in its role as
investment  adviser.  All orders for investment  transactions  on behalf of the
Portfolio are placed by Bankers Trust with  broker-dealers  and other financial
intermediaries that it selects,  including those affiliated with Bankers Trust.
A Bankers Trust affiliate will be used in connection with a purchase or sale of
an  investment  for the  Portfolio  only if  Bankers  Trust  believes  that the
affiliate's  charge for the  transaction  does not exceed  usual and  customary
levels. The Portfolio will not invest in obligations for which Bankers Trust or
any of its affiliates is the ultimate  obligor or accepting bank. The Portfolio
may,  however,  invest in the  obligations of  correspondents  and customers of
Bankers Trust.

Portfolio Manager

Frank  Salerno,  Managing  Director of Bankers Trust,  is  responsible  for the
day-to-day  management  of the  Portfolio.  Mr.  Salerno  has been  employed at
Bankers  Trust  since 1981 and has  managed the  Portfolio's  assets  since the
Portfolio commenced operations.

Administrator

Under the  Administration  Agreement  with the Fund, we calculate the net asset
value of the Fund and generally  assist the Company's Board of Directors in all
aspects of the  administration  and operation of the Fund.  The  Administration
Agreement  provides  for the  Fund to pay us a fee,  computed  daily  and  paid
monthly, at an annual rate equal to the lesser of (1) .06% of the average daily
net  assets  of the Fund or (2) the  amount  that  brings  the  total  Fund and
Portfolio annual  operating  expenses as a percentage of the Fund's average net
assets up to .18%. We may also delegate one or more of our  responsibilities to
others, at our expense.

Under an  Administration  and Services  Agreement with the  Portfolio,  Bankers
Trust calculates the value of the assets of the Portfolio and generally assists
the  Portfolio's  Board of Trustees in all  aspects of the  administration  and
operation of the Portfolio.  The Administration and Services Agreement provides
for the Portfolio to pay Bankers Trust a fee,  computed daily and paid monthly,
at the rate of .05%  (before  waiver)  of the  average  daily net assets of the
Portfolio.  Bankers Trust may also delegate one or more of its responsibilities
to others,  at Bankers Trust's expense.  See  ADMINISTRATOR in the Statement of
Additional Information for further information.

                                      14
<PAGE>

USING MUTUAL FUNDS IN AN INVESTMENT PROGRAM

I. The Idea Behind Mutual Funds

Mutual funds provide small investors some of the advantages  enjoyed by wealthy
investors.  A  relatively  small  investment  can  buy  part  of a  diversified
portfolio. That portfolio is managed by investment professionals, relieving you
of the  need to make  individual  stock  or bond  selections.  You  also  enjoy
conveniences,  such as daily  pricing,  liquidity,  and in the case of the USAA
Family of Funds, no sales charge. The portfolio, because of its size, has lower
transaction  costs on its trades than most individuals would have. As a result,
you own an investment  that in earlier times would have been  available only to
very wealthy people.

II. Using Funds in an Investment Program

In  choosing a mutual  fund as an  investment  vehicle,  you are giving up some
investment decisions,  but must still make others. The decisions you don't have
to make are those involved with choosing individual  securities.  An investment
adviser  will  perform  that  function.  In  addition,  we will arrange for the
safekeeping of securities,  auditing the annual financial statements, and daily
valuation of the Fund, as well as other functions.

You,  however,  retain  at  least  part of the  responsibility  for an  equally
important  decision.  This decision involves  determining a portfolio of mutual
funds that balances your  investment  goals with your tolerance for risk. It is
likely that this decision may include the use of more than one fund of the USAA
Family of Funds.

For example,  assume you wish to invest in a  widely-diversified,  common stock
portfolio.  You could  combine  an  investment  in the S&P 500 Index  Fund with
investments  in other  mutual  funds  that  invest in stocks of large and small
companies  and  high-dividend  stocks.  This is just one way you could  combine
funds to fit your own risk and reward goals.

III. USAA's Family of Funds

We offer you another  alternative  with our asset  strategy  funds listed under
asset allocation on page 26. These unique mutual funds provide a professionally
managed  diversified  investment  portfolio  within  a  mutual  fund.  They are
designed  for the  individual  who  prefers to  delegate  the asset  allocation
process to an investment manager and are structured to achieve  diversification
across a number of investment categories.

                                      15
<PAGE>

Whether you prefer to create  your own mix of mutual  funds or use a USAA Asset
Strategy  Fund,  the USAA  Family of Funds  provides  a broad  range of choices
covering  just  about  any   investor's   investment   objectives.   Our  sales
representatives  stand  ready to assist you with your  choices  and to help you
craft a portfolio to meet your needs.

HOW TO INVEST

Purchase of Shares

OPENING AN ACCOUNT

You may open an account and make an investment  as described  below by mail, in
person,  bank wire,  electronic  funds  transfer  (EFT),  or phone. A complete,
signed application is required for each new account.

TAX ID NUMBER

Each shareholder  named on the account must provide a social security number or
tax identification number to avoid possible withholding requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE

When you make a purchase, your purchase price will be the net asset value (NAV)
per share next  determined  after we  receive  your  request in proper  form as
described  below.  The Fund's  NAV is  determined  at the close of the  regular
trading  session  (generally  4:00  p.m.  Eastern  Time) of the New York  Stock
Exchange  (NYSE) each day the NYSE is open. If we receive your request prior to
that time,  your purchase  price will be the NAV per share  determined for that
day. If we receive  your  request  after the NAV per share is  calculated,  the
purchase  will be effective on the next  business  day. If you plan to purchase
Fund shares with a foreign check,  we suggest you convert your foreign check to
U.S.  dollars prior to investment in the Fund to avoid a potential delay in the
effective date of your purchase of up to four to six weeks. Furthermore, a bank
charge may be assessed in the clearing process, which will be deducted from the
amount of the purchase.

MINIMUM INVESTMENTS

INITIAL PURCHASE       
[MONEY GRAPHIC]

o   $3,000 [$2,000 for IRAs]

ADDITIONAL PURCHASES   

o   $50.  Employees of USAA and its  affiliated  companies  may open an account
    through payroll deduction for as little as $25 per pay period with a $3,000
    initial investment.

                                      16
<PAGE>

HOW TO PURCHASE

MAIL
[ENVELOPE GRAPHIC]

o   To open an account, send your application and check to:
        USAA Investment Management Company
        9800 Fredericksburg Road
        San Antonio, TX 78288
o   To add to your account,  send your check and the "Invest by Mail" stub that
    accompanies your Fund's transaction confirmation to the Transfer Agent:
        USAA Shareholder Account Services 
        9800 Fredericksburg Road 
        San Antonio, TX 78288  

IN PERSON           
[PEOPLE GRAPHIC]              
o   To open an account, bring your application and check to:
        USAA Investment Management Company 
        USAA Federal Savings Bank 
        10750 Robert F. McDermott Freeway 
        San Antonio, TX

BANK WIRE            
[ENVELOPE WIRE GRAPHIC]              
                              
o   Instruct  your bank  (which may charge a fee for the  service)  to wire the
    specified amount to the Fund as follows:  
        State Street Bank and Trust Company 
        Boston, MA 02101
        ABA#011000028 
        Attn: USAA S&P 500 Index Fund
        USAA Account Number: 69384998 
        Shareholder(s) Name(s)____________________________
        Shareholder(s) Account Number_____________________

ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER               
[CALENDAR GRAPHIC]     

o   Additional  purchases  on a  regular  basis  can  be  deducted  from a bank
    account, paycheck,  income-producing  investment, or USAA money market fund
    account.  Sign up for  these  services  when  opening  an  account  or call
    1-800-531-8448 to add these services.

PHONE 1-800-531-8448         
[TELEPHONE GRAPHIC]    

o   If you have an existing  USAA  account and would like to open a new account
    or exchange to another USAA fund, call for instructions. To open an account
    by phone, the new account must have the same  registration as your existing
    account.

                                      17
<PAGE>

Redemption of Shares

You may redeem Fund shares by any of the methods described below on any day the
NAV per share is calculated.  Redemptions are effective on the day instructions
are received in a manner as  described  below.  However,  if  instructions  are
received  after  the NAV per share  calculation  (generally  4:00 p.m.  Eastern
Time), redemption will be effective on the next business day.

Within seven days after the effective date of redemption, we will send you your
money. Payment for redemption of shares purchased by EFT or check is sent after
the EFT or check has cleared,  which could take up to 15 days from the purchase
date. If you are considering  redeeming shares soon after purchase,  you should
purchase by bank wire or certified check to avoid delay.

In  addition,  the  Company may elect to suspend  the  redemption  of shares or
postpone the date of payment in limited circumstances.

HOW TO REDEEM

WRITTEN, FAX, TELEGRAPH, OR TELEPHONE
[FAX MACHINE GRAPHIC]

o   Send your written instructions to:
      USAA Shareholder Account Services
      9800 Fredericksburg Road
      San Antonio, TX 78288
o   Send a signed fax to 1-800-292-8177, or send a telegram to USAA Shareholder
    Account Services.
o   Call toll free 1-800-531-8448, in San Antonio, 456-7202.

Telephone redemption privileges are automatically established when you complete
your application.  The Fund will employ  reasonable  procedures to confirm that
instructions  communicated by telephone are genuine; and if it does not, it may
be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Before
any discussion regarding your account, we obtain the following information: (1)
USAA number or account number, (2) the name(s) on the account registration, and
(3)  social  security  number  or tax  identification  number  for the  account
registration.  In addition, we record all telephone communications with you and
send confirmations of account transactions to the address of record. Redemption
by telephone, fax, or telegram is not available for shares represented by stock
certificates.

                                      18
<PAGE>

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

Investor's Guide to USAA Mutual Fund Services
[BOOK GRAPHIC]

Upon your initial  investment with us, you will receive the INVESTOR'S GUIDE to
help you get the most out of your USAA mutual  fund  account and to help you in
your role as an investor.  In the INVESTOR'S  GUIDE,  you will find  additional
information on purchases,  redemptions,  and methods of payment.  You will also
find in-depth information on automatic investment plans, shareholder statements
and reports, and other useful information.

Company Rights

The Company reserves the right to:

o   reject  purchase  or  exchange  orders  when in the  best  interest  of the
    Company;

o   limit or discontinue the offering of shares of any portfolio of the Company
    without notice to the shareholders;

o   impose a  redemption  charge of up to 1% of the net  asset  value of shares
    redeemed if circumstances indicate a charge is necessary for the protection
    of remaining  investors  (for  example,  if excessive  market-timing  share
    activity unfairly burdens  long-term  investors);  however,  this 1% charge
    will not be imposed upon  shareholders  unless  authorized  by the Board of
    Directors and the required notice has been given to shareholders;

o   require a signature guarantee for transactions or changes in account
    information in those instances where the appropriateness of a signature
    authorization is in question. The Statement of Additional Information
    contains information on acceptable guarantors;

o   redeem an account with less than 10 shares, with certain limitations.

                                      19
<PAGE>

EXCHANGES

Exchange Privilege

The exchange privilege is automatic when you complete your application. You may
exchange  shares  among Funds in the USAA Family of Funds,  provided you do not
hold these shares in stock  certificate  form and the shares to be acquired are
offered  in  your  state  of  residence.   The  Fund's   transfer   agent  will
simultaneously  process exchange  redemptions and purchases at the share prices
next  determined  after the exchange order is received.  For federal income tax
purposes,  an exchange  between Funds is a taxable event;  and as such, you may
realize a capital gain or loss.

The Fund has undertaken certain procedures regarding telephone  transactions as
described on page 18.

Exchange Limitations, Excessive Trading

To  minimize  Fund costs and to protect the Funds and their  shareholders  from
unfair expense burdens,  the Funds restrict excessive  exchanges.  The limit on
exchanges  out of any Fund in the USAA Family of Funds for each  account is six
per calendar  year (except  there is no  limitation on exchanges out of the Tax
Exempt Short-Term Fund,  Short-Term Bond Fund, or any of the money market funds
in the USAA Family of Funds).

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

                                      NAV
                                    EQUALS
                                 TOTAL ASSETS
                                     MINUS
                                  LIABILITIES
                                  DIVIDED BY
                            # OF SHARES OUTSTANDING

Share Price Calculation

The price at which you  purchase  and  redeem  Fund  shares is equal to the net
asset value (NAV) per share determined on the effective date of the purchase or
redemption.  You may buy and sell Fund  shares  at the NAV per share  without a
sales charge. The Funds NAV per share is calculated at the close of the regular
trading session of the NYSE,  which is usually 4:00 p.m.  Eastern Time. The NAV
per share is  calculated  by adding the value of the Funds  assets  (i.e.,  the
value  of  its  investment  in  the  Portfolio  and  other  assets),  deducting
liabilities,  and dividing by the number of shares outstanding.  The Portfolios
securities  and  other  assets  are  valued  primarily  on the  basis of market
quotations or, if quotations are not readily  available,  by a method which the
Portfolios Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value.

Dividends and Distributions

The Fund pays net investment income dividends quarterly.  Any net capital gains
generally will be distributed at least annually.  The Fund will make additional
payments to shareholders,  if necessary, to avoid the imposition of any federal
income or excise tax.

                                      20
<PAGE>

All  income  dividends  and  capital  gain   distributions   are  automatically
reinvested,  unless we receive different instructions from you. The share price
will be the NAV of the Fund shares computed on the ex-dividend date. Any income
dividends  or capital gain  distributions  paid by the Fund will reduce the NAV
per share by the amount of the dividend or  distribution.  These  dividends and
distributions are subject to taxes.

If  your  account  balance  is less  than  $10,000,  the  Transfer  Agent  will
automatically  deduct a $10 annual  account  maintenance  fee from the dividend
income paid to your account.  The $10 account  maintenance fee is deducted at a
rate of $2.50 per quarter from the  dividend.  If the dividend to be paid to an
account is less than the fee to be deducted,  a sufficient number of shares may
be  redeemed  from an account  to make up the  difference.  The annual  account
maintenance fee may be changed upon at least 30 days notice to you.

We will invest any  dividend  or  distribution  payment  returned to us in your
account at the  then-current NAV per share.  Dividend and  distribution  checks
become  void six months  from the date on the  check.  The amount of the voided
check will be invested in your account at the then-current NAV per share.

Federal Taxes

This tax  information  is quite  general and refers to the  federal  income tax
provisions in effect as of the date of this Prospectus.  Note that the recently
enacted Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and regulations that will likely be adopted
to  implement   the  Act  may  affect  the  status  and  treatment  of  certain
distributions  shareholders  receive from the Fund. We urge you to consult your
own tax  adviser  about the status of  distributions  from the Fund in your own
state and locality.

FUND - The Fund  intends to qualify as a  regulated  investment  company  (RIC)
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
As a RIC,  the Fund  will  not be  subject  to  federal  income  tax on its net
investment  income and net  capital  gains  distributed  to  shareholders.  Net
capital gains are those gains in excess of capital losses.

In order to  qualify  as a RIC,  the Fund  must  satisfy  certain  requirements
relating to the sources and distribution of its income and the  diversification
of its assets. In satisfying these requirements,  the Fund will treat itself as
owning its proportionate  share of the Portfolios assets and is entitled to the
income of the Portfolio  properly  attributable to such share. As a partnership
under the Code, the Portfolio does not pay federal income or excise taxes.

                                      21
<PAGE>

SHAREHOLDER - Dividends from  taxable net investment  income and  distributions
of net short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income,
whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. A portion of these
dividends may qualify for the 70%  dividends  received  deduction  available to
corporations.

Regardless  of the length of time you have held the Fund shares,  distributions
of net long-term  capital gains are taxable as long-term  capital gains whether
received in cash or reinvested in additional shares.

Redemptions  and  exchanges  are subject to income tax based on the  difference
between  the  cost of  shares  when  purchased  and  the  price  received  upon
redemption or exchange.

WITHHOLDING -- Feederal law requires the Fund to withhold and remit to the U.S.
Treasury a portion of the income dividends and capital gain  distributions  and
proceeds of redemptions paid to any non-corporate shareholder who:

o   fails to furnish the Fund with a correct tax identification number,  
o   underreports dividend or interest income, or 
o   fails to certify that he or she is not subject to withholding.

To avoid this withholding requirement, you must certify on your application, or
on a separate  Form W-9  supplied by the Funds  transfer  agent,  that your tax
identification  number is correct and you are not  currently  subject to backup
withholding.

REPORTING - The Fund will report  information to you concerning the tax status
of dividends and distributions for federal income tax purposes annually.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

The Fund is a series of USAA Mutual Fund,  Inc.  (Company) and is  diversified.
The Company is an open-end management investment company incorporated under the
laws of the State of  Maryland.  The Company is  authorized  to issue shares of
common  stock of separate  series,  each of which is commonly  referred to as a
mutual fund. There are ten mutual funds in the Company, including this Fund.

The Company does not hold annual or regular  meetings of shareholders and holds
special  meetings only as required by the  Investment  Company Act of 1940. The
Directors  may fill  vacancies  on the Board or appoint  new  Directors  if the
result is that at least  two-thirds of the Directors have still been elected by
shareholders.  Shareholders have one vote per share (with proportionate  voting
for  fractional  shares)  regardless  of the  relative  net asset  value of the
shares. If a matter affects an individual fund in the Company,  there will be a
separate vote of that specific funds  shareholders.  Shareholders  collectively
holding at least 10% of the  outstanding  shares of the  Company  may request a
shareholder

                                      22
<PAGE>

meeting  at any time for the  purpose  of voting  to remove  one or more of the
Directors. The Company will assist in communicating to other shareholders about
the meeting.

Except as permitted by the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  whenever the
Fund is requested to vote on matters pertaining to the Portfolio, the Fund will
hold a meeting of its  shareholders  and will cast all of its votes in the same
proportion as the votes of its  shareholders.  The shareholders who do not vote
will have their votes cast by the  Directors  or officers of the Company in the
same proportion as the Funds shareholders who do, in fact, vote.

The  Portfolio,  in which  all the  Assets  of the Fund  will be  invested,  is
organized  as a trust under the laws of the State of New York.  The  Portfolios
Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund and other entities investing in the
Portfolio  (E.G.,  other  investment  companies,   insurance  company  separate
accounts,  and common and  commingled  trust funds) will each be liable for all
obligations of the Portfolio. However, the risk of the Fund incurring financial
loss on account of such  liability  is limited to  circumstances  in which both
inadequate  insurance  exists and the  Portfolio  itself was unable to meet its
obligations.  Accordingly, the Companys Directors believe that neither the Fund
nor you will be  adversely  affected  by reason of the Funds  investing  in the
Portfolio.

                                      23
<PAGE>

                                  APPENDIX A

THE  FOLLOWING  ARE  DESCRIPTIONS  OF CERTAIN  TYPES OF SECURITIES IN WHICH THE
PORTFOLIO'S ASSETS MAY BE INVESTED:

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

In a repurchase  agreement  the  Portfolio  buys a security and  simultaneously
agrees to sell it back at a higher price. In the event of the bankruptcy of the
other party to a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio could experience delays in
recovering  its cash.  To the extent that,  in the  meantime,  the value of the
securities repurchased had decreased, the Portfolio could experience a loss. In
all cases,  Bankers Trust must find the  creditworthiness of the other party to
the transaction satisfactory.

WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES

The Portfolio may purchase  securities  on a  when-issued  or delayed  delivery
basis.  Delivery of and payment for these  securities take place after the date
of the  purchase  commitment,  normally  within  45  days.  The  value of these
securities  is subject to market  fluctuation  during this period and no income
accrues to the Portfolio until settlement takes place. The Portfolio segregates
with the  Custodian  liquid  securities  in an amount  at least  equal to these
commitments.  When entering into a when-issued or delayed delivery transaction,
the Portfolio  will rely on the other party to consummate the  transaction;  if
the other party fails to do so, the Portfolio may be disadvantaged.

OPTIONS OF STOCK INDICES

The  Portfolio  may purchase  and write put and call  options on stock  indices
listed on stock exchanges.  A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market
values of the stocks included in the index.

Options on stock indices are generally  similar to options on stock except that
the delivery requirements are different. Instead of giving the right to take or
make delivery of stock at a specified  price,  an option on a stock index gives
the holder the right to receive a cash  "exercise  settlement  amount" equal to
(a) the amount, if any, by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds
(in the  case of a put) or is less  than (in the  case of a call)  the  closing
value of the  underlying  index on the date of  exercise,  multiplied  by (b) a
fixed  "index  multiplier."  Receipt of this cash  amount  will depend upon the
closing  level of the stock index upon which the option is based being  greater
than,  in the case of a call,  or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise
price  of the  option.  The  amount  of cash  received  will be  equal  to such
difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the
option  expressed  in dollars  times a  specified  multiple.  The writer of the
option is obligated,  in return for the premium  received,  to make delivery of
this amount. The writer may offset its position in stock index options prior to
expiration by entering into a closing  transaction on an exchange or the option
may expire unexercised.

[CAUTION LIGHT GRAPHIC]
Because the value of an index option depends upon movements in the level of the
index rather than the price of a particular  stock,  whether the Portfolio will
realize a gain or loss from the  purchase  or  writing  of  options on an index
depends  upon  movements  in the  level of stock  prices  in the  stock  market
generally or, in the case of certain indices, in an industry or market segment.
Accordingly, the Portfolio's successful use of options on stock indices will be
subject to Bankers Trust's ability to

                                      24
<PAGE>

predict  correctly  movements in the direction of the stock market generally or
of a particular  industry.  This requires  different skills and techniques than
predicting changes in the price of individual stocks.

FUTURES CONTRACTS ON STOCK INDICES

The Portfolio may enter into contracts  providing for the making and acceptance
of a cash settlement  based upon changes in the value of an index of securities
(Futures  Contracts).  This  investment  technique  is  designed  only to hedge
against  anticipated  future changes in general  market prices which  otherwise
might either  adversely affect the value of securities held by the Portfolio or
adversely affect the prices of securities which are intended to be purchased at
a later date for the Portfolio.  A Futures Contract may also be entered into to
close out or offset an existing futures position.

In general, each transaction in Futures Contracts involves the establishment of
a position  which will move in a direction  opposite to that of the  investment
being  hedged.  If these  hedging  transactions  are  successful,  the  futures
positions  taken  for the  Portfolio  will  rise in  value by an  amount  which
approximately  offsets the  decline in value of the portion of the  Portfolio's
investments  that are being  hedged.  Should  general  market prices move in an
unexpected manner,  the full anticipated  benefits of Futures Contracts may not
be achieved or a loss may be realized.

[CAUTION LIGHT GRAPHIC]
Although Futures  Contracts would be entered into for cash management  purposes
only, such  transactions do involve certain risks.  These risks could include a
lack of correlation  between the Futures  Contracts and the equity market being
hedged,  a potential  lack of liquidity in the  secondary  market and incorrect
assessments  of market  trends which may result in poorer  overall  performance
than if a Futures Contract had not been entered into.

Brokerage  costs will be incurred and  "initial  margin" will be required to be
posted  and  maintained  as  a  good-faith   deposit  against   performance  of
obligations under Futures  Contracts  written for the Portfolio.  The Portfolio
may not purchase or sell a Futures  Contract or options  thereon if immediately
thereafter its margin  deposits on its  outstanding  Futures  Contracts and its
premium paid on outstanding options thereon would exceed 5% of the market value
of the Portfolio's total assets.

OPTIONS OF FUTURES CONTRACTS

The  Portfolio  may invest in options on such  Futures  Contracts  for  similar
purposes.

ASSET COVERAGE

The Portfolio will cover  transactions in futures and related options,  as well
as   when-issued   and    delayed-delivery   as   required   under   applicable
interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, either by owning the
underlying  securities or segregating  with the  Portfolio's  Custodian  liquid
securities  in an amount at all times  equal to or  exceeding  the  Portfolio's
commitment with respect to these instruments or contracts.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES

The  Portfolio  may  not  invest  more  than  15% of the  market  value  of the
Portfolio's net assets in securities  which are illiquid.  Illiquid  securities
are those  securities  that  cannot be disposed  of in the  ordinary  course of
business  in  seven  days or less at  approximately  the  value  at  which  the
Portfolio has valued the securities.

                                      25
<PAGE>
                                  APPENDIX B

USAA Family of No-Load Mutual Funds

The USAA Family of No-Load Mutual Funds includes a variety of Funds,  each with
different objectives and policies. In combination,  these Funds are designed to
provide you with the opportunity to formulate your own investment program.  You
may  exchange  any shares you hold in any one USAA Fund for shares in any other
USAA Fund. For more complete  information  about other Funds in the USAA Family
of Funds,  including  charges and expenses,  call us for a Prospectus.  Read it
carefully before you invest or send money.

        FUND
      TYPE/NAME                             VOLATILITY
===============================================================
CAPITAL APPRECIATION
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Growth                        Very high
Emerging Markets (1)                     Very high
First Start Growth                       Moderate to high
Gold (1)                                 Very high
Growth                                   Moderate to high
Growth & Income                          Moderate
International (1)                        Moderate to high
S&P 500 Index (2)                        Moderate
Science & Technology                     Very high
World Growth (1)                         Moderate to high
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
ASSET ALLOCATION
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced Strategy                        Moderate
Cornerstone Strategy (1)                 Moderate
Growth and Tax Strategy                  Moderate
Growth Strategy (1)                      Moderate to high
Income Strategy                          Low to moderate
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME - TAXABLE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
GNMA                                     Low to moderate
Income                                   Moderate
Income Stock                             Moderate
Short-Term Bond                          Low
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME - TAX EXEMPT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term (3)                            Moderate
Intermediate-Term (3)                    Low to moderate
Short-Term (3)                           Low
State Bond/Income (3,4)                  Moderate
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
MONEY MARKET
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market (5)                         Very low
Tax Exempt Money Market (3,5)            Very low
Treasury Money Market Trust (5)          Very low
State Money Market (3,4,5)               Very low
===============================================================

1  FOREIGN   INVESTING  IS  SUBJECT  TO  ADDITIONAL  RISKS,  SUCH  AS  CURRENCY
   FLUCTUATIONS, MARKET ILLIQUIDITY, AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY.

2  S&P(R) IS A  TRADEMARK  OF THE  MCGRAW-HILL  COMPANIES,  INC.,  AND HAS BEEN
   LICENSED FOR USE. THE PRODUCT IS NOT SPONSORED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY STANDARD
   & POOR'S,  AND  STANDARD  & POOR'S  MAKES NO  REPRESENTATION  REGARDING  THE
   ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN THE PRODUCT.

3  SOME INCOME MAY BE SUBJECT TO STATE OR LOCAL TAXES.

4  CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEW YORK, TEXAS, AND VIRGINIA FUNDS ARE OFFERED ONLY TO
   RESIDENTS OF THOSE STATES.

5  AN  INVESTMENT IN A MONEY MARKET FUND IS NEITHER  INSURED NOR  GUARANTEED BY
   THE U.S.  GOVERNMENT AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY OF THE FUNDS WILL BE
   ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1 PER SHARE.

                                      26
<PAGE>

                                     NOTES

<PAGE>

If you would like more information about the Fund, you may call  1-800-531-8181
to request a free copy of the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI),
dated March 1, 1998 or the Fund's Annual Report for the year ended December 31,
1997.  The SAI and the financial  statements  contained  with the Fund's Annual
Report have been filed with the SEC and are legally a part of the Prospectus.

                Investment Adviser, Underwriter and Distributor
                       USAA Investment Management Company
                            9800 Fredericksburg Road
                            San Antonio, Texas 78288
                -----------------------------------------------
             Transfer Agent                           Custodian
    USAA Shareholder Account Services    State Street Bank and Trust Company   
        9800 Fredericksburg Road                    P.O. Box 1713
       San Antonio, Texas 78288                Boston, Massachusetts 02105
                -----------------------------------------------
                              Telephone Assistance
                         Call toll free - Central Time
                     Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
                        Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
               ------------------------------------------------
                   For Additional Information on Mutual Funds
                   1-800-531-8181, (in San Antonio) 456-7211
                For account servicing, exchanges or redemptions
                   1-800-531-8448, (in San Antonio) 456-7202
                -----------------------------------------------
                       Recorded Mutual Fund Price Quotes
                        24-Hour Service (from any phone)
                   1-800-531-8066, (in San Antonio) 498-8066
                -----------------------------------------------
                            Mutual Fund TouchLINE(R)
                          (from Touchtone phones only)
              For account balance, last transaction or fund prices
                   1-800-531-8777, (in San Antonio) 498-8777

<PAGE>
                                    Part B


                  Statement of Additional Information for the
        
   
                              S&P 500 Index Fund

                              is included herein


                 Not included in this Post-Effective Amendment
              is the Statement of Additional Information for the
          Aggressive Growth Fund, Growth Fund, Growth & Income Fund,
               Income Stock Fund, Income Fund, Short-Term Bond,
               Money Market Fund, Science & Technology Fund, and
                           First Start Growth Fund.
    
<PAGE>
   
USAA    USAA                                            STATEMENT OF
EAGLE   MUTUAL                                          ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LOGO    FUND, INC.                                      May 1, 1998
    
_______________________________________________________________________________

                          USAA MUTUAL FUND, INC.
                           S&P 500 Index Fund
   
USAA MUTUAL  FUND,  INC.  (the  Company)  is a  registered  investment  company
offering shares of ten no-load mutual funds,  one of which is described in this
Statement of Additional  Information (SAI): the S&P 500 Index Fund. The Fund is
classified as diversified.
    
     The Fund's investment  objective is to seek to provide  investment results
that, before expenses, correspond to the total return of common stocks publicly
traded in the  United  States,  as  represented  by the  Standard  & Poor's 500
Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500 or Index). As described in the Prospectus,
the Company seeks to achieve the investment  objective of the Fund by investing
all the  investable  assets of the Fund in an  open-end  management  investment
company  having  the same  investment  objective  as the Fund.  The  investment
company is the Equity 500 Index  Portfolio (the  Portfolio)  advised by Bankers
Trust Company (Bankers Trust).

     Since the investment  characteristics of the Fund will correspond directly
to those of the  Portfolio  in which  the Fund  invests  all of its  investable
assets, the following  includes a discussion of the various  investments of and
techniques employed by the Portfolio.
   
     You may obtain a free copy of the  Prospectus  dated May 1, 1998,  for the
Fund by writing to USAA  Mutual  Fund,  Inc.,  9800  Fredericksburg  Road,  San
Antonio,  TX 78288,  or by calling  toll free  1-800-531-8181.  The  Prospectus
provides the basic  information  you should know before  investing in the Fund.
This SAI is not a Prospectus  and contains  information in addition to and more
detailed  than that set  forth in the  Fund's  Prospectus.  It is  intended  to
provide you with additional information regarding the activities and operations
of the Company and the Fund and should be read in  conjunction  with the Fund's
Prospectus.
    
_______________________________________________________________________________

                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

        Page
         2      Valuation of Securities
   
         2      Conditions of Purchase and Redemption
    
         2      Additional Information Regarding Redemption of Shares
         3      Investment Plans
         4      Investment Policies
   
         7      Investment Restrictions
        10      Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Commissions
        11      Further Description of Shares
        12      Tax Considerations
        13      Directors and Officers of the Company
        15      Trustees and Officers of the Portfolio
        16      Investment Adviser
        17      Administrator
        18      General Information
        19      Calculation of Performance Data
        19      Appendix A - Comparison of Fund Performance
        21      Appendix B - Dollar-Cost Averaging
        
<PAGE>

                            VALUATION OF SECURITIES   

Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuing  best efforts basis through USAA
Investment  Management  Company (IMCO or the Manager).  The offering  price for
shares of the Fund is equal to the current net asset value (NAV) per share. The
NAV per  share of the Fund is  calculated  by adding  the  value of the  Fund's
assets (i.e.,  the value of its investments in the Portfolio and other assets),
deducting liabilities, and dividing by the number of shares outstanding.
   
     The Fund's NAV per share is calculated  each day,  Monday through  Friday,
except days on which the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is closed.  The NYSE is
currently scheduled to be closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
Presidents'  Day,  Good Friday,  Memorial  Day,  Independence  Day,  Labor Day,
Thanksgiving,  and Christmas,  and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday
when one of these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively.

     The Portfolio values its equity and debt securities (other than short-term
debt obligations maturing in 60 days or less),  including listed securities and
securities for which price  quotations  are  available,  on the basis of market
valuations furnished by a pricing service. Short-term debt obligations maturing
in 60 days or less are valued at  amortized  cost,  which  approximates  market
value.  Other assets are valued at fair value using methods  determined in good
faith by the Portfolio's Board of Trustees.
    
     Each investor in the  Portfolio,  including the Fund, may add to or reduce
its  investment in the Portfolio on each day that the NYSE is open for business
and New York charter banks are not closed owing to customary or local holidays.
As of the close of the NYSE,  currently  4:00 p.m.  (Eastern time or earlier if
the NYSE  closes  earlier)  on each  such  day,  the  value of each  investor's
interest in the Portfolio will be determined by multiplying the net asset value
of the Portfolio by the percentage  representing  that investor's  share of the
aggregate  beneficial  interests in the Portfolio.  Any additions or reductions
which are to be  effected  on that day will then be  effected.  The  investor's
percentage of the aggregate  beneficial interests in the Portfolio will then be
recomputed as the  percentage  equal to the fraction (1) the numerator of which
is the value of such investor's  investment in the Portfolio as of the close of
the NYSE on such day plus or  minus,  as the  case may be,  the  amount  of net
additions  to or  reductions  in the  investor's  investment  in the  Portfolio
effected  on such day and (2) the  denominator  of which is the  aggregate  net
asset value of the  Portfolio  as of 4:00 p.m. or the close of the NYSE on such
day plus or  minus,  as the case may be,  the  amount  of net  additions  to or
reductions  in the aggregate  investments  in the Portfolio by all investors in
the Portfolio.  The percentage so determined  will then be applied to determine
the value of the  investor's  interest in the  Portfolio as of 4:00 p.m. or the
close of the NYSE on the following day the NYSE is open for trading.
   
                     CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION  

NONPAYMENT

If any order to purchase shares is canceled due to nonpayment or if the Company
does not receive good funds either by check or electronic funds transfer,  USAA
Shareholder  Account Services (Transfer Agent) will treat the cancellation as a
redemption of shares  purchased,  and you will be responsible for any resulting
loss  incurred  by the  Fund  or the  Manager.  If you are a  shareholder,  the
Transfer Agent can redeem shares from any of your  account(s) as  reimbursement
for all losses.  In addition,  you may be prohibited or restricted  from making
future  purchases in any of the USAA Family of Funds.  A $15 fee is charged for
all returned items, including checks and electronic funds transfers.

TRANSFER OF SHARES

You may transfer Fund shares to another person by sending written  instructions
to the Transfer  Agent.  The account must be clearly  identified,  and you must
include  the  number  of  shares  to be  transferred,  the  signatures  of  all
registered owners, and all stock certificates, if any, which are the subject of
transfer.  You also need to send written  instructions signed by all registered
owners and supporting documents to change an account registration due to events
such as divorce,  marriage, or death. If a new account needs to be established,
you may complete and return an application to the Transfer Agent.
    
               ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING REDEMPTION OF SHARES 
    
The value of your investment at the time of redemption may be more or less than
the cost at  purchase,  depending  on the value of the  securities  held in the
Portfolio. Requests for redemption which are subject to any special conditions,
or which  specify an effective  date other than as provided  herein,  cannot be
accepted.  A gain or loss  for tax  purposes  may be  realized  on the  sale of
shares, depending upon the price when redeemed.
    
                                      2
<PAGE>

     The  Portfolio  reserves the right,  if  conditions  exist which make cash
payments  undesirable,  to honor any request for redemption or repurchase order
by making payment in whole or in part in readily  marketable  securities chosen
by the  Portfolio  and  valued  as  they  are for  purposes  of  computing  the
Portfolio's  NAV (a  redemption  in kind).  If  payment  is made to the Fund in
securities,  the  Fund may  incur  transaction  expenses  in  converting  these
securities  into cash.  The Portfolio has elected,  however,  to be governed by
Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act) as a
result of which the Portfolio is obligated to redeem beneficial  interests with
respect to any one investor during any 90-day period,  solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the NAV of the  Portfolio  at the  beginning of the
period.   For  purposes  of  determining   compliance  with  Rule  18f-1,  each
shareholder of the Fund  redeeming  shares of the Fund on a particular day will
be treated as a direct holder in the interest in the Portfolio  being  redeemed
that day.

     In the event the Company  withdraws or redeems all of the Fund's  interest
in the Portfolio, the Portfolio will effect such redemption in kind and in such
a manner that the securities  delivered to the Fund will mirror,  as closely as
practicable,  the  composition  of the  Portfolio  immediately  prior  to  such
redemption.
   
     The Board of  Directors  may cause the  redemption  of an  account  with a
balance  of less  than 10  shares  of the Fund  provided  (1) the  value of the
account has been  reduced,  for reasons  other than  market  action,  below the
minimum initial investment in such Fund at the time of the establishment of the
account,  (2) the account has remained  below the minimum level for six months,
and (3) 60 days' prior written notice of the proposed  redemption has been sent
to you.  Shares will be redeemed at the NAV on the date fixed for redemption by
the Board of Directors.  Prompt payment will be made by mail to your last known
address.
    
     The  Company  reserves  the right to suspend  the right of  redemption  or
postpone  the date of  payment  (1) for any  periods  during  which the NYSE is
closed,  (2) when  trading in the  markets  the  Company  normally  utilizes is
restricted, or an emergency exists as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) so that disposal of the Company's investments or determination
of its NAV is not reasonably  practicable,or  (3) for such other periods as the
SEC by order may permit for protection of the Company's shareholders.
   
     For the mutual  protection  of the investor and the Fund,  the Company may
require a signature  guarantee.  If  required,  EACH  signature  on the account
registration must be guaranteed.  Signature guarantees are acceptable from FDIC
member  banks,  brokers,  dealers,   municipal  securities  dealers,  municipal
securities  brokers,   government  securities  dealers,  government  securities
brokers,  credit unions,  national securities exchanges,  registered securities
associations, clearing agencies and savings associations. A signature guarantee
for active  duty  military  personnel  stationed  abroad may be  provided by an
officer of the United States Embassy or Consulate, a staff officer of the Judge
Advocate General, or an individual's commanding officer.
    
                            INVESTMENT PLANS  
   
The Company makes available the following  investment  plans to shareholders of
the Fund.  At the time you sign up for any of the  following  investment  plans
that utilize the electronic funds transfer service,  you will choose the day of
the month (the  effective  date) on which you would like to regularly  purchase
shares.  When this day falls on a weekend or holiday,  the electronic  transfer
will take place on the last  business day before the  effective  date.  You may
terminate your participation in a plan at any time. Please call the Manager for
details and necessary forms or applications.
    
AUTOMATIC PURCHASE OF SHARES

INVESTRONIC (R) - The regular purchase of additional shares through  electronic
funds transfer from a checking or savings account.  You may invest as little as
$50 per month.
   
DIRECT PURCHASE  SERVICE - The periodic  purchase of shares through  electronic
funds  transfer from an employer  (including  government  allotments and social
security), an income-producing  investment,  or an account with a participating
financial institution.
    
AUTOMATIC  PURCHASE  PLAN - The  periodic  transfer  of funds from a USAA money
market fund to purchase  shares in another  non-money  market USAA mutual fund.
There is a minimum investment  required for this program of $5,000 in the money
market fund, with a monthly transaction minimum of $50.

BUY/SELL  SERVICE - The  intermittent  purchase or redemption of shares through
electronic funds transfer to or from a checking or savings account.
   
     Participation in these automatic  purchase plans will permit you to engage
in dollar-cost averaging. For additional information concerning the benefits of
dollar-cost averaging, see APPENDIX B.
    
                                      3
<PAGE>
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
   
If a shareholder in a single  investment  account  (accounts in different Funds
cannot be  aggregated  for this  purpose) owns shares having a NAV of $5,000 or
more, the  shareholder may request that enough shares to produce a fixed amount
of money be liquidated  from the account  monthly or  quarterly.  The amount of
each  withdrawal  must be at least $50.  Using the  electronic  funds  transfer
service,  you may choose to have withdrawals  electronically  deposited at your
bank or other financial  institution.  You may also elect to have checks mailed
to a designated address.

     Such a plan may be  initiated by  depositing  shares worth at least $5,000
with  the  Transfer  Agent  and by  completing  a  Systematic  Withdrawal  Plan
application,  which  may be  requested  from  the  Manager.  You may  terminate
participation  in  the  plan  at any  time.  There  is no  charge  to  you  for
withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. The Company will not bear any
expenses  in  administering  the plan  beyond the  regular  transfer  agent and
custodian  costs of issuing and  redeeming  shares.  The Manager  will bear any
additional expenses of administering the plan.

     Withdrawals  will be made by redeeming full and  fractional  shares on the
date you select at the time the plan is established.  Withdrawal  payments made
under this plan may exceed  dividends  and  distributions  and, to this extent,
will  involve the use of  principal  and could  reduce the dollar value of your
investment  and  eventually  exhaust the  account.  Reinvesting  dividends  and
distributions  helps  replenish  the  account.  Because  share  values  and net
investment income can fluctuate, you should not expect withdrawals to be offset
by rising income or share value gains.

     Each  redemption  of shares  may  result in a gain or loss,  which must be
reported  on your  income tax  return.  Therefore,  you should keep an accurate
record of any gain or loss on each withdrawal.
    
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS
   
Federal  taxes on current  income may be  deferred  if you  qualify for certain
types of retirement programs. For your convenience, the Manager makes available
various forms of IRA and 403(b)(7) accounts.  The minimum initial investment in
each of these plans is $2,000.  You may make  subsequent  investments of $50 or
more  per  account  at  any  time.  You  may  make  investments  in  one or any
combination  of the  Funds  described  in the  Prospectus  of each Fund of USAA
Mutual Fund,  Inc. and USAA  Investment  Trust (not available in the Growth and
Tax Strategy Fund).

     Retirement plan applications for the IRA and 403(b)(7)  programs should be
sent directly to USAA Shareholder Account Services,  9800 Fredericksburg  Road,
San Antonio,  TX 78288. USAA Federal Savings Bank serves as Custodian for these
tax-deferred retirement plans under the programs made available by the Manager.
Applications  for  these  retirement  plans  received  by the  Manager  will be
forwarded to the Custodian for acceptance.

     An administrative  fee of $20 is deducted from the money sent to you after
closing an account.  Exceptions to the fee are:  partial  distributions,  total
transfer within USAA, and distributions due to disability or death. This charge
is  subject  to change as  provided  in the  various  agreements.  There may be
additional charges, as mutually agreed upon between you and the Custodian,  for
further services requested of the Custodian.

     Each employer or individual establishing a tax-deferred retirement plan is
advised to consult with a tax adviser  before  establishing  the plan.  You may
obtain detailed information about the plans from the Manager.
    
                            INVESTMENT POLICIES  

The  investment  objective of the Fund is  described in the Fund's  Prospectus.
There can, of course, be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.

     The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its
investable  assets in the  Portfolio.  The  Company  may  withdraw  the  Fund's
investment  from the  Portfolio  at any time if the Board of  Directors  of the
Company determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund to do so.
        
     Since the investment  characteristics of the Fund will correspond directly
to those  of the  Portfolio,  the  following  is a  discussion  of the  various
investments of and techniques employed by the Portfolio.

     CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AND BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES. The Portfolio may invest
in   certificates  of  deposit  which  are  receipts  issued  by  a  depository
institution in exchange for the deposit of funds.  The issuer agrees to pay the
amount  deposited  plus  interest  to the  bearer  of the  receipt  on the date
specified  on the  certificate.  The  certificate  usually can be traded in the
secondary market prior to maturity.  Bankers' acceptances  typically arise from
short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to
finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn
on a bank by an exporter  or an importer to obtain a stated  amount of funds to
pay for specific  merchandise.  The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in
effect,  unconditionally  guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on
its maturity  date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an
earning asset or it may be

                                      4
<PAGE>

sold in the  secondary  market at the going  rate of  discount  for a  specific
maturity.  Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most
acceptances have maturities of six months or less.

     COMMERCIAL  PAPER.  The  Portfolio  may invest in  commercial  paper which
consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured  promissory notes
issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. A variable
amount master demand note (which is a type of  commercial  paper)  represents a
direct  borrowing  arrangement  involving  periodically  fluctuating  rates  of
interest  under a letter  agreement  between a  commercial  paper issuer and an
institutional  lender  pursuant  to which the  lender may  determine  to invest
varying amounts.

     ILLIQUID  SECURITIES.  Historically,  illiquid  securities  have  included
securities  subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they
have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933
Act),  securities  which are otherwise not readily  marketable  and  repurchase
agreements  having a remaining  maturity of longer  than seven  calendar  days.
Securities which have not been registered under the 1933 Act are referred to as
private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the
issuer  or in the  secondary  market.  Mutual  funds  do not  typically  hold a
significant amount of these restricted or other illiquid  securities because of
the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on
resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio  securities
and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose of  restricted  or other  illiquid
securities  promptly  or at  reasonable  prices  and might  thereby  experience
difficulty  satisfying  redemptions  within seven  calendar days. A mutual fund
might also have to register such  restricted  securities in order to dispose of
them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could
impede such a public offering of securities.

     In recent years,  however, a large institutional  market has developed for
certain  securities  that are not  registered  under  the 1933  Act,  including
repurchase   agreements,   commercial  paper,  foreign  securities,   municipal
securities, and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient  institutional  market  in which  the  unregistered  security  can be
readily resold or on an issuer's  ability to honor a demand for repayment.  The
fact  that  there  are  contractual  or legal  restrictions  on  resale of such
investments  to the  general  public  or to  certain  institutions  may  not be
indicative of their liquidity.

     LENDING OF PORTFOLIO  SECURITIES.  The Portfolio has the authority to lend
portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations. The
Portfolio will not lend securities to Bankers Trust,  Edgewood  Services,  Inc.
(Edgewood),  the Portfolio's Distributor,  or their affiliates.  By lending its
securities,  a  Portfolio  can  increase  its income by  continuing  to receive
interest  on the  loaned  securities  as well as by either  investing  the cash
collateral in short-term  securities or obtaining yield in the form of interest
paid by the borrower when U.S.  Government  obligations are used as collateral.
There  may be risks of delay in  receiving  additional  collateral  or risks of
delay in recovery of the  securities  or even loss of rights in the  collateral
should the borrower of the  securities  fail  financially.  The Portfolio  will
adhere to the following  conditions whenever its securities are loaned: (1) the
Portfolio must receive at least 100% cash  collateral or equivalent  securities
from the borrower;  (2) the borrower must increase this collateral whenever the
market value of the securities including accrued interest rises above the level
of the collateral;  (3) the Portfolio must be able to terminate the loan at any
time; (4) the Portfolio must receive  reasonable  interest on the loan, as well
as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, and
any  increase  in  market  value;  (5) the  Portfolio  may pay only  reasonable
custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (6) voting rights on the loaned
securities  may pass to the  borrower;  provided,  however,  that if a material
event  adversely  affecting the investment  occurs,  the  Portfolio's  Board of
Trustees must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities.

INDEX FUTURES  CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON INDEX FUTURES  CONTRACTS AND SECURITIES
INDICES

     FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Portfolio may enter into contracts for the purchase
or sale for future  delivery of the Index.  U.S.  futures  contracts  have been
designed by exchanges  which have been  designated  "contracts  markets" by the
Commodity  Futures Trading  Commission  (CFTC),  and must be executed through a
futures  commission  merchant,  or  brokerage  firm,  which is a member  of the
relevant  contract  market.  Futures  contracts  trade on a number of  exchange
markets,  and,  through their clearing  corporations,  the exchanges  guarantee
performance of the contracts as between the clearing members of the exchange.

     At the same time a futures contract on the Index is purchased or sold, the
Portfolio  must  allocate  cash or  securities  as a deposit  payment  (initial
deposit). It is expected that the initial deposit would be approximately 1 1/2%
to 5% of a contract's face value.  Daily  thereafter,  the futures  contract is
valued and the payment of  "variation  margin" may be required,  since each day
the  Portfolio  would  provide or receive  cash that  reflects  any  decline or
increase in the contract's value.

     Although futures  contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery or
acquisition  of  securities,  in  most  cases  the  contractual  obligation  is
fulfilled  before  the  date of the  contract  without  having  to make or take
delivery of the  securities.  The  offsetting  of a  contractual  obligation is
accomplished  by  buying  (or  selling,  as the case  may be) on a  commodities
exchange an identical  futures contract calling for delivery in the same month.
Such a transaction,  which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels
the obligation to

                                      5
<PAGE>
make or take delivery of the securities.  Since all transactions in the futures
market are made,  offset or fulfilled  through a clearinghouse  associated with
the  exchange on which the  contracts  are  traded,  the  Portfolio  will incur
brokerage fees when it purchases or sells futures contracts.

     The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures market, due to
differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to distortions.  First,
all  participants  in the  futures  market are  subject to initial  deposit and
variation margin requirements.  Rather than meeting additional variation margin
requirements,   investors  may  close  futures  contracts  through   offsetting
transactions which could distort the normal  relationship  between the cash and
futures  markets.  Second,  the  liquidity  of the  futures  market  depends on
participants'  entering  into  offsetting  transactions  rather  than making or
taking delivery.  To the extent  participants  decide to make or take delivery,
liquidity in the futures market could be reduced,  thus  producing  distortion.
Third, from the point of view of speculators,  the margin deposit  requirements
in the  futures  market  are  less  onerous  than  margin  requirements  in the
securities  market.  Therefore,  increased  participation by speculators in the
futures  market  may  cause  temporary  price   distortions.   Because  of  the
possibility of  distortion,  a correct  forecast of securities  price trends by
Bankers Trust may still not result in a successful transaction.

     In addition,  futures  contracts  entail  risks.  Although  Bankers  Trust
believes  that use of such  contracts  will benefit the  Portfolio,  if Bankers
Trust's  investment  judgment  about  the  general  direction  of the  Index is
incorrect,  the Portfolio's  overall performance would be poorer than if it had
not entered into any such  contract.  For example,  if the Portfolio has hedged
against the possibility of a decrease in the Index which would adversely affect
the value of securities  held in its portfolio and securities  prices  increase
instead,  the  Portfolio  will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased
value of its  securities  which it has hedged  because it will have  offsetting
losses in its  futures  positions.  In  addition,  in such  situations,  if the
Portfolio  has  insufficient  cash,  it may  have to sell  securities  from its
portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements. Such sales of securities
may be, but will not  necessarily  be, at increased  prices  which  reflect the
rising market.  The Portfolio may have to sell securities at a time when it may
be disadvantageous to do so.

     OPTIONS ON INDEX FUTURES  CONTRACTS.  The Portfolio may purchase and write
options on futures  contracts with respect to the Index. The purchase of a call
option on an index futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase
of a call  option on such an index.  Depending  on the  pricing  of the  option
compared to either the price of the futures  contract upon which it is based or
the price of the  underlying  securities,  it may or may not be less risky than
ownership  of the  futures  contract  or  underlying  securities.  As with  the
purchase of futures contracts,  when the Portfolio is not fully invested it may
purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance.

     The writing of a call  option on a futures  contract  with  respect to the
Index  constitutes a partial hedge against  declining  prices of the underlying
securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract.  If the
futures  price at  expiration  of the option is below the exercise  price,  the
Portfolio  will retain the full amount of the option  premium which  provides a
partial  hedge  against any decline that may have  occurred in the  Portfolio's
holdings.  The writing of a put option on an index futures contract constitutes
a partial hedge against  increasing  prices of the underlying  securities which
are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract.  If the futures price at
expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price,  the Portfolio will
retain the full amount of the option  premium which  provides a partial hedge a
gainst any increase in the price of securities  which the Portfolio  intends to
purchase.  If a put or call option the Portfolio has written is exercised,  the
Portfolio  will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium
it receives.  Depending  on the degree of  correlation  between  changes in the
value of its  portfolio  securities  and  changes  in the value of its  futures
positions,  the Portfolio's losses from existing options on futures may to some
extent be reduced or increased by changes in the value of portfolio securities.

     The  purchase of a put option on a futures  contract  with  respect to the
Index is similar in some respects to the purchase of protective  put options on
the Index.  For example,  the  Portfolio  may purchase a put option on an index
futures contract to hedge against the risk of lowering securities values.

     The amount of risk the Portfolio  assumes when it purchases an option on a
futures  contract  with respect to the Index is the premium paid for the option
plus related  transaction costs. In addition to the correlation risks discussed
above,  the  purchase  of an option also  entails the risk that  changes in the
value of the  underlying  futures  contract will not be fully  reflected in the
value of the option purchased.
   
     The Portfolio's  Board of Trustees has adopted the requirement  that index
futures  contracts and options on index futures contracts be used only for cash
management purposes as a hedge and not for speculation.  The Portfolio will not
enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts if immediately
thereafter  the amount of margin  deposits on all the futures  contracts of the
Portfolio and premiums paid on outstanding  options on futures  contracts owned
by the Portfolio would exceed 5% of the market value of the total assets of the
Portfolio.
    
                                      6
<PAGE>
     OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. The Portfolio may write (sell) covered call
and put  options  to a  limited  extent on the Index  (covered  options)  in an
attempt to increase income. Such options give the holder the right to receive a
cash settlement during the term of the option based upon the difference between
the exercise  price and the value of the index.  The  Portfolio  may forego the
benefits of  appreciation on the Index or may pay more than the market price of
the Index pursuant to call and put options written by the Portfolio.

     By writing a covered call option, the Portfolio foregoes,  in exchange for
the premium less the commission (net premium), the opportunity to profit during
the option  period from an increase in the market  value of the Index above the
exercise price. By writing a covered put option, the Portfolio, in exchange for
the net premium received,  accepts the risk of a decline in the market value of
the Index below the exercise price.

     The Portfolio may terminate its obligation as the writer of a call or put 
option by purchasing an option with the same exercise price and expiration date
as the option previously written.
        
     When the  Portfolio  writes an option,  an amount equal to the net premium
received  by  the  Portfolio  is  included  in  the  liability  section  of the
Portfolio's  Statement  of Assets and  Liabilities  as a deferred  credit.  The
amount of the deferred credit will be subsequently  marked to market to reflect
the current market value of the option  written.  The current market value of a
traded  option is the last sale price or, in the  absence  of a sale,  the mean
between the closing bid and asked price. If an option expires on its stipulated
expiration date or if the Portfolio enters into a closing purchase transaction,
the  Portfolio  will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing  purchase
transaction  exceeds the premium  received  when the option was sold),  and the
deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated.  If a call option is
exercised,  the  Portfolio  will  realize  a gain or loss  from the sale of the
underlying  security  and the  proceeds  of the sale will be  increased  by the
premium originally received.  The writing of covered call options may be deemed
to  involve  the  pledge of the  securities  against  which the option is being
written.  Securities  against which call options are written will be segregated
on the books of the custodian for the Portfolio.

     The  Portfolio  may  purchase  call  and put  options  on the  Index.  The
Portfolio would normally  purchase a call option in anticipation of an increase
in the market value of the Index.  The purchase of a call option would  entitle
the  Portfolio,  in exchange for the premium paid,  to purchase the  underlying
securities at a specified  price during the option period.  The Portfolio would
ordinarily  have a gain if the  value of the  securities  increased  above  the
exercise price  sufficiently  to cover the premium and would have a loss if the
value of the  securities  remained at or below the  exercise  price  during the
option period.

     The Portfolio  would normally  purchase put options in  anticipation  of a
decline in the market value of the Index  (protective  puts). The purchase of a
put option would  entitle the  Portfolio,  in exchange for the premium paid, to
sell the underlying  securities at a specified  price during the option period.
The purchase of protective puts is designed merely to offset or hedge against a
decline  in the market  value of the  Index.  The  Portfolio  would  ordinarily
recognize a gain if the value of the Index  decreased  below the exercise price
sufficiently  to cover the premium  and would  recognize a loss if the value of
the Index  remained  at or above the  exercise  price.  Gains and losses on the
purchase of protective  put options  would tend to be offset by  countervailing
changes in the value of the Index.

     The Portfolio has adopted certain other nonfundamental policies concerning
option  transactions  which are discussed below. The Portfolio's  activities in
index  options  may also be  restricted  by the  requirements  of the  Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code),  for  qualification as a regulated
investment company.

     The hours of trading for options on the Index may not conform to the hours
during  which the  underlying  securities  are  traded.  To the extent that the
option  markets  close  before  the  markets  for  the  underlying  securities,
significant  price  and  rate  movements  can  take  place  in  the  underlying
securities  markets  that  cannot be  reflected  in the option  markets.  It is
impossible to predict the volume of trading that may exist in such options, and
there  can be no  assurance  that  viable  exchange  markets  will  develop  or
continue.

     Because options on securities  indices require settlement in cash, Bankers
Trust  may be forced  to  liquidate  portfolio  securities  to meet  settlement
obligations.

                               INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS  

Certain investment restrictions of the Fund and the Portfolio have been adopted
as  fundamental  policies  of the  Fund or  Portfolio,  as the  case  may be. A
fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the
outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund or  Portfolio,  as the case may be.
Majority of the outstanding  voting  securities under the 1940 Act, and as used
in this SAI and the  Prospectus,  means,  the  lesser of (1) 67% or more of the
outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund or  Portfolio,  as the case may be,
present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting
securities  of the  Fund or  Portfolio,  as the  case may be,  are  present  or
represented by proxy or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding  voting securities
of the Fund or Portfolio, as the case may be. Whenever the Company is requested
to vote

                                      7
<PAGE>
on a fundamental  policy of the  Portfolio,  the Company will hold a meeting of
the  Fund's  shareholders  and will cast its vote as  instructed  by the Fund's
shareholders.   The  percentage  of  the  Company's  votes   representing  Fund
shareholders  not voting will be voted by the  Directors  of the Company in the
same proportion as the Fund shareholders who do, in fact, vote.

As a matter of fundamental  policy, the Fund may not (except that no investment
restriction  of the Fund  shall  prevent  the Fund  from  investing  all of its
investable assets in an open-end investment company with substantially the same
investment objective):

(1)   With respect to 75% of its total assets,  purchase the  securities of any
      issuer (except U.S. Government Securities, as such term is defined in the
      1940 Act) if, as a result,  it would own more than 10% of the outstanding
      voting  securities  of such  issuer or it would  have more than 5% of the
      value of its total assets invested in the securities of such issuer.

(2)   Borrow money, except for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not
      exceeding 33 1/3% of its  total assets (including  the  amount  borrowed)
      less liabilities (other than borrowings).

(3)   Concentrate its investments in any one industry although it may invest up
      to 25% of the value of its total  assets in any one  industry;  provided,
      this limitation does not apply to securities  issued or guaranteed by the
      U.S. Government and its agencies or instrumentalities.

(4)   Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

(5)   Underwrite securities of other issuers,  except to the extent that it may
      be deemed to act as a statutory  underwriter in the  distribution  of any
      restricted securities or not readily marketable securities.

(6)   Lend any  securities or make any loan if, as a result,  more than 33 1/3%
      of its total  assets  would be lent to other  parties,  except  that this
      limitation  does  not  apply  to  purchases  of  debt  securities  or  to
      repurchase agreements.
   
(7)   Purchase  or sell  commodities,  except  that  the  Fund  may  invest  in
      financial futures contracts, options thereon, and similar instruments.

(8)   Purchase or sell real estate unless  acquired as a result of ownership of
      securities  or other  instruments,  except  that the Fund may  invest  in
      securities  or other  instruments  backed by real estate or securities of
      companies  that deal in real  estate or are  engaged  in the real  estate
      business.
    
      As a matter of fundamental policy, the Portfolio may not:

(1)   borrow money or mortgage or hypothecate  assets of the Portfolio,  except
      that  in an  amount  not  to  exceed  1/3  of the  current  value  of the
      Portfolio's  assets,  it may  borrow  money as a  temporary  measure  for
      extraordinary  or emergency  purposes  and enter into reverse  repurchase
      agreements  or dollar roll  transactions,  and except that it may pledge,
      mortgage or  hypothecate  not more than 1/3 of such assets to secure such
      borrowings  (it is intended  that money would be borrowed only from banks
      and only either to accommodate  requests for the withdrawal of beneficial
      interests  (redemption of shares) while effecting an orderly  liquidation
      of  portfolio  securities  or to  maintain  liquidity  in the event of an
      unanticipated  failure to complete a portfolio  security  transaction  or
      other similar situations) or reverse repurchase agreements, provided that
      collateral  arrangements  with respect to options and futures,  including
      deposits of initial  deposit and variation  margin,  are not considered a
      pledge of assets for purposes of this  restriction and except that assets
      may be pledged  to secure  letters  of credit  solely for the  purpose of
      participating in a captive  insurance company sponsored by the Investment
      Company Institute;  for additional related  restrictions,  see clause (1)
      under the  caption  "Additional  Restrictions"  below.  (As an  operating
      policy, the Portfolio may not engage in dollar roll transactions);

(2)   underwrite  securities  issued by other  persons  except  insofar  as the
      Portfolio may technically be deemed an underwriter  under the 1933 Act in
      selling a portfolio security;

(3)   make  loans to other  persons  except:  (a)  through  the  lending of the
      Portfolio's  portfolio  securities  and provided  that any such loans not
      exceed 30% of the  Portfolio's  net assets (taken at market  value);  (b)
      through the use of  repurchase  agreements  or the purchase of short-term
      obligations;  or  (c)  by  purchasing  a  portion  of an  issue  of  debt
      securities of types distributed publicly or privately;

(4)   purchase or sell real estate (including limited partnership interests but
      excluding  securities  secured  by real  estate  or  interests  therein),
      interests  in  oil,  gas or  mineral  leases,  commodities  or  commodity
      contracts (except futures and option contracts) in the ordinary course of
      business   (except  that  the  Portfolio  may  hold  and  sell,  for  the
      Portfolio's   portfolio,   real  estate  acquired  as  a  result  of  the
      Portfolio's ownership of securities);

(5)   concentrate  its investments in any particular  industry  (excluding U.S.
      Government  securities),   but  if  it  is  deemed  appropriate  for  the
      achievement of a Portfolio's investment objective, up to 25% of its total
      assets may be invested in any one industry; and

(6)   issue any  senior  security  (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) if
      such issuance is specifically prohibited by the 1940 Act or the rules and
      regulations promulgated thereunder, provided that collateral

                                      8
<PAGE>
     arrangements  with respect to options and futures,  including  deposits of
     initial  deposit  and  variation  margin,  are  not  considered  to be the
     issuance of a senior security for purposes of this restriction.

     ADDITIONAL  RESTRICTIONS.  In order to comply with  certain  statutes  and
policies,  the Fund and the Portfolio will not as a matter of operating  policy
(except that no operating  policy shall prevent the Fund from  investing all of
its investable assets in an open-end  investment company with substantially the
same investment objective):

(1)   borrow money (including through dollar roll transactions) for any purpose
      in excess  of 10% of the  Fund's  (Portfolio's)  total  assets  (taken at
      cost),  except  that the Fund  (Portfolio)  may borrow for  temporary  or
      emergency purposes up to 1/3 of its total assets;

(2)   pledge,  mortgage or hypothecate  for any purpose in excess of 10% of the
      Fund's (Portfolio's) total assets (taken at market value),  provided that
      collateral  arrangements  with respect to options and futures,  including
      deposits of initial deposit and variation margin,  and reverse repurchase
      agreements  are not  considered  a pledge of assets for  purposes of this
      restriction;

(3)   purchase any security or evidence of interest  therein on margin,  except
      that such  short-term  credit as may be  necessary  for the  clearance of
      purchases  and  sales of  securities  may be  obtained  and  except  that
      deposits  of  initial  deposit  and  variation  margin  may  be  made  in
      connection with the purchase, ownership, holding or sale of futures;

(4)   sell any security which it does not own unless by virtue of its ownership
      of  other  securities  it has at the  time  of  sale a  right  to  obtain
      securities, without payment of further consideration,  equivalent in kind
      and  amount to the  securities  sold and  provided  that if such right is
      conditional the sale is made upon the same conditions;

(5)   invest for the purpose of exercising control or management;

(6)   purchase  securities issued by any investment  company except by purchase
      in the open market where no  commission  or profit to a sponsor or dealer
      results from such purchase other than the customary broker's  commission,
      or except when such purchase, though not made in the open market, is part
      of a plan of merger or consolidation;  provided, however, that securities
      of any investment  company will not be purchased for the Fund (Portfolio)
      if such  purchase at the time thereof  would cause:  (a) more than 10% of
      the Fund's  (Portfolio's)  total assets  (taken at the greater of cost or
      market value) to be invested in the securities of such issuers;  (b) more
      than 5% of the Fund's (Portfolio's) total assets (taken at the greater of
      cost or market value) to be invested in any one  investment  company;  or
      (c) more than 3% of the outstanding  voting securities of any such issuer
      to be held for the Fund (Portfolio); and provided further that, except in
      the case of  merger  or  consolidation,  the Fund  (Portfolio)  shall not
      invest  in  any  other  open-end   investment  company  unless  the  Fund
      (Portfolio),  (i)  waives the  investment  advisory  fee with  respect to
      assets invested in other open-end investment companies and (ii) incurs no
      sales charge in connection  with the investment (as an operating  policy,
      the Portfolio will not invest in another open-end  registered  investment
      company);

(7)   invest more than 15% of the Fund's (Portfolio's) net assets (taken at the
      greater of cost or market value) in  securities  that are illiquid or not
      readily  marketable not including (a) Rule 144A securities that have been
      determined  to be  liquid  by the  Board of  Directors/Trustees;  and (b)
      commercial  paper that is sold under  section 4(2) of the 1933 Act which:
      (i) is not traded  flat or in default as to interest  or  principal;  and
      (ii) is  rated  in one of the two  highest  categories  by at  least  two
      nationally recognized  statistical rating organizations  (NRSROs) and the
      Fund's  (Portfolio's)  Board of  Directors/Trustees  have  determined the
      commercial  paper  to be  liquid;  or  (iii)  is  rated in one of the two
      highest  categories  by one NRSRO and the Fund's  (Portfolio's)  Board of
      Directors/Trustees   have  determined   that  the  commercial   paper  is
      equivalent quality and is liquid;

(8)   invest more than 10% of the Fund's  (Portfolio's)  total assets (taken at
      the greater of cost or market value) in securities that are restricted as
      to resale  under the 1933 Act  (other  than Rule 144A  securities  deemed
      liquid by the Fund's (Portfolio's) Board of Directors/Trustees);

(9)   no more than 5% of the Fund's  (Portfolio's) total assets are invested in
      securities issued by issuers which (including  predecessors) have been in
      operation less than three years;

(10)  with respect to 75% of the Fund's  (Portfolio's)  total assets,  purchase
      securities of any issuer if such purchase at the time thereof would cause
      the Fund  (Portfolio) to hold more than 10% of any class of securities of
      such issuer,  for which purposes all  indebtedness  of an issuer shall be
      deemed a single  class  and all  preferred  stock of an  issuer  shall be
      deemed a single class,  except that futures or option contracts shall not
      be subject to this restriction;

(11)  if the Fund  (Portfolio) is a diversified fund with respect to 75% of its
      assets,  invest  more  than  5% of its  total  assets  in the  securities
      (excluding U.S. Government securities) of any one issuer;

(12)  purchase or retain in the Fund's  (Portfolio's)  portfolio any securities
      issued  by an  issuer  any of  whose  officers,  directors,  trustees  or
      security holders is an officer or Director of the Company (or Trustee of

                                      9
<PAGE>

      the  Portfolio),  or is an officer or partner of the  Manager (or Bankers
      Trust),  if after the purchase of the  securities  of such issuer for the
      Fund (Portfolio) one or more of such persons owns  beneficially more than
      1/2 of 1% of the  shares  or  securities,  or both,  all  taken at market
      value,  of such issuer,  and such persons  owning more than of 1% of such
      shares  or  securities  together  own  beneficially  more than 5% of such
      shares or securities, or both, all taken at market value;

(13)  invest  more than 5% of the Fund's  (Portfolio's)  net assets in warrants
      (valued at the lower of cost or market), (other than warrants acquired by
      the Fund  [Portfolio]  as part of a unit or attached to securities at the
      time of purchase),  but not more than 2% of the Fund's  (Portfolio's) net
      assets may be invested in warrants not listed on the NYSE or the American
      Stock Exchange;

(14)  make short sales of  securities or maintain a short  position,  unless at
      all times when a short  position is open it owns an equal  amount of such
      securities  or  securities  convertible  into  or  exchangeable,  without
      payment of any further  consideration,  for  securities of the same issue
      and equal in amount to, the  securities  sold short,  and unless not more
      than 10% of the Fund's  (Portfolio's)  net assets (taken at market value)
      is  represented by such  securities,  or securities  convertible  into or
      exchangeable for such  securities,  at any one time (the Fund [Portfolio]
      has no current intention to engage in short selling);

(15)  write  puts  and  calls  on  securities  unless  each  of  the  following
      conditions are met: (a) the security underlying the put or call is within
      the investment  policies of the Fund (Portfolio) and the option is issued
      by the  Options  Clearing  Corporation,  except for put and call  options
      issued  by  non-U.S.  entities  or  listed  on  non-U.S.   securities  or
      commodities  exchanges;  (b)  the  aggregate  value  of  the  obligations
      underlying the puts  determined as of the date the options are sold shall
      not exceed 50% of the Fund's (Portfolio's) net assets; (c) the securities
      subject to the exercise of the call written by the Fund  (Portfolio) must
      be owned by the  Fund  (Portfolio)  at the time the call is sold and must
      continue  to be  owned by the Fund  (Portfolio)  until  the call has been
      exercised,  has lapsed,  or the Fund  (Portfolio) has purchased a closing
      call, and such purchase has been  confirmed,  thereby  extinguishing  the
      Fund's  (Portfolio's)  obligation to deliver  securities  pursuant to the
      call  it has  sold;  and  (d) at the  time  a put is  written,  the  Fund
      (Portfolio)   establishes   a  segregated   account  with  its  custodian
      consisting  of cash or short-term  U.S.  Government  securities  equal in
      value to the amount the Fund  (Portfolio)  will be  obligated to pay upon
      exercise of the put (this  account  must be  maintained  until the put is
      exercised,  has expired,  or the Fund (Portfolio) has purchased a closing
      put,  which is a put of the same series as the one  previously  written);
      and

(16)  buy and sell puts and calls on securities, stock index futures or options
      on stock index  futures,  or  financial  futures or options on  financial
      futures  unless such  options are written by other  persons  and: (a) the
      options or futures  are  offered  through  the  facilities  of a national
      securities  association  or  are  listed  on  a  national  securities  or
      commodities exchange,  except for put and call options issued by non-U.S.
      entities or listed on non-U.S.  securities or commodities exchanges;  (b)
      the  aggregate  premiums  paid on all such options  which are held at any
      time do not exceed 20% of the Fund's  (Portfolio's) total net assets; and
      (c) the aggregate margin deposits required on all such futures or options
      thereon  held at any time do not  exceed 5% of the  Fund's  (Portfolio's)
      total assets.

                   PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS    

Bankers Trust is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities,  futures
contracts and options on such  securities  and futures for the  Portfolio,  the
selection  of  brokers,  dealers  and futures  commission  merchants  to effect
transactions  and the  negotiation of brokerage  commissions,  if any.  Broker-
dealers may receive brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions,  including
options,  futures and options on futures transactions and the purchase and sale
of underlying  securities upon the exercise of options.  Orders may be directed
to any broker-dealer or futures  commission  merchant,  including to the extent
and  in  the  manner   permitted  by  applicable  law,  Bankers  Trust  or  its
subsidiaries or affiliates. Purchases and sales of certain portfolio securities
on behalf of the  Portfolio  are  frequently  placed by Bankers  Trust with the
issuer or a primary or secondary  market-maker  for these  securities  on a net
basis,  without any brokerage  commission being paid by the Portfolio.  Trading
does, however, involve transaction costs.  Transactions with dealers serving as
market-makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices.  Transaction
costs  may also  include  fees  paid to third  parties  for  information  as to
potential purchasers or sellers of securities. Purchases of underwritten issues
may be made which will include an underwriting fee paid to the underwriter.

     Bankers  Trust  seeks  to  evaluate  the  overall  reasonableness  of  the
brokerage commissions paid (to the extent applicable) in placing orders for the
purchase  and sale of  securities  for the  Portfolio  taking into account such
factors as price,  commission  (negotiable  in the case of national  securities
exchange  transactions),  if any,  size of order,  difficulty  of execution and
skill  required  of  the  executing   broker-dealer  through  familiarity  with
commissions  charged  on  comparable  transactions,  as  well  as by  comparing
commissions  paid by the  Portfolio  to  reported  commissions  paid by others.
Bankers  Trust  reviews on a routine  basis  commission  rates,  execution  and
settlement services performed, making internal and external comparisons.

                                     10
<PAGE>
     Bankers  Trust  is  authorized,  consistent  with  Section  28(e)  of  the
Securities   Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended,   when  placing   portfolio
transactions for the Portfolio with a broker to pay a brokerage  commission (to
the  extent  applicable)  in excess of that  which  another  broker  might have
charged  for  effecting  the same  transaction  on  account  of the  receipt of
research,  market or statistical  information.  The term  "research,  market or
statistical  information"  includes  advice as to the value of securities;  the
advisability   of  investing  in,   purchasing  or  selling   securities;   the
availability  of  securities  or  purchasers  or  sellers  of  securities;  and
furnishing  analyses and reports concerning  issuers,  industries,  securities,
economic  factors  and  trends,  portfolio  strategy  and  the  performance  of
accounts.

     Consistent with the policy stated above, the Rules of Fair Practice of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and such other policies as the
Trustees of the Portfolio may  determine,  Bankers Trust may consider  sales of
shares of any  investment  company that invests in the Portfolio as a factor in
the selection of  broker-dealers  to execute  portfolio  transactions.  Bankers
Trust will make such allocations if commissions are comparable to those charged
by nonaffiliated, qualified broker-dealers for similar services.

     Higher  commissions may be paid to firms that provide research services to
the extent permitted by law. Bankers Trust may use this research information in
managing the Portfolio's assets, as well as the assets of other clients.

     Except for implementing  the policies stated above,  there is no intention
to place portfolio  transactions  with particular  brokers or dealers or groups
thereof. In effecting transactions in over-the-counter  securities,  orders are
placed with the principal  market-makers  for the security being traded unless,
after  exercising  care, it appears that more  favorable  results are available
otherwise.

     Although certain research, market and statistical information from brokers
and  dealers can be useful to the  Portfolio  and to Bankers  Trust,  it is the
opinion  of the  management  of the  Portfolio  that such  information  is only
supplementary  to Bankers  Trust's own research  effort,  since the information
must still be analyzed,  weighed and reviewed by Bankers  Trust's  staff.  Such
information  may be useful to Bankers  Trust in  providing  services to clients
other than the  Portfolio's,  and not all such  information  is used by Bankers
Trust in connection with the Portfolio.  Conversely,  such information provided
to Bankers  Trust by brokers and dealers  through whom other clients of Bankers
Trust  effect  securities  transactions  may be  useful  to  Bankers  Trust  in
providing services to the Portfolio.

     In certain  instances  there may be securities  which are suitable for the
Portfolio  as  well  as for  one or more  of  Bankers  Trust's  other  clients.
Investment  decisions for the  Portfolio and for Bankers  Trust's other clients
are made with a view to achieving their respective  investment  objectives.  It
may develop  that a  particular  security is bought or sold for only one client
even  though  it  might be held by,  or  bought  or sold  for,  other  clients.
Likewise,  a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one
or more clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous  transactions
are inevitable  when several clients  receive  investment  advice from the same
investment  adviser,  particularly  when the same  security is suitable for the
investment  objectives  of more than one client.  When two or more  clients are
simultaneously  engaged  in the  purchase  or sale of the  same  security,  the
securities are allocated  among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to
each. It is recognized  that in some cases this system could have a detrimental
effect  on the  price or  volume of the  security  as far as the  Portfolio  is
concerned.  However,  it is  believed  that the  ability  of the  Portfolio  to
participate  in volume  transactions  will produce  better  executions  for the
Portfolio.
   
     For the years ended December 31, 1997,  1996, and 1995, the Portfolio paid
brokerage  commissions  in the  amount of  $341,058,  $289,791,  and  $172,924,
respectively.
    
                           FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF SHARES  
   
The Company is authorized to issue shares in separate series or Funds. Ten such
Funds have been  established,  one of which is described in this SAI. Under the
Articles of  Incorporation,  the Board of Directors is authorized to create new
Funds in addition to those already existing without shareholder approval.

     The Fund's assets and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
subject only to the rights of  creditors,  are  specifically  allocated to such
Fund.  They  constitute the  underlying  assets of the Fund, are required to be
segregated on the books of account,  and are to be charged with the expenses of
such Fund.  Any general  expenses of the  Company not readily  identifiable  as
belonging  to a  particular  Fund are  allocated  on the  basis  of the  Funds'
relative net assets during the fiscal year or in such other manner as the Board
determines  to be fair and  equitable.  Each share of each Fund  represents  an
equal  proportionate  interest  in that  Fund  with  every  other  share and is
entitled to such dividends and  distributions out of the net income and capital
gains belonging to that Fund when declared by the Board of Directors.

     Under the  provisions of the Bylaws of the Company,  no annual  meeting of
shareholders is required. Thus, there will ordinarily be no shareholder meeting
unless  required  by  the  1940  Act.  Under  certain  circumstances,  however,
shareholders  may apply for  shareholder  information  to obtain  signatures to
request a special shareholder meeting. Moreover,  pursuant to the Bylaws of the
Company, any Director

                                     11
<PAGE>
may be removed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding Company
shares; and holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company can
require  Directors to call a meeting of shareholders  for the purpose of voting
on the  removal  of one or  more  Directors.  On any  matter  submitted  to the
shareholders,  the holder of each Fund share is  entitled to one vote per share
(with  proportionate  voting for fractional  shares) regardless of the relative
NAVs of the Funds' shares.  However, on matters affecting an individual Fund, a
separate vote of the shareholders of that Fund is required. Shareholders of the
Fund are not entitled to vote on any matter which does not affect that Fund but
which requires a separate vote of another Fund.  Shares do not have  cumulative
voting  rights,  which means that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting
for the  election  of  Directors  can  elect  100% of the  Company's  Board  of
Directors,  and the  holders  of less  than 50% of the  shares  voting  for the
election of Directors will not be able to elect any person as a Director.
    
     Shareholders of a particular Fund might have the power to elect all of the
Directors  of the  Company  because  that  Fund  has a  majority  of the  total
outstanding  shares of the Company.  When issued,  each Fund's shares are fully
paid and  nonassessable,  have no pre-emptive or subscription  rights,  and are
fully transferable. There are no conversion rights.

                                TAX CONSIDERATIONS  

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated  investment company under Subchapter
M of the Code.  Accordingly,  the Fund will not be liable  for  federal  income
taxes on its taxable net investment income and net capital gains (capital gains
in excess of capital  losses) that are  distributed to  shareholders,  provided
that the Fund  distributes  at least 90% of its net  investment  income and net
short-term capital gain for the taxable year.
   
     To qualify as a regulated  investment company,  the Fund must, among other
things,  (1) derive in each  taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from
dividends,  interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the
sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies,  or other
income  derived  with  respect to its  business  of  investing  in such  stock,
securities,   or   currencies   (the  90%  test);   and  (2)  satisfy   certain
diversification  requirements,  at the  close  of each  quarter  of the  Fund's
taxable year.
    
     The Code imposes a nondeductible  4% excise tax on a regulated  investment
company that fails to  distribute  during each calendar year an amount at least
equal  to the sum of (1)  98% of its  taxable  net  investment  income  for the
calendar  year,  (2) 98% of its  capital  gain net income for the  twelve-month
period  ending on October 31, and (3) any prior  amounts not  distributed.  The
Fund intends to make such distributions as are necessary to avoid imposition of
the excise tax.
   
     Taxable  distributions  are generally  included in a  shareholder's  gross
income for the taxable year in which they are received.  Dividends  declared in
October,  November,  or December and made payable to  shareholders of record in
such a month will be deemed to have been  received on December  31, if the Fund
pays the dividend  during the following  January.  If a shareholder of the Fund
receives a  distribution  taxable as  long-term  capital  gain with  respect to
shares of the Fund and  redeems or  exchanges  the shares  before he or she has
held them for more than six months,  any loss on the  redemption  or  exchanges
that is less than or equal to the amount of the distribution will be treated as
long-term capital loss.
    
     The Portfolio is not subject to federal income taxation. Instead, the Fund
and other  investors  investing in the  Portfolio  must take into  account,  in
computing  their federal income tax liability,  their share of the  Portfolio's
income,  gains, losses,  deductions,  credits and tax preference items, without
regard to whether they have received any cash distributions from the Portfolio.

     Distributions  received by the Fund from the Portfolio  generally will not
result  in the  Fund's  recognizing  any gain or loss for  federal  income  tax
purposes,  except that: (1) gain will be recognized to the extent that any cash
distributed  exceeds the Fund's basis in its interest in the Portfolio prior to
the  distribution;  (2) income or gain may be realized if the  distribution  is
made in liquidation of the Fund's entire interest in the Portfolio and includes
a disproportionate  share of any unrealized  receivables held by the Portfolio;
and (3) loss may be recognized if the  distribution  is made in  liquidation of
the Fund's entire  interest in the Portfolio and consists solely of cash and/or
unrealized  receivables.  The Fund's  basis in its  interest  in the  Portfolio
generally will equal the amount of cash and the basis of any property which the
Fund invests in the Portfolio, increased by the Fund's share of income from the
Portfolio,  and decreased by the amount of any cash distributions and the basis
of any property distributed from the Portfolio.

     Any  gain or  loss  realized  by a  shareholder  upon  the  sale or  other
disposition  of  shares of the  Fund,  or upon  receipt  of a  distribution  in
complete  liquidation  of the Fund,  generally  will be a capital  gain or loss
which  will  be  long-term  or   short-term,   generally   depending  upon  the
shareholder's  holding  period for the shares.  Any loss  realized on a sale or
exchange will be  disallowed to the extent the shares  disposed of are replaced
(including shares acquired pursuant to a dividend  reinvestment  plan) within a
period of 61 days

                                     12
<PAGE>
beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after disposition of the shares. In
such a case,  the basis of the shares  acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed  loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on a disposition of shares
held by the  shareholder  for six months or less will be treated as a long-term
capital loss to the extent of any  distributions  of net capital gains received
by the shareholder with respect to such shares.

                      DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY  
   
The Board of Directors of the Company  consists of seven  Directors.  Set forth
below are the Directors and officers of the Company,  their respective  offices
and  principal  occupations  during  the  last  five  years.  Unless  otherwise
indicated,  the  business  address  of each is 9800  Fredericksburg  Road,  San
Antonio, TX 78288.

Robert G. Davis 1, 2
Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Age: 51

President, Chief Executive Officer, Director, and Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors  of USAA  Capital  Corporation  and several of its  subsidiaries  and
affiliates  (1/97-present);  President,  Chief Executive Officer, Director, and
Chairman of the Board of Directors of USAA  Financial  Planning  Network,  Inc.
(1/97-present);  Executive Vice President,  Chief Operating Officer,  Director,
and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of USAA Financial Planning Network,
Inc.  (9/96-1/97);  Special Assistant to Chairman,  United Services  Automobile
Association (USAA)  (6/96-12/96);  President and Chief Executive Officer,  Banc
One Credit Corporation (12/95-6/96); and President and Chief Executive Officer,
Banc One Columbus,  (8/91-12/95). Mr. Davis serves as a Trustee and Chairman of
the Boards of Trustees of USAA  Investment  Trust and USAA State Tax-Free Trust
and as a Director and  Chairman of the Boards of  Directors of USAA  Investment
Management Company (IMCO), USAA Tax Exempt Fund, Inc., USAA Shareholder Account
Services, USAA Federal Savings Bank, and USAA Real Estate Company.

Michael J.C. Roth 1, 2
Director, President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Age: 56
    
Chief Executive Officer, IMCO (10/93-present);  President,  Director,  and Vice
Chairman of the Board of  Directors,  IMCO  (1/90-present).  Mr. Roth serves as
President,  Trustee,  and Vice  Chairman  of the  Boards  of  Trustees  of USAA
Investment  Trust and USAA State Tax-Free  Trust, as President,  Director,  and
Vice Chairman of the Boards of Directors of USAA Tax Exempt Fund, Inc. and USAA
Shareholder Account Services, as Director of USAA Life Insurance Company and as
Trustee and Vice Chairman of USAA Life Investment Trust.
   
John W. Saunders, Jr. 1, 2, 4
Director and Vice President
Age: 63

Senior Vice President,  Fixed Income  Investments,  IMCO  (10/85-present).  Mr.
Saunders serves as Trustee and Vice President of USAA Investment Trust and USAA
State  Tax-Free  Trust,  Director  and Vice  President of USAA Tax Exempt Fund,
Inc.,  Director of IMCO, as Senior Vice President of USAA  Shareholder  Account
Services, and as Vice President of USAA Life Investment Trust.

Barbara B. Dreeben 3, 4, 5
200 Patterson #1008
San Antonio, TX  78209
Director
Age: 52
    
President,   Postal  Addvantage  (7/92-present);   Consultant,   Nancy  Harkins
Stationer  (8/91-12/95).  Mrs.  Dreeben serves as a Trustee of USAA  Investment
Trust and USAA State  Tax-Free Trust and as a Director of USAA Tax Exempt Fund,
Inc.
   
Howard L. Freeman, Jr. 2, 3, 4, 5 
2710 Hopeton
San Antonio, TX  78230
Director
Age: 62
    
Retired. Assistant General Manager for Finance, San Antonio City Public Service
Board (1976-1996). Mr. Freeman serves as a Trustee of USAA Investment Trust and
USAA State Tax-Free Trust and as a Director of USAA Tax Exempt Fund, Inc.

                                     13
<PAGE>
   
Robert L. Mason, Ph.D. 3, 4, 5
12823 Queens Forest
San Antonio, TX  78230
Director
Age: 51
    
Manager,  Statistical  Analysis Section,  Southwest  Research  Institute (8/75-
Present). Dr. Mason serves as a Trustee of USAA Investment Trust and USAA State
Tax-Free Trust and as a Director of USAA Tax Exempt Fund, Inc.
   
Richard A. Zucker 3, 4, 5
407 Arch Bluff
San Antonio, TX  78216
Director
Age: 54
    
Vice President, Beldon Roofing and Remodeling (1985-present). Mr. Zucker serves
as a Trustee of USAA  Investment  Trust and USAA State  Tax-Free Trust and as a
Director of USAA Tax Exempt Fund, Inc.
   
Michael D. Wagner 1
Secretary
Age: 49
    
Vice President,  Corporate Counsel,  USAA  (1982-present).  Mr. Wagner has held
various positions in the legal department of USAA since 1970 and serves as Vice
President,  Secretary, and Counsel, IMCO and USAA Shareholder Account Services,
Secretary,  USAA  Investment  Trust,  USAA State Tax-Free  Trust,  and USAA Tax
Exempt Fund,  Inc. and as Vice President,  Corporate  Counsel for various other
USAA subsidiaries and affiliates.
   
Alex M. Ciccone 1
Assistant Secretary
Age: 48
    
Vice  President,  Compliance,  IMCO  (12/94-present);  Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer,  Commonwealth  Shareholder Services  (6/94-11/94);  and Vice
President,  Compliance,  IMCO  (12/91-5/94).  Mr.  Ciccone  serves as Assistant
Secretary of USAA Investment  Trust,  USAA State Tax-Free  Trust,  and USAA Tax
Exempt Fund, Inc.
   
Mark S. Howard 1
Assistant Secretary
Age: 34

Assistant Vice President,  Securities Counsel,  USAA (2/98-present);  Executive
Director,  Securities  Counsel,  USAA  (9/96-2/98);  Senior Associate  Counsel,
Securities  Counsel,  USAA  (5/95-8/96);  Attorney,  Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP
(9/90-4/95). Mr. Howard serves as Assistant Secretary of USAA Investment Trust,
USAA State  Tax-Free  Trust,  and USAA Tax Exempt Fund,  Inc., and as Executive
Director,   Securities   Counsel  for  various  other  USAA   subsidiaries  and
affiliates.

Sherron A. Kirk 1
Treasurer
Age: 53

Vice President, Controller, IMCO (10/92-present). Mrs. Kirk serves as Treasurer
of USAA Investment  Trust, USAA State Tax-Free Trust, and USAA Tax Exempt Fund,
Inc., and as Vice President, Controller of USAA Shareholder Account Services.
    
- ------------------------
1   Indicates those Directors and officers  who are employees of the Manager or
    affiliated companies and are considered "interested persons" under the 1940
    Act.
 2  Member of Executive Committee
 3  Member of Audit Committee
 4  Member of Pricing and Investment Committee
 5  Member of Corporate Governance Committee

     Between the meetings of the Board of Directors  and while the Board is not
in session,  the  Executive  Committee  of the Board of  Directors  has all the
powers  and may  exercise  all the  duties  of the  Board of  Directors  in the
management  of the business of the Company  which may be delegated to it by the
Board. The

                                     14
<PAGE>
Pricing and  Investment  Committee of the Board of Directors  acts upon various
investment-related  issues and other matters which have been delegated to it by
the Board. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors  reviews the financial
statements  and the  auditor's  reports  and  undertakes  certain  studies  and
analyses as directed by the Board.  The Corporate  Governance  Committee of the
Board of Directors  maintains oversight of the organization,  performance,  and
effectiveness of the Board and independent Directors.

     In addition to the  previously  listed  Directors  and/or  officers of the
Company  who also  serve as  Directors  and/or  officers  of the  Manager,  the
following  individuals are Directors and/or executive  officers of the Manager:
Harry W. Miller, Senior Vice President,  Investments (Equity), Carl W. Shirley,
Senior Vice  President,  Insurance  Company  Portfolios;  and John J. Dallahan,
Senior Vice President,  Investment Services.  There are no family relationships
among the Directors, officers, and managerial level employees of the Company or
its Manager.
   
     The following table sets forth information  describing the compensation of
the current  Directors of the Company for their  services as Directors  for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

     NAME                       AGGREGATE             TOTAL COMPENSATION
      OF                       COMPENSATION              FROM THE USAA
   DIRECTOR                  FROM THE COMPANY         FAMILY OF FUNDS (b)

Barbara B. Dreeben             $ 8,523                  $ 34,500
Howard L. Freeman, Jr.           8,523                    34,500
Robert L. Mason                  8,523                    34,500
Robert G. Davis                   None (a)                  None (a)
Michael J.C. Roth                 None (a)                  None (a)
John W. Saunders, Jr.             None (a)                  None (a)
Richard A. Zucker                8,523                    34,500
- --------------------

(a)  Robert  G.  Davis,  Michael  J.C.  Roth,  and John W.  Saunders,  Jr.  are
     affiliated with the Company's investment adviser,  IMCO, and, accordingly,
     receive  no  remuneration  from the  Company or any other Fund of the USAA
     Family of Funds.

(b)  At  December  31,  1997,  the  USAA  Family  of  Funds  consisted  of four
     registered   investment  companies  offering  35  individual  funds.  Each
     Director  presently  serves as a Director  or  Trustee of each  investment
     company  in the USAA  Family of Funds.  In  addition,  Michael  J.C.  Roth
     presently serves as a Trustee of USAA Life Investment  Trust, a registered
     investment  company advised by IMCO,  consisting of seven funds offered to
     investors  in a  fixed  and  variable  annuity  contract  with  USAA  Life
     Insurance  Company.  Mr. Roth receives no  compensation as Trustee of USAA
     Life Investment Trust.

     All of the above Directors are also  Directors/Trustees of the other funds
within the USAA  Family of Funds.  No  compensation  is paid by any fund to any
Director/Trustee  who is a  director,  officer,  or  employee  of  IMCO  or its
affiliates.  No  pension or  retirement  benefits  are  accrued as part of fund
expenses.  The Company reimburses certain expenses of the Directors who are not
affiliated  with the investment  adviser.  As of January 31, 1998, the officers
and Directors of the Company and their  families as a group owned  beneficially
or of record less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Company.

     As of January 31, 1998,  USAA and its affiliates  owned  8,510,690  shares
(19%) of the USAA S&P 500 Index Fund.

     The Company knows of no other persons who, as of January 31, 1998, held of
record  or owned  beneficially  5% or more of the  voting  stock of the  Fund's
shares.
    
                       TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE PORTFOLIO

The Trustees  and officers of the  Portfolio  and their  principal  occupations
during the past five years are set forth  below.  Their  titles may have varied
during that period. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each Trustee and
officer  is  Clearing  Operations,  P.O.  Box  897,  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,
15230-0897.

     CHARLES P.  BIGGAR  (birthdate:  October  13,  1930) -  Trustee;  Retired;
Director of Chase/NBW Bank Advisory Board;  Director,  Batemen,  Eichler,  Hill
Richards Inc.;  formerly Vice President of International  Business Machines and
President of the National Services and the Field Engineering  Divisions of IBM.
His address is 12 Hitching Post Lane, Chappaqua, New York 10514.
          
     S. LELAND DILL (birthdate:  March 28, 1930) - Trustee; Retired;  Director,
Coutts Group; and Coutts (U.S.A.)  International;  Coutts Trust Holdings,  Ltd;
Director, Zweig Series Trust; formerly Partner of KPMG Peat Marwick;  Director,
Vinters International Company, Inc.; General Partner of Pemco (an

                                     15
<PAGE>
investment  company  registered  under the 1940 Act). His address is 5070 North
Ocean Drive, Singer Island, Florida 33404.

     PHILIP SAUNDERS, JR. (birthdate:  October 11, 1935) - Trustee;  Principal,
Philip Saunders Associates (Consulting);  former Director of Financial Industry
Consulting,  Wolf & Company; President, John Hancock Home Mortgage Corporation;
and Senior Vice  President of Treasury  and  Financial  Services,  John Hancock
Mutual Life  Insurance  Company,  Inc.  His  address is 445 Glen Road,  Weston,
Massachusetts 02193.

     RONALD  M.  PETNUCH  (birthdate:   February  27,  1960)  -  President  and
Treasurer;  Senior  Vice  President;   Federated  Services  Company;  formerly,
Director of Proprietary  Client  Services,  Federated  Administrative  Services
(FAS), and Associate Corporate Counsel, Federated Investors (FI).

     CHARLES L. DAVIS,  JR.  (birthdate:  March 23, 1960) - Vice  President and
Assistant Treasurer; Vice President, FAS.

     JAY S. NEUMAN (birthdate: April 22, 1950) - Secretary;  Corporate Counsel,
FI.
           
No person  who is an  officer or  director  of  Bankers  Trust is an officer or
Trustee of the Portfolio.  No director,  officer or employee of Edgewood or any
of its affiliates will receive any compensation  from the Portfolio for serving
as an  officer  or  Trustee  of the  Portfolio  and  certain  other  investment
companies advised by Bankers Trust (the Fund Complex).
   
     The  following  table  reflects fees paid to the Trustees of the Portfolio
for the year ended December 31, 1997.
    
                         TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE

                                AGGREGATE              TOTAL COMPENSATION
        NAME OF PERSON,         COMPENSATION           FROM FUND COMPLEX
        POSITION                FROM PORTFOLIO         PAID TO TRUSTEES
   
        Charles P. Biggar          $641                    $27,500 
        Trustee

        S. Leland Dill             $641                    $27,500
        Trustee

        Philip Saunders, Jr.       $641                    $27,500
        Trustee
    
     Bankers Trust  reimbursed  the  Portfolio for a portion of their  Trustees
fees for the period above. See INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR below.

                               INVESTMENT ADVISER

As described in the Fund's  Prospectus,  USAA Investment  Management Company is
the Manager and investment adviser, providing the services under the Management
Agreement. The Manager, organized in May 1970, has served as investment adviser
and underwriter for USAA Mutual Fund, Inc. from its inception.
   
     In addition to the services it provides  under the  Management  Agreement,
the Manager  advises and manages the  investments  for USAA and its  affiliated
companies  as well as those of USAA  Investment  Trust,  USAA Tax Exempt  Fund,
Inc., USAA State Tax-Free Trust, and USAA Life Investment Trust. As of the date
of this SAI,  total assets under  management by the Manager were  approximately
$____  billion,  of  which  approximately  $___  billion  were in  mutual  fund
portfolios.
    
     Under  the  Management  Agreement,  the  Manager  presently  monitors  the
services  provided by Bankers Trust to the Portfolio.  The Manager  receives no
fee for providing these monitoring  services.  In the event the Fund's Board of
Directors  determines it is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders to
withdraw its investment in the Portfolio,  the Manager would become responsible
for directly managing the assets of the Fund. In such event, the Fund would pay
the  Manager an annual fee of .10% of the Fund's  ANA,  accrued  daily and paid
monthly.

The  Management  Agreement  will remain in effect until April 30, 1999, for the
Fund and will continue in effect from year to year  thereafter  for the Fund as
long as it is approved at least  annually by a vote of the  outstanding  voting
securities  of the  Fund  (as  defined  by the  1940  Act) or by the  Board  of
Directors  (on behalf of such Fund)  including a majority of the  Directors who
are not interested  persons of the Manager or (otherwise  than as Directors) of
the Company, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

                                     16
<PAGE>
The Management Agreement may be terminated at any time by either the Company or
the Manager on 60 days' written notice. It will automatically  terminate in the
event of its assignment (as defined by the 1940 Act).

     From time to time the Manager may,  without prior notice to  shareholders,
waive all or any portion of fees or agree to reimburse expenses incurred by the
Fund.  The  Manager  has  voluntarily  agreed  to limit  the  aggregate  annual
operating  expenses  of the Fund and the  Portfolio  to .18% of the  Fund's ANA
until May 1, 1999,  and will  reimburse  the Fund for all expenses in excess of
such  limitation.  After May 1, 1999, any such waiver or  reimbursement  may be
terminated by the Manager at any time without prior notice to the shareholders.

     Under the terms of the  Portfolio's  investment  advisory  agreement  with
Bankers  Trust (the  Advisory  Agreement),  Bankers Trust manages the Portfolio
subject  to the  supervision  and  direction  of the Board of  Trustees  of the
Portfolio.   Bankers  Trust  will:  (1)  act  in  strict  conformity  with  the
Portfolio's  Declaration of Trust, the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, as the same may from time to time be amended; (2) manage the Portfolio
in accordance  with the  Portfolio's  investment  objective,  restrictions  and
policies;  (3) make  investment  decisions  for the  Portfolio;  and (4)  place
purchase and sale orders for  securities  and other  financial  instruments  on
behalf of the Portfolio.

     Bankers Trust bears all expenses in  connection  with the  performance  of
services  under the Advisory  Agreement.  The Fund and the Portfolio  each bear
certain other expenses incurred in its operation,  including:  taxes, interest,
brokerage  fees and  commissions,  if any; fees of Trustees of the Portfolio or
Directors  of the Company  who are not  officers,  directors  or  employees  of
Bankers Trust, Edgewood or any of their affiliates, the Manager or any of their
affiliates;  SEC fees  and  state  Blue  Sky  qualification  fees;  charges  of
custodians  and transfer  and dividend  disbursing  agents;  certain  insurance
premiums;  outside  auditing  and  legal  expenses;  costs  of  maintenance  of
corporate  existence;  costs  attributable  to  investor  services,  including,
without limitation,  telephone and personnel  expenses;  costs of preparing and
printing  prospectuses and statements of additional  information for regulatory
purposes and for distribution to existing shareholders;  costs of shareholders'
reports and meetings of shareholders, officers and Trustees of the Portfolio or
Directors of the Company; and any extraordinary expenses.
   
     For the years ended  December  31, 1997,  1996,  and 1995,  Bankers  Trust
earned $2,430,147,  $1,505,963, and $770,530, respectively, as compensation for
investment  advisory  services  provided  to the  Portfolio.  During  the  same
periods,   Bankers  Trust  reimbursed   $1,739,490,   $870,024,  and  $418,814,
respectively, to the Portfolio to cover advisory and administrative expenses.
    
     The Fund's  Prospectus  contains  disclosures  as to the amount of Bankers
Trust's  investment  advisory and services  fees,  including  waivers  thereof.
Bankers Trust may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory and services
fees.  Such  waivers  by  Bankers  Trust  shall  stay in effect for at least 12
months.
   
     Bankers  Trust  may  have  deposit,  loan  and  other  commercial  banking
relationships  with the issuers of obligations which may be purchased on behalf
of the Portfolio,  including  outstanding  loans to such issuers which could be
repaid in whole or in part with the proceeds of securities  so purchased.  Such
affiliates  deal,  trade and invest for their own accounts in such  obligations
and are among the leading dealers of various types of such obligations. Bankers
Trust has informed the Portfolio that, in making its investment  decisions,  it
does not obtain or use material inside  information in its possession or in the
possession of any of its affiliates.  In making investment  recommendations for
the  Portfolio,  Bankers  Trust  will not  inquire  or take into  consideration
whether an issuer of securities  proposed for purchase or sale by the Portfolio
is a customer of Bankers Trust,  its parent or its  subsidiaries  or affiliates
and, in dealing with its customers, Bankers Trust, its parent, subsidiaries and
affiliates will not inquire or take into  consideration  whether  securities of
such customers are held by any fund managed by Bankers Trust or such affiliate.
    
                                 ADMINISTRATOR

Under the terms of the Fund's  administration  agreement with the Manager,  the
Manager is  obligated  on a  continuous  basis to provide  such  administrative
services as the Board of Directors of the Company  reasonably  deems  necessary
for the proper administration of the Fund. The Manager will generally assist in
all aspects of the Fund's  operations;  supply and maintain office  facilities,
statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical,  accounting,
bookkeeping  and  recordkeeping  services  (including  without  limitation  the
maintenance  of such books and records as are  required  under the 1940 Act and
the rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), internal auditing,
executive and  administrative  services,  and stationery  and office  supplies;
prepare reports to shareholders; prepare and file tax returns; supply financial
information  and  supporting  data for reports to and filings  with the SEC and
various  state  Blue  Sky  authorities;  supply  supporting  documentation  for
meetings of the Board of Directors;  provide  monitoring reports and assistance
regarding  compliance with its Articles of Incorporation,  by-laws,  investment
objectives and policies and with federal and state securities laws; arrange for
appropriate  insurance  coverage;  calculate net asset  values,  net income and
realized  capital  gains  or  losses;  and  negotiate  arrangements  with,  and
supervise  and  coordinate  the  activities  of,  agents  and  others to supply
services.
 
                                      17
<PAGE>

     Pursuant to a  sub-administration  agreement between the Manager,  Bankers
Trust and  Investors  Fiduciary  Trust Company  (IFTC) (the  Sub-Administration
Agreement),  IFTC performs such sub-administration  duties for the Fund as from
time to time may be agreed upon by the  Manager,  Bankers  Trust and IFTC.  The
Sub-Administration  Agreement provides that IFTC will receive such compensation
from  Bankers  Trust as from  time to time may be agreed  upon by the  Manager,
Bankers Trust and IFTC.
       
     Under the  administration and services agreement between the Portfolio and
Bankers Trust, Bankers Trust is obligated on a continuous basis to provide such
administrative  services as the Board of Trustees of the  Portfolio  reasonably
deems necessary for the proper  administration of the Portfolio.  Bankers Trust
will generally assist in all aspects of the Portfolio's operations;  supply and
maintain  office  facilities  (which may be in Bankers  Trust's  own  offices),
statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical,  accounting,
bookkeeping  and  recordkeeping  services  (including  without  limitation  the
maintenance  of such books and records as are  required  under the 1940 Act and
the rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), internal auditing,
executive and  administrative  services,  and stationery  and office  supplies;
prepare reports to investors;  prepare and file tax returns;  supply  financial
information  and  supporting  data for reports to and filings  with the SEC and
various  state  Blue  Sky  authorities;  supply  supporting  documentation  for
meetings of the Board of Trustees;  provide  monitoring  reports and assistance
regarding  compliance  with  its  Declaration  of  Trust,  by-laws,  investment
objectives and policies and with federal and state securities laws; arrange for
appropriate  insurance  coverage;  calculate net asset  values,  net income and
realized  capital  gains  or  losses;  and  negotiate  arrangements  with,  and
supervise  and  coordinate  the  activities  of,  agents  and  others to supply
services.
        
     Pursuant  to a  sub-administration  agreement  between  Bankers  Trust and
Federated Services Company (FSC), FSC performs such  sub-administration  duties
for the  Portfolio as from time to time may be agreed upon by Bankers Trust and
FSC.  The  Sub-Administration  Contract  provides  that FSC will  receive  such
compensation  as from time to time may be agreed upon by FSC and Bankers Trust.
All such compensation will be paid by Bankers Trust.
   
     For the years ended  December  31, 1997,  1996,  and 1995,  Bankers  Trust
earned $1,215,073,  $752,981,  and $385,265  respectively,  in compensation for
administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio.
    
                              GENERAL INFORMATION

UNDERWRITER 

The Company has an agreement  with the Manager for exclusive  underwriting  and
distribution  of the Fund's  shares on a continuing  best efforts  basis.  This
agreement  provides that the Manager will receive no fee or other  compensation
for such distribution services.

TRANSFER AGENT 

The Transfer  Agent  performs  transfer  agent services for the Company under a
Transfer Agency Agreement.  Services include maintenance of shareholder account
records,  handling of communications  with  shareholders,  distribution of Fund
dividends,  and  production  of reports  with  respect to account  activity for
shareholders and the Company.

CUSTODIAN

The  Custodian  is  responsible  for,  among  other  things,  safeguarding  and
controlling  the  Company's  cash and  securities,  handling  the  receipt  and
delivery of securities,  and collecting interest on the Company's investment in
the  Portfolio.  Bankers  Trust serves as  custodian  for both the Fund and the
Portfolio.  As custodian,  it holds both the Fund's and the Portfolio's assets.
Bankers  Trust will comply  with the  self-custodian  provisions  of Rule 17f-2
under the 1940 Act.

COUNSEL  

Goodwin,  Procter & Hoar LLP,  Exchange Place,  Boston,  MA 02109,  will review
certain legal matters for the Company in connection  with the shares offered by
the Prospectus.  Willkie Farr & Gallagher,  One Citicorp Center,  153 East 53rd
Street,  New York,  New York  10022-4669,  serves as counsel to the  Portfolio.
   
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS 
    
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,  1100 Main Street,  Suite 900, Kansas City,  Missouri
64105,  has been selected as the  Independent  Accountants for the Fund and the
Portfolio.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The  financial  statements  for the USAA S&P 500 Index  Fund and the Equity 500
Index  Portfolio,  and the  Independent  Accountants'  Reports  thereon for the
fiscal year ended  December  31,  1997,  are  included in the Annual  Report to
Shareholders of that date and are incorporated herein by reference. The Manager
will  deliver a copy of the Fund's  Annual  Report free of charge with each SAI
requested.

                                      18
<PAGE>

                        CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA

Information   regarding  the  total  return  of  the  Fund  is  provided  under
PERFORMANCE  INFORMATION in its Prospectus.  See VALUATION OF SECURITIES herein
for a  discussion  of the  manner  in  which  the  Fund's  price  per  share is
calculated.

TOTAL RETURN 

The Fund may advertise  performance in terms of average annual total return for
1-, 5-, and 10-year periods, or for such lesser periods as the Fund has been in
existence.  Average  annual  total  return is  computed  by finding the average
annual  compounded  rates of return  over the  periods  that  would  equate the
initial  amount  invested  to the ending  redeemable  value,  according  to the
following formula:

                                P(1 + T)n = ERV

Where:   P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000 
         T = average annual total return
         n = number of years
       ERV = ending  redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment  made at
             the  beginning of the 1-, 5-, or 10-year periods at the end of the
             year or period
   
     The  calculation  assumes any charges are deducted from the initial $1,000
payment and assumes all dividends and distributions by such Fund are reinvested
at the price  stated in the  Prospectus  on the  reinvestment  dates during the
period,  and includes all  recurring  fees that are charged to all  shareholder
accounts. For periods after December 31, 1997, performance does not reflect the
annual $10 account  maintenance fee, which fee is waived for accounts of 10,000
or  more.  As of  December  31,  1997,  the  Fund's  average  account  size was
approximately $20,248.  

     The Fund's  total return  for the fiscal  year ended December 31, 1997 was
33.03%.
    
                  APPENDIX A - COMPARISON OF FUND PERFORMANCE

Occasionally,  we may make  comparisons  in  advertising  and sales  literature
between  the Fund  contained  in this SAI and other Funds in the USAA Family of
Funds. These comparisons may include such topics as risk and reward, investment
objectives, investment strategies, and performance.  
   
     Fund  performance  also may be compared to the performance of broad groups
of  mutual  funds  with  similar  investment  goals  or  unmanaged  indices  of
comparable  securities.  Evaluations  of Fund  performance  made by independent
sources  may also be used in  advertisements  concerning  the  Fund,  including
reprints of, or selections  from,  editorials or articles  about the Fund.  The
Fund or its  performance  may also be  compared to products  and  services  not
constituting securities subject to registration under the 1933 Act such as, but
not limited to, certificates of deposit and money market accounts.  Sources for
performance  information  and  articles  about the Fund may include but are not
restricted to the following: 
    
AAII  JOURNAL,  a monthly  association  magazine  for  members of the  American
Association of Individual Investors.

ARIZONA REPUBLIC, a newspaper which may cover financial and investment news.

AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

BANK RATE  MONITOR,  a service which  publishes  rates on various bank products
such as CDs, MMDAs and credit cards.

BARRON'S, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. business and financial weekly that
periodically reviews mutual fund performance data.

BUSINESS  WEEK,  a national  business  weekly  that  periodically  reports  the
performance rankings and ratings of a variety of mutual funds.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

CONSUMER  REPORTS,  a  monthly  magazine  which  from time to time  reports  on
companies in the mutual fund industry.

DALLAS MORNING NEWS, a newspaper which may cover financial news. DENVER POST, a
newspaper which may quote financial news.

FINANCIAL PLANNING, a monthly magazine which may periodically review mutual
fund companies.

FINANCIAL SERVICES WEEK, a weekly newspaper which covers financial news.

FINANCIAL WORLD, a monthly magazine that periodically features companies in the
mutual fund industry.

FORBES,  a  national  business   publication  that  periodically   reports  the
performance of companies in the mutual fund industry.

                                      19
<PAGE>

FORTUNE,   a  national  business   publication  that  periodically   rates  the
performance of a variety of mutual funds.

FUND ACTION, a mutual fund news report.

HOUSTON CHRONICLE, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

HOUSTON POST, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

IBC/DONOGHUE'S  MONEYLETTER,  a biweekly newsletter which covers financial news
and from time to time rates specific mutual funds.

IBC'S MONEY MARKET INSIGHT,  a monthly money market industry  analysis prepared
by IBC USA, Inc.

INCOME AND SAFETY, a monthly newsletter that rates mutual funds.

INVESTECH, a bimonthly investment newsletter.

INVESTMENT  ADVISOR,  a monthly  publication  directed primarily to the advisor
community; includes ranking of mutual funds using a proprietary methodology.

INVESTMENT COMPANY INSTITUTE, the national association of the American
investment company industry.

INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY, a newspaper which covers financial news.

KIPLINGER'S   PERSONAL  FINANCE  MAGAZINE,   a  monthly   investment   advisory
publication  that  periodically  features  the  performance  of  a  variety  of
securities.

LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC.'S FIXED INCOME FUND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS, a
monthly publication of industry-wide  mutual fund performance  averages by type
of fund. 

LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES,  INC.'S MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS, a monthly
publication of industry-wide mutual fund averages by type of fund.

LOS ANGELES TIMES, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

LOUIS RUKEYSER'S WALL STREET, a publication for investors.

MEDICAL  ECONOMICS,  a monthly  magazine  providing  information to the medical
profession.

MONEY, a monthly  magazine that features the performance of both specific funds
and the mutual fund industry as a whole.

MONEY FUND REPORT,  a weekly  publication of the Donoghue  Organization,  Inc.,
reporting on the  performance of the nation's  money market funds,  summarizing
money market fund  activity,  and  including  certain  averages as  performance
benchmarks, specifically "Donoghue's Taxable First Tier Fund Average."

MORNINGSTAR 5 STAR INVESTOR,  a monthly  newsletter which covers financial news
and rates  mutual  funds by  Morningstar,  Inc. (a data  service  which  tracks
open-end mutual funds).

MUTUAL FUND FORECASTER, a monthly newsletter that ranks mutual funds.

MUTUAL FUND INVESTING, a newsletter covering mutual funds.

MUTUAL  FUND  PERFORMANCE   REPORT,  a  monthly   publication  of  mutual  fund
performance and rankings, produced by Morningstar, Inc.

MUTUAL  FUNDS  MAGAZINE,  a  monthly  publication   reporting  on  mutual  fund
investing.

MUTUAL FUND SOURCE BOOK, an annual  publication  produced by Morningstar,  Inc.
which describes and rates mutual funds.

MUTUAL  FUND  VALUES,  a  biweekly   guidebook  to  mutual  funds  produced  by
Morningstar, Inc.

NEWSWEEK, a national business weekly.

NEW YORK TIMES, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

NO LOAD FUND  INVESTOR,  a  newsletter  covering  companies  in the mutual fund
industry.
   
ORLANDO SENTINEL, a newspaper which may cover financial news.
    
PERSONAL  INVESTOR,  a monthly magazine which from time to time features mutual
fund companies and the mutual fund industry.

SAN ANTONIO  BUSINESS  JOURNAL,  a weekly  newspaper that  periodically  covers
mutual fund companies as well as financial news.

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

SMART MONEY,  a monthly  magazine  featuring news and articles on investing and
mutual funds.

USA TODAY, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

U.S.  NEWS AND WORLD  REPORT,  a national  business  weekly  that  periodically
reports mutual fund performance data.

                                      20
<PAGE>

WALL STREET  JOURNAL,  a Dow Jones and  Company,  Inc.  newspaper  which covers
financial news.

WASHINGTON POST, a newspaper which may cover financial news.

WEISENBERGER  MUTUAL FUNDS INVESTMENT REPORT, a monthly newsletter that reports
on both specific mutual fund companies and the mutual fund industry as a whole.

WORTH, a magazine  which covers  financial and  investment  subjects  including
mutual funds.

YOUR MONEY, a monthly magazine directed toward the novice investor.
 
     In addition to the  sources  above,  Lipper  Analytical  Services,  Inc.'s
tracking results may be used. The Fund will be compared to Lipper's appropriate
fund category according to fund objective and portfolio  holdings.  The S&P 500
Index  Fund will be  compared  to funds in  Lipper's  S&P 500  Index  Objective
category.  Footnotes in  advertisements  and other  marketing  literature  will
include the time period applicable for any ranking used.  

     Other  sources for total  return and other  performance  data which may be
used by the Fund or by those  publications  listed  previously are Morningstar,
Inc., Schabaker Investment Management,  and Investment Company Data, Inc. These
are services that collect and compile data on mutual fund companies. 

                      APPENDIX B - DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING

Dollar-cost  averaging  is a systematic  investing  method which can be used by
investors as a disciplined technique for investing.  A fixed amount of money is
invested in a security (such as a stock or mutual fund) on a regular basis over
a period of time,  regardless of  whether  securities  markets are moving up or
down.

     This  practice  reduces  average  share costs to the investor who acquires
more shares in periods of lower  securities  prices and fewer shares in periods
of higher prices.  

     While  dollar-cost  averaging does not assure a profit or protect  against
loss in declining markets, this investment strategy is an effective way to help
calm the effect of fluctuations in the financial markets.  Systematic investing
involves  continuous  investment in securities  regardless of fluctuating price
levels of such securities. Investors should consider their financial ability to
continue purchases through periods of low and high price levels.  

     As the following chart  illustrates,  dollar-cost  averaging tends to keep
the overall cost of shares lower.  This example is for  illustration  only, and
different trends would result in different average costs.

                       HOW DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING WORKS

                      $100 Invested Regularly for 5 Periods
                                 Market Trend
           --------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Down                   Up                    Mixed
           -------------------    --------------------- -----------------------
             Share   Shares       Share     Shares      Share      Shares
Investment   Price   Purchased    Price     Purchased   Price      Purchased
           -------------------    --------------------- -----------------------
$100         10      10             6         16.67      10            10
 100          9      11.1           7         14.29       9            11.1
 100          8      12.5           7         14.29       8            12.5
 100          8      12.5           9         11.1        9            11.1
 100          6      16.67         10         10         10            10
- ----         --      -----         --         -----      --           -----
$500      ***41      62.77      ***39         66.35   ***46           54.7
        *Avg. Cost:  $7.97        *Avg. Cost: $7.54      *Avg. Cost:  $9.14
                     -----                    -----                   -----
      **Avg. Price:  $8.20      **Avg. Price: $7.80    **Avg. Price:  $9.20
                     -----                    -----                   -----

  *   Average Cost is the total amount invested divided by number of 
       shares purchased.
 **   Average Price is the sum of the prices paid divided by number
       of purchases.
***   Cumulative total of share prices used to compute average prices.

                                      21
<PAGE>


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                                      22
<PAGE>

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                                      23
<PAGE>

   
28083-0598
    
<PAGE>

USAA MUTUAL FUND, INC.

PART C.        OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

          (a)  Financial Statements:

               Financial Statements included in Parts A and B (Prospectuses and
               Statement of Additional Information) of this Registration 
               Statement:
   
               Financial Statements and Independent Accountants' Reports are 
               incorporated by reference to the S&P 500 Index Fund and Equity 
               500 Index Portfolio Annual Reports to Shareholders for the 
               fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
    
          (b)  Exhibits:

EXHIBIT NO.     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
   
     1  (a)     Articles of Incorporation dated October 10, 1980 (1)
        (b)     Articles of Amendment dated January 14, 1981 (1)
        (c)     Articles Supplementary dated July 28, 1981 (1)
        (d)     Articles Supplementary dated November 3, 1982 (1)
        (e)     Articles of Amendment dated May 18, 1983 (1)
        (f)     Articles Supplementary dated August 8, 1983 (1)
        (g)     Articles Supplementary dated July 27, 1984 (1)
        (h)     Articles Supplementary dated November 5, 1985 (1)
        (i)     Articles Supplementary dated January 23, 1987 (1)
        (j)     Articles Supplementary dated May 13, 1987 (1)
        (k)     Articles Supplementary dated January 25, 1989 (1)
        (l)     Articles Supplementary dated May 2, 1991 (1)
        (m)     Articles Supplementary dated November 14, 1991 (1)
        (n)     Articles Supplementary dated April 14, 1992 (1)
        (o)     Articles Supplementary dated November 4, 1992 (1)
        (p)     Articles Supplementary dated March 23, 1993 (1)
        (q)     Articles Supplementary dated May 5, 1993 (1)
        (r)     Articles Supplementary dated November 8, 1993 (1)
        (s)     Articles Supplementary dated January 18, 1994 (1)
        (t)     Articles Supplementary dated November 9, 1994 (1)
        (u)     Articles Supplementary dated November 8, 1995 (2)
        (v)     Articles Supplementary dated February 6, 1996 (3)
        (w)     Articles Supplementary dated March 12, 1996 (4)
        (x)     Articles Supplementary dated November 13, 1996 (7)
        (y)     Articles Supplementary dated May 9, 1997 (8)
        (z)     Articles of Amendment dated July 9, 1997 (9)
       (aa)     Articles Supplementary dated November 12, 1997 (10)
    
     2          Bylaws, as amended March 12, 1996 (4)

     3          Voting trust agreement - Not Applicable

     4          Specimen certificates for shares of
        (a)     Growth Fund (1)
        (b)     Income Fund (1)
        (c)     Money Market Fund (1)
        (d)     Aggressive Growth Fund (1)
        (e)     Income Stock Fund (1)
        (f)     Growth & Income Fund (1)
        (g)     Short-Term Bond Fund (1)

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT NO.     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS

        (h)     S&P 500 Index Fund (4)
        (i)     Science & Technology Fund (9)
        (j)     First Start Growth Fund (9)

     5  (a)     Advisory Agreement dated September 21, 1990 (1)
        (b)     Letter Agreement dated June 1, 1993 adding Growth & Income
                 Fund and Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (c)     Management Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with respect to the 
                 S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (d)     Administration Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with respect to 
                 the S&P 500 Index Fund (5) 
        (e)     Letter Agreement to the Management Agreement dated May 1, 
                 1996 with respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (f)     Amendment to Administration Agreement dated May 1, 1997 with
                 respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund (7)
        (g)     Letter Agreement to the Advisory Agreement dated 
                 August 1, 1997 adding the Science & Technology Fund
                 and First Start Growth Fund (9)

     6  (a)     Underwriting Agreement dated July 25, 1990 (1)
        (b)     Letter Agreement dated June 1, 1993 adding Growth & Income
                 Fund and Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (c)     Letter Agreement dated May 1, 1996 adding S&P 500 Index 
                 Fund (5)
        (d)     Letter Agreement dated August 1, 1997 adding Science & 
                 Technology Fund and First Start Growth Fund (9)

     7          Not Applicable

     8  (a)     Custodian Agreement dated November 3, 1982 (1)
        (b)     Letter Agreement dated April 20, 1987 adding Income Stock 
                 Fund (1)
        (c)     Amendment No. 1 to the Custodian Contract dated October 30, 
                 1987 (1)
        (d)     Amendment to the Custodian Contract dated November 3, 1988 (1)
        (e)     Amendment to the Custodian Contract dated February 6, 1989 (1)
        (f)     Amendment to the Custodian Contract dated November 8, 1993 (1)
        (g)     Letter Agreement dated June 1, 1993 adding Growth & Income
                 Fund and Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (h)     Subcustodian Agreement dated March 24, 1994 (3)
        (i)     Custodian Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with respect to the
                 S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (j)     Subcustodian Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with respect to
                 the S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (k)     Letter Agreement to the Custodian Agreement dated May 1, 1996
                 with respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (l)     Amendment to Custodian Contract dated May 13, 1996 (5)
        (m)     Letter Agreement to the Custodian Agreement dated August 1, 
                 1997 with respect to the Science & Technology Fund and
                 First Start Growth Fund (9)
   
     9  (a)     Articles of Merger dated January 30, 1981 (1)
        (b)     Transfer Agency Agreement dated January 23, 1992 (1)
        (c)     Letter Agreement dated June 1, 1993 to Transfer Agency 
                 Agreement adding Growth & Income Fund and Short-Term Bond 
                 Fund (1)
        (d)     Amendments dated May 3, 1995 to the Transfer Agency Agreement
                 Fee Schedules for Growth Fund, Aggressive Growth Fund, Income
                 Fund, Growth & Income Fund, Income Stock Fund, Money Market
                 Fund, and Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (e)     Amendment No. 1 to Transfer Agency Agreement dated November 14,
                 1995 (2)

                                      C-2
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT NO.     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS

        (f)     Third Party Feeder Fund Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with 
                 respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (g)     Letter Agreement to Transfer Agency Agreement dated May 1, 1996
                 adding S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (h)     Transfer Agency Agreement Fee Schedule dated May 1, 1996
                 for S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (i)     Master Revolving Credit Facility Agreement with USAA Capital
                 Corporation dated January 13, 1998 (10)
        (j)     Master Revolving Credit Facility Agreement with NationsBank
                 of Texas dated January 14, 1998 (10)
        (k)     Letter Agreement to Transfer Agency Agreement dated August 1, 
                 1997 adding Science & Technology Fund and First Start Growth
                 Fund (9)
        (l)     Transfer Agency Agreement Fee Schedule for Science & Technology
                 Fund (9)
        (m)     Transfer Agency Agreement Fee Schedule for First Start Growth
                 Fund (9)

    10  (a)     Opinion of Counsel with respect to the Growth Fund, Income
                 Fund, Money Market Fund, Income Stock Fund, Growth & 
                 Income Fund, and Short-Term Bond Fund (2)
        (b)     Opinion and Consent of Counsel with respect to the S&P 500 
                 Index Fund (filed herewith)
        (c)     Opinion of Counsel with respect to the Aggressive Growth
                 Fund.(6)
        (d)     Consent of Counsel with respect to the Aggressive Growth Fund,
                 Growth Fund, Income Fund, Money Market Fund, Income Stock 
                 Fund, Growth & Income Fund, and Short-Term Bond Fund (9)
        (e)     Opinion of Counsel with respect to the Science & Technology
                 Technology Fund and First Start Growth Fund (8)
        (f)     Consent of Counsel with respect to the Science & Technology
                 Fund and First Start Growth Fund (10)

    11          Independent Accountants' Consent (filed herewith)
    
    12          Financial Statements omitted from prospectus - Not Applicable

    13  (a)     Subscription and Investment Letter for Growth & Income Fund
                 and Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (b)     Subscription and Investment Letter for S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (c)     Subscription and Investment Letter for Science & Technology 
                 Fund and First Start Growth Fund (9)

    14          Prototype Plans
        (a)     USAA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY IRA Custodial Agreement (9)
        (b)     USAA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY SEP-IRA Custodial 
                 Agreement (9)
        (c)     USAA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY 403(b)(7) Custodial 
                 Agreement (9)
        (d)     USAA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY Simple IRA Custodial 
                 Agreement (9)

     15         12b-1 Plans - Not Applicable

     16         Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotation (1)
   
     17         Financial Data Schedule
        (a)     S&P 500 Index Fund (filed herewith)
    
     18         Plan Adopting Multiple Classes of Shares - Not Applicable

                                      C-3
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT NO.     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS

     19         Powers of Attorney
        (a)     Powers of Attorney for Michael J.C. Roth, Sherron A. Kirk, John
                 W. Saunders, Jr., George E. Brown, Howard L. Freeman, Jr., and
                 Richard A. Zucker dated November 8, 1993 (1)
        (b)     Power of Attorney for Barbara B. Dreeben dated September 12,
                 1995 (1)
        (c)     With respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund, Powers of Attorney for
                 Ronald M. Petnuch, Philip W. Coolidge, Charles P. Biggar, 
                 S. Leland Dill, and Philip Saunders, Jr., Trustees of the 
                 Equity 500 Index Portfolio, dated September 30, 1996 (7)
        (d)     Power of Attorney for Robert G. Davis dated March 24, 1997 (7)
        (e)     Power of Attorney for Robert L. Mason dated March 24, 1997 (7)

- ----------------------------------
(1)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        September 29, 1995.

(2)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        November 21, 1995.

(3)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        February 15, 1996.

(4)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        April 26, 1996.

(5)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        September 11, 1996.

(6)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        October 1, 1996.

(7)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        April 21, 1997.

(8)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        May 16, 1997.

(9)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        September 30, 1997.
   
(10)    Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        February 26, 1998.
    
                                      C-4
<PAGE>

Item 25.       PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT
   
               Information pertaining to persons controlled by or under common
               control with Registrant is hereby incorporated by reference to
               the section captioned "Fund and Portfolio Management" in the
               Prospectus and the section captioned "Directors and Officers of
               the Company" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
Item 26.       NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

               Set forth below are the number of record holders, as of January
               31, 1998, of each class of securities of the Registrant.

                     TITLE OF CLASS                   NUMBER OF RECORD HOLDERS

               Aggressive Growth Fund                           72,383
               Growth Fund                                      94,489
               Income Stock Fund                               106,395
               Income Fund                                      60,722
               Money Market Fund                               137,887
               Growth & Income Fund                             69,761
               Short-Term Bond Fund                              9,187
               S&P 500 Index Fund                               34,318
               Science & Technology Fund                         9,638
               First Start Growth Fund                           3,166

Item 27.       INDEMNIFICATION

               Protection for the liability of the adviser and underwriter and 
               for the officers and directors of the Registrant is provided by
               two methods:

          (a)  THE DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY POLICY.  This policy covers 
               all losses incurred by the Registrant, its adviser and its 
               underwriter from any claim made against those entities or 
               persons during the policy period by any shareholder or former
               shareholder of the Fund by reason of any alleged negligent act,
               error or omission committed in connection with the 
               administration of the investments of said Registrant or in 
               connection with the sale or redemption of shares issued by said 
               Registrant.

          (b)  STATUTORY INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS.  Under Section 2-418 of 
               the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Registrant is 
               authorized to indemnify any past or present director, officer,
               agent or employee against judgments, penalties, fines, 
               settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by him in
               connection with any proceeding in which he is a party by reason
               of having served as a director, officer, agent or employee, if 
               he acted in good faith and reasonably believed that, (i) in the 
               case of conduct in his official capacity with the Registrant, 
               that his conduct was in the best interests of the Registrant, or
               (ii) in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not 
               opposed to the best interests of the Registrant.  In the case of
               any criminal proceeding, said director, officer, agent or 
               employee must in addition have had no reasonable cause to 
               believe that his conduct was unlawful.  In the case of a 
               proceeding by or in the right of the Registrant, indemnification
               may only be made against reasonable expenses and may not be made
               in respect of any proceeding in which the director, officer, 
               agent or employee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the 
               Registrant.  The termination of any proceeding by judgment, 
               order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere
               or its equivalent creates a rebuttable presumption that the 
               director, officer, agent or employee did not meet the 

                                      C-5
<PAGE>

               requisite standard of conduct for indemnification.  No 
               indemnification may be made in respect of any proceeding 
               charging improper personal benefit to the director, officer, 
               agent or employee whether or not involving action in such 
               person's official capacity, if such person was adjudged to be
               liable on the basis that improper personal benefit was received.
               If such director, officer, agent or employee is successful, on 
               the merits or otherwise, in defense of  any such proceeding 
               against him, he shall be indemnified against the reasonable 
               expenses incurred by him (unless such indemnification is limited
               by the Registrant's charter, which it is not).  Additionally, a 
               court of appropriate jurisdiction may order indemnification in 
               certain circumstances even if the appropriate standard of conduct
               set forth above was not met.

               Indemnification may not be made unless authorized in the 
               specific case after determination that the applicable standard 
               of conduct has been met.  Such determination shall be made by 
               either:  (i) the board of directors by either (x) a majority 
               vote of a quorum consisting of directors not parties to the 
               proceeding or (y) if such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by
               a majority vote of a committee of the board consisting solely of
               two or more directors not at the time parties to such proceeding
               who were duly designated to act in the matter by a majority vote
               of the full board in which the designated directors who are 
               parties may participate; (ii) special legal counsel selected by
               the board of directors or a committee of the board by vote as 
               set forth in (i) above, or, if the requisite quorum of the board
               cannot be obtained therefore and the committee cannot be 
               established, by a majority vote of the full board in which 
               directors who are parties may participate; or (iii) the 
               stockholders.

               Reasonable expenses may be reimbursed or paid by the Registrant
               in advance of final disposition of a proceeding after a 
               determination, made in accordance with the procedures set forth 
               in the preceding paragraph, that the facts then known to those 
               making the determination would not preclude indemnification 
               under the applicable standards provided the Registrant receives 
               (i) a written affirmation of the good faith belief of the person
               seeking indemnification that the applicable standard of conduct
               necessary for indemnification has been met, and (ii) a written
               undertaking to repay the advanced sums if it is ultimately 
               determined that the applicable standard of conduct has not been 
               met.

               Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 
               Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers 
               and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the 
               Registrant's Articles of Incorporation or otherwise, the 
               Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the 
               Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is 
               against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, 
               therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for 
               indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
               by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, 
               officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the 
               successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is 
               asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in 
               connection with the securities being registered, then the 
               Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
               has been settled by a controlling precedent, submit to a court 
               of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether 
               indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in 
               the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such 
               issue.

                                      C-6
<PAGE>

Item 28.       BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
   
               Information pertaining to business and other connections of the
               Registrant's investment adviser is hereby incorporated by 
               reference to the section of the Prospectus captioned "Fund and 
               Portfolio Management" and to the section of the Statement of 
               Additional Information captioned "Directors and Officers of the
               Company."
    
Item 29.       PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS


        (a)    USAA Investment Management Company (the "Adviser") acts as 
               principal underwriter and distributor of the Registrant's shares
               on a best-efforts basis and receives no fee or commission for 
               its underwriting services.  The Adviser, wholly-owned by United
               Services Automobile Association, also serves as principal 
               underwriter for USAA Tax Exempt Fund, Inc., USAA Investment 
               Trust, and USAA State Tax-Free Trust.

        (b)    Set forth below is information concerning each director and 
               executive officer of USAA Investment Management Company.

NAME AND PRINCIPAL          POSITION AND OFFICES         POSITION AND OFFICES
 BUSINESS ADDRESS            WITH UNDERWRITER             WITH REGISTRANT   
- -----------------------     -------------------------    ----------------------
Robert G. Davis             Director and Chairman        Director and
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.     of the Board of              Chairman of the
San Antonio, TX  78288      Directors                    Board of Directors

Michael J.C. Roth           Chief Executive Officer,     President, Director
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.     President, Director, and     and Vice Chairman of
San Antonio, TX  78288      Vice Chairman of the         the Board of Directors

John W. Saunders, Jr.       Senior Vice President,       Vice President and
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.     Fixed Income Investments,    Director
San Antonio, TX  78288      and Director

Harry W. Miller             Senior Vice President,       None
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.     Equity Investments,
San Antonio, TX  78288      and Director

John J. Dallahan            Senior Vice President,       None
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.     Investment Services
San Antonio, TX  78288      Portfolios

Carl W. Shirley             Senior Vice President,       None
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.     Insurance Company 
San Antonio, TX  78288

Michael D. Wagner           Vice President,              Secretary
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.     Secretary and Counsel
San Antonio, TX  78288  

Sherron A. Kirk             Vice President and           Treasurer
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.     Controller
San Antonio, TX  78288

Alex M. Ciccone             Vice President,              Assistant
9800 Fredericksburg Rd.     Compliance                   Secretary
San Antonio, TX 78288

(c)     Not Applicable

                                      C-7
<PAGE>

Item 30.       LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

               The following entities prepare, maintain and preserve the 
               records required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act
               of 1940 (the "1940 Act") for the Registrant.  These services are
               provided to the Registrant through written agreements between
               the parties to the effect that such services will be provided to
               the Registrant for such periods prescribed by the Rules and 
               Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 
               1940 Act and such records are the property of the entity 
               required to maintain and preserve such records and will be 
               surrendered promptly on request:

                        USAA Investment Management Company
                        9800 Fredericksburg Road
                        San Antonio, Texas 78288
 
                        USAA Shareholder Account Services
                        10750 Robert F. McDermott Freeway
                        San Antonio, Texas 78288

                        State Street Bank and Trust Company
                        1776 Heritage Drive
                        North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171

Item 31.       MANAGEMENT SERVICES

               Not Applicable

Item 32.       UNDERTAKINGS
  
               The Registrant hereby undertakes, if requested to do so by the 
               holders of at least 10% of the Registrant's outstanding shares,
               to call a meeting of the shareholders for the purpose of voting
               upon the question of removal of a Director or Directors and to
               assist in communications with other shareholders as required by
               section 16(c) of the Investment Company act of 1940.

               The Registrant hereby undertakes to provide each person to whom 
               a prospectus is delivered a copy of the Registrant's latest 
               annual report(s) to shareholders upon request and without 
               charge.

                                      C-8
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

   
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it has duly caused this 
amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Antonio and State 
of Texas on the 12th day of February, 1998.
    
                                                USAA MUTUAL FUND, INC.


                                                /s/ Michael J.C. Roth
                                                -------------------------------
                                                Michael J.C. Roth
                                                President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to
its Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in 
the capacities and on the date indicated.

(Signature)                     (Title)                         (Date)


                                Chairman of the               February 19, 1998
/s/ Robert G. Davis             Board of Directors
- -----------------------------
Robert G. Davis

                                Vice Chairman of the          February 12, 1998
/s/ Michael J.C. Roth           Board of Directors and 
- -----------------------------   President (Principal 
Michael J.C. Roth               Executive Officer)

                                Treasurer (Principal          February 12, 1998
/s/ Sherron A. Kirk             Financial and
- -----------------------------   Accounting Officer)
Sherron A. Kirk

/s/ John W. Saunders, Jr.       Director                      February 12, 1998
- ----------------------------
John W. Saunders, Jr.           

/s/ Robert L. Mason             Director                      February 13, 1998
- -----------------------------
Robert L. Mason

/s/ Howard L. Freeman, Jr.      Director                      February 13, 1998
- ----------------------------- 
Howard L. Freeman, Jr.

/s/ Richard A. Zucker           Director                      February 13, 1998
- -----------------------------      
Richard A. Zucker

/s/ Barbara B. Dreeben          Director                      February 13, 1998
- -----------------------------     
Barbara B. Dreeben

                                      C-9
<PAGE>
   
                                  SIGNATURES


Equity 500 Index Portfolio has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 48
to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of USAA Mutual Fund, Inc. to be 
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Pittsburgh and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the 26th day of  
February, 1998.

EQUITY 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO

By:    /s/ RONALD M. PETNUCH*
       -----------------------------                          
       Ronald M. Petnuch
       President

This Post Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement of Form N-1A
of USAA Mutual Fund, Inc. has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated with respect to Equity 500 Index Portfolio on 
February 26, 1998.

SIGNATURE                                         TITLE

/s/ CHARLES P. BIGGAR*                            Trustee
- ----------------------------
Charles P. Biggar                              


/s/ PHILIP SAUNDERS, JR.*                         Trustee
- ----------------------------
Philip Saunders, Jr.


/s/ S. LELAND DILL*                               Trustee
- ----------------------------                                   
S. Leland Dill


/s/ Ronald M. Petnuch                             President and Treasurer 
- ----------------------------                      (Chief Executive Officer,
                                                  Principal Financial and
                                                  Accounting Officer)

        /s/ JAY S. NEWMAN
*By:    --------------------------      
        Jay. S. Neuman, Secretary of Equity 500 Index Portfolio, 
            as Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed.
    
                                     C-10
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT         ITEM                                                PAGE NO. *
   
  1     (a)     Articles of Incorporation dated October 10, 1980 (1)
        (b)     Articles of Amendment dated January 14, 1981 (1)
        (c)     Articles Supplementary dated July 28, 1981 (1)
        (d)     Articles Supplementary dated November 3, 1982 (1)
        (e)     Articles of Amendment dated May 18, 1983 (1)
        (f)     Articles Supplementary dated August 8, 1983 (1)
        (g)     Articles Supplementary dated July 27, 1984 (1)
        (h)     Articles Supplementary dated November 5, 1985 (1)
        (i)     Articles Supplementary dated January 23, 1987 (1)
        (j)     Articles Supplementary dated May 13, 1987 (1)
        (k)     Articles Supplementary dated January 25, 1989 (1)
        (l)     Articles Supplementary dated May 2, 1991 (1)
        (m)     Articles Supplementary dated November 14, 1991 (1)
        (n)     Articles Supplementary dated April 14, 1992 (1)
        (o)     Articles Supplementary dated November 4, 1992 (1)
        (p)     Articles Supplementary dated March 23, 1993 (1)
        (q)     Articles Supplementary dated May 5, 1993 (1)
        (r)     Articles Supplementary dated November 8, 1993 (1)
        (s)     Articles Supplementary dated January 18, 1994 (1)
        (t)     Articles Supplementary dated November 9, 1994 (1)
        (u)     Articles Supplementary dated November 8, 1995 (2)
        (v)     Articles Supplementary dated February 6, 1996 (3)
        (w)     Articles Supplementary dated March 12, 1996 (4)
        (x)     Articles Supplementary dated November 13, 1996 (7)
        (y)     Articles Supplementary dated May 9, 1997 (8)
        (z)     Articles of Amendment dated July 9, 1997 (9)
       (aa)     Articles Supplementary dated November 12, 1997 (10)
    
  2             Bylaws, as amended March 12, 1996 (4)

  3             Voting trust agreement - Not Applicable

  4             Specimen certificates for shares of
        (a)     Growth Fund (1)
        (b)     Income Fund (1)
        (c)     Money Market Fund (1)
        (d)     Aggressive Growth Fund (1)
        (e)     Income Stock Fund (1)
        (f)     Growth & Income Fund (1)
        (g)     Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (h)     S&P 500 Index Fund (4)
        (i)     Science & Technology Fund (9)
        (j)     First Start Growth Fund (9)

  5     (a)    Advisory Agreement dated September 21, 1990 (1)
        (b)    Letter Agreement dated June 1, 1993 adding Growth & Income 
                Fund and Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (c)    Management Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with respect to the
                S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (d)    Administration Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with respect to 
                the S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (e)    Letter Agreement to the Management Agreement dated May 1, 
                1996 with respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (f)    Amendment to Administration Agreement dated May 1, 1997 with
                respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund (7)
        (g)    Letter Agreement to the Advisory Agreement dated August 1,
                1997 adding Science & Technology Fund and First Start
                Growth Fund (9) 

                                     C-11
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT         ITEM                                                 PAGE NO. *

   6    (a)     Underwriting Agreement dated July 25, 1990 (1)
        (b)     Letter Agreement dated June 1, 1993 adding Growth & Income
                 Fund and Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (c)     Letter Agreement dated May 1, 1996 adding S&P 500 Index 
                 Fund (5)
        (d)     Letter Agreement dated August 1, 1997 adding Science & 
                 Technology Fund and First Start Growth Fund (9)

  7             Not Applicable

  8     (a)     Custodian Agreement dated November 3, 1982 (1)
        (b)     Letter Agreement dated April 20, 1987 adding Income Stock
                 Fund (1)
        (c)     Amendment No. 1 to the Custodian Contract dated October 30,
                 1987 (1)
        (d)     Amendment to the Custodian Contract dated November 3, 1988 (1)
        (e)     Amendment to the Custodian Contract dated February 6, 1989 (1)
        (f)     Amendment to the Custodian Contract dated November 8, 1993 (1)
        (g)     Letter Agreement dated June 1, 1993 adding Growth & Income 
                 Fund and Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (h)     Subcustodian Agreement dated March 24, 1994 (3)
        (i)     Custodian Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with respect to the 
                 S&P 500 Index Fund (5) 
        (j)     Subcustodian Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with respect to 
                 the S&P 500 Index Fund (5) 
        (k)     Letter Agreement to the Custodian Agreement dated May 1, 1996
                 with respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (l)     Amendment to Custodian Contract dated May 13, 1996 (5)
        (m)     Letter Agreement to the Custodian Agreement dated August 1, 
                 1997 with respect to the Science & Technology Fund and
                 First Start Growth Fund (9)
   
  9     (a)     Articles of Merger dated January 30, 1981 (1)
        (b)     Transfer Agency Agreement dated January 23, 1992 (1)
        (c)     Letter Agreement dated June 1, 1993 to Transfer Agency 
                 Agreement adding Growth & Income Fund and Short-Term 
                 Bond Fund (1)
        (d)     Amendments dated May 3, 1995 to the Transfer Agency 
                 Agreement Fee Schedules for Growth Fund, Aggressive 
                 Growth Fund, Income Fund, Growth & Income Fund, Income 
                 Stock Fund, Money Market Fund, and  Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (e)     Amendment No. 1 to Transfer Agency Agreement dated 
                 November 14, 1995(2)
        (f)     Third Party Feeder Fund Agreement dated May 1, 1996 with 
                 respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (g)     Letter Agreement to Transfer Agency Agreement dated May 1,
                 1996 adding S&P 500 Index Fund (5) 
        (h)     Transfer Agency Agreement Fee Schedule dated May 1, 1996 
                 for S&P 500 Index Fund (5) 
        (i)     Master Revolving Credit Facility Agreement with USAA Capital
                 Corporation dated January 13, 1998 (10)
        (j)     Master Revolving Credit Facility Agreement with NationsBank
                 of Texas dated January 14, 1998 (10)
        (k)     Letter Agreement to Transfer Agency Agreement dated August 1, 
                 1997 adding Science & Technology Fund and First Start 
                 Growth Fund (9)
        (l)     Transfer Agency Agreement Fee Schedule for Science &
                 Technology Fund (9)
        (m)     Transfer Agency Agreement Fee Schedule for First Start
                 Growth Fund (9)

                                     C-12
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT         ITEM                                                 PAGE NO.*

10      (a)     Opinion of Counsel with respect to the Growth Fund, Income
                 Fund, Money Market Fund, Income Stock Fund, Growth & 
                 Income Fund, and Short-Term Bond Fund (2)
        (b)     Opinion and Consent of Counsel with respect to the S&P 
                 500 Index Fund (filed herewith)                            72
        (c)     Opinion of Counsel with respect to the Aggressive Growth 
                 Fund (6)
        (d)     Consent of Counsel with respect to the Aggressive Growth 
                 Fund, Growth Fund, Income Fund, Money Market Fund, Income 
                 Stock Fund, Growth & Income Fund, and Short-Term Bond Fund (9)
        (e)     Opinion of Counsel with respect to the Science & Technology
                 Fund and First Start Growth Fund (8)
        (f)     Consent of Counsel with respect to the Science & Technology
                 Fund and First Start Growth Fund (10)

 11             Independent Accountants' Consent (filed herewith)           74
    
 12             Financial Statements omitted from prospectus - Not Applicable

 13     (a)     Subscription and Investment Letter for Growth & Income Fund
                 and Short-Term Bond Fund (1)
        (b)     Subscription and Investment Letter for S&P 500 Index Fund (5)
        (c)     Subscription and Investment Letter for Science & Technology
                 Fund and First Start Growth Fund (9)

 14             Prototype Plans
        (a)     USAA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY IRA Custodial Agreement(9)
        (b)     USAA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY SEP-IRA Custodial
                 Agreement(9)
        (c)     USAA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY 403(b)(7) Custodial
                 Agreement(9)
        (d)     USAA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY Simple IRA Custodial
                 Agreement (9)

 15             12b-1 Plans - Not Applicable

 16             Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotation (1)
   
 17             Financial Data Schedule
        (a)     S&P 500 Index Fund (filed herewith)                         76
    
 18             Plan Adopting Multiple Classes of Shares - Not Applicable

 19             Powers of Attorney
        (a)     Powers of Attorney for Michael J.C. Roth, Sherron A. Kirk, 
                 John W. Saunders, Jr., George E. Brown,  Howard L. Freeman, 
                 Jr., and Richard A. Zucker dated November 8, 1993 (1)
        (b)     Power of Attorney for Barbara B. Dreeben dated September 12,
                 1995 (1)
        (c)     With respect to the S&P 500 Index Fund, Powers of Attorney 
                 for Ronald M. Petnuch, Philip W. Coolidge, Charles P. Biggar,
                 Leland Dill, and Philip Saunders, Jr., Trustees of the
                 Equity 500 Index Portfolio, dated September 30, 1996 (7)
        (d)     Power of Attorney for Robert G. Davis dated March 24, 1997 (7)
        (e)     Power of Attorney for Robert L. Mason dated March 24, 1997 (7)
   
- ---------------------
(1)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        September 29, 1995.

                                     C-13
<PAGE>

(2)    Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        November 21, 1995.

(3)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        February 15, 1996.

(4)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        April 26, 1996.

(5)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        September 11, 1996.

(6)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        October 1, 1996.

(7)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        April 21, 1997.

(8)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        May 16, 1997. 

(9)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        September 30, 1997.
   
(10)    Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 of the Registrant
        (No. 2-49560) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
        February 26, 1998.
                                  
   * Refers to sequentially numbered pages

                                     C-14
<PAGE>
         

                          GOODWIN, PROCTER & HOAR LLP
                              COUNSELLORS AT LAW
                                EXCHANGE PLACE
                       BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109-2881
                                                      TELEPHONE (617) 570-1000
                                                      TELECOPIER (617) 523-1231
                               February 25, 1998

USAA Mutual Fund, Inc.
USAA Building
9800 Fredericksburg Road
San Antonio, TX 78288

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        As  counsel to USAA  Mutual  Fund,  Inc.  (the  "Company"),  a Maryland
corporation,  we have been  asked to render  our  opinion  with  respect to the
issuance of shares of capital stock,  $.01 par value per share, of the USAA S&P
500 Index Fund (the  "Shares"),  a class of capital  stock of the Company which
has been established and designated in the Company's  Articles of Incorporation
and  Articles  Supplementary  to the  Articles  of  Incorporation,  as  amended
(collectively,  the "Articles"),  all as more fully described in the Prospectus
and  the  Statement  of  Additional  Information  contained  in  Post-Effective
Amendment No. 48 (the "Amendment") to the Registration  Statement (No. 2-49560)
on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

        We have examined the Articles,  the By-Laws of the Company, as amended,
the  minutes of certain  meetings  of and  resolutions  adopted by the Board of
Directors  of  the  Company,   the   Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional
Information  contained in the Amendment and such other  documents,  records and
certificates as we deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion.

        Based upon the  foregoing,  and assuming that not more than  75,000,000
Shares of the USAA S&P 500 Index  Fund will be issued  and  outstanding  at any
time, we are of the opinion that the Shares will,  when sold in accordance with
the terms of the Prospectus  and Statement of Additional  Information in effect
at the time of the sale, be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

        We also hereby consent to the reference to the firm in the Statement of
Additional  Information under the heading "General  Information-Counsel"  which
forms a part of the  Amendment  and the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Amendment.

                                                Very truly yours,


                                                /s/ Goodwin, Procter & Hoar LLP
                                                -------------------------------
                                                GOODWIN, PROCTER & HOAR LLP
GPH/scs
DOCS\604015.1


                     Consent of Independent Accountants


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Post-Effective Amendment No. 48
to the Registration  Statement of the USAA S&P 500 Index Fund (one of the Funds
comprising  USAA Mutual Fund,  Inc.) on Form N-1A  of our report dated February
13, 1998 on our audit of the financial  statements and financial  highlights of
the USAA S&P 500 Index Fund and the Equity 500 Index  Portfolio,  which reports
are included in the Annual Report to  Shareholders  for the year ended December
31, 1997 which are incorporated by reference in the Post-Effective Amendment to
the Registration  Statement.  We also consent to the reference in the Statement
of  Additional   Information   to  our  Firm  under  the  caption   Independent
Accountants.


                                                /s/ Coopers & Lybrand LLP
                                               

Kansas City, Missouri
February 26, 1998


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000102401
<NAME> USAA MUTUAL FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 9
   <NAME> USAA S&P 500 INDEX FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         628,394
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,976
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 631,370
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          751
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                751
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       515,202
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           41,590
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           15,479
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                           60
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         17,944
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        97,413
<NET-ASSETS>                                   630,619
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   7,309
<EXPENSES-NET>                                   (418)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          6,891
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        16,530
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       82,264
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          105,684
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      (6,870)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         31,713
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (5,986)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                385
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                         451,546
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                             39
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                        1,414
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    418
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.57
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.21
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           3.59
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.21)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              15.16
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.18
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


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