Rule 497(a)
File No. 333-36935
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 17, 1997
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THE COUNTRYFUND OPPORTUNITY TRUST,
1997 SERIES
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The final prospectus for The CountryFund Opportunity Trust, 1996 Series
is hereby incorporated by reference and used as a preliminary prospectus for The
CountryFund Opportunity Trust, 1997 Series. Except as indicated below, the
narrative information and structure of the final prospectus which includes the
new Trust will be substantially the same as that of the previous prospectus.
Information with respect to this Trust, including pricing, the size and
composition of the Trust portfolio, the number of units of the Trust, dates and
summary information regarding the characteristics of securities to be deposited
in the Trust is not now available and will be different from that shown since
each trust has a unique portfolio. Accordingly, the information contained herein
with regard to the previous Trust should be considered as being included for
informational purposes only. Investors should contact financial professionals of
the underwriters who will be informed of the expected effective date of this
Trust and who will be supplied with complete information with respect to such
Trust on the day of and immediately prior to the effectiveness of the
registration statement relating to units of the Trust.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION THESE SECURITIES MAY NO BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
