VANGUARD/WELLESLEY INCOME FUND INC
497, 1996-03-08
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                                  Fund Profile
                                      for




                                     [LOGO]
                              VANGUARD WELLESLEY FUND 
                 
    
                                March 11, 1996




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1    OBJECTIVE

Vanguard/Wellesley Income Fund seeks to provide current income -- and some
growth of capital -- by investing in a mix of bonds and common stocks. The Fund
may not meet these objectives.

2    INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund's adviser uses a "balanced" investment approach. Approximately 60% to
65% of the Fund's total assets are invested in intermediate- and long-term
investment-grade* U.S. Government and corporate bonds. The remaining 30% to 35%
of assets are invested in dividend-paying common stocks.

3    RISKS

Because of its balanced approach, Wellesley Income Fund is subject to more
investment risk than a fund made up entirely of bonds but less risk than an
all-stock fund.

Investors in the Fund are exposed to . . .

o        A HIGH degree of interest rate risk (the possibility that bond prices
         will fall as interest rates rise -- and vice versa) because of the
         Fund's significant investment in bonds. For instance, a 2% increase in
         interest rates would cause a 20-year bond to drop approximately 20% in
         value, while a 2% decrease in rates would cause the same bond to rise
         about 22% in value.

o        A HIGH degree of stock market risk (the possibility that stock prices
         in general will decline over short or extended periods) because of the
         Fund's common stock holdings.

o        A LOW degree of credit risk (the possibility that a bond's issuer will
         fail to repay interest and principal) because of the high quality of
         the Fund's bond holdings.


* Rated at least Baa by Moody's Investors Services, Inc.
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4    APPROPRIATENESS

This Fund may be suitable for investors who . . .

o        Are seeking current income and some capital growth.

o        Want a balanced and diversified investment program that includes both
         bonds and stocks.

o        Plan to invest for at least five years.

o        Want a fund that offers less investment risk and share-price
         fluctuation than a fund made up entirely of stocks.

The Fund is not suitable for investors who . . .

o        Cannot tolerate fluctuating share prices.

5    FEES AND EXPENSES

Vanguard/Wellesley Income Fund -- like all Vanguard Funds -- is offered on a
pure no-load basis (that is, the Fund has no 12b-1 fees or charges to buy or
sell shares).

The Fund's operating expenses are deducted from its total assets before daily
share prices and income distributions are calculated. The Fund's expense ratio
for fiscal year 1995 was 0.35% of assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Annual Fund Operating Expenses
    ------------------------------
    <S>                                       <C>
    Investment Advisory Fees  . . . . . . .   0.07%
    Distribution Costs  . . . . . . . . . .   0.02
    Other Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . .   0.26
                                              ----
    Total Operating Expenses  . . . . . . .   0.35%
                                              ----
</TABLE>
The following example illustrates the expenses that you would incur on a $1,000
investment over various periods, assuming (1) a 5% annual rate of return and
(2) redemption at the end of each period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   1 Year       3 Years       5 Years      10 Years
   ------------------------------------------------
     <S>          <C>           <C>           <C>
     $4           $11           $20           $44
</TABLE>

This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or performance. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those
shown.
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6        PAST PERFORMANCE

                                    [GRAPH]

                             Performance Summary
                      (Periods ended December 31, 1995)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>           
                       Average Annual Total Return
                     Wellesley          Composite
                    Income Fund     Stock/Bond Index*
   <S>                <C>                <C>
   1 Year             +28.91%            +31 .30%
   5 Years            +13.29%            +14 .04%
   10 Years           +11.93%            +12 .70%
</TABLE>



Note: In evaluating past performance, it is important to consider that returns
from stocks and bonds were close to their highest levels in history during the
past ten years. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Performance figures include the reinvestment of all dividends and any capital
gains distributions. All returns are net of expenses.  The performance data
quoted represent past performance. The investment return and principal value of
an investment will fluctuate so that investors' shares, when redeemed, may be
worth more or less than their original cost.


*For comparative purposes, 65% of the Composite Stock/Bond Index is made up of
the Lehman Brothers Long-Term Corporate Bond Index (a barometer of corporate
bonds rated at least Baa), and 35% is made up of the Standard & Poor's 500
Composite Stock Price Index (a diversified group of 500 securities used to
measure U.S. stock market performance). An index is unmanaged; you cannot
invest in an index.
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7    INVESTMENT ADVISER

The Fund is managed by Wellington Management Company, which manages more than
$108 billion in total assets.

8    PURCHASES

You may purchase shares by mail, wire, or exchange from another Vanguard Fund.
The minimum initial investment is $3,000 ($1,000 for IRAs and custodial
accounts).

9    REDEMPTIONS

You may redeem shares by sending a letter to or calling Vanguard. The Fund's
share price is expected to fluctuate and, at redemption, may be higher or lower
than at the time of initial purchase, resulting in a gain or loss.

10   DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund expects to pay dividends quarterly. Capital gains distributions, if
any, are paid annually. Dividend and capital gains distributions can be
automatically reinvested or received in cash.

11   OTHER SERVICES

o        Vanguard Fund Express(R) -- electronic transfers between your bank
         account and the Fund.

o        Vanguard Tele-Account(R) -- around-the-clock access to Vanguard Fund
         information, account balances, and some transactions by calling
         1-800-662-6273 (ON-BOARD).

o        Investor Information -- toll-free access to Vanguard Associates by
         calling 1-800-662-7447 (SHIP).
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                         This Fund Profile contains key
                information about the Fund. More details appear
                     in the Fund's accompanying prospectus.


         (C) 1996 Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor      FP27


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