EQUITY INVESTOR FUND FOC SE BIOTECH PORT DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
487, 1999-03-25
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<PAGE>
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 25, 1999
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-48303
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                   ------------------------------------------
 
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-6
 
                   ------------------------------------------
 
                   FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
                    OF 1933 OF SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT
                        TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2
 
                   ------------------------------------------
 
A. EXACT NAME OF TRUST:
 
                              EQUITY INVESTOR FUND
                                  FOCUS SERIES
                            BIOTECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
                           (FORMERLY FOCUS SERIES 5)
                              DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
 
B. NAMES OF DEPOSITOR:
 
               MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
 
C. COMPLETE ADDRESSES OF DEPOSITOR'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
 

                          MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE,
                              FENNER & SMITH
                               INCORPORATED
                            DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
                               P.O. BOX 9051
                         PRINCETON, NJ 08543-9051

 
D. NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE:
 

  TERESA KONCICK, ESQ.
      P.O. BOX 9051
PRINCETON, NJ 08543-9051                                 COPIES TO:
                                                   PIERRE DE SAINT PHALLE,
                                                            ESQ.
                                                    450 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                                                     NEW YORK, NY 10017


 
E. TITLE OF SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED:
 
  An indefinite number of Units of Beneficial Interest pursuant to Rule 24f-2
       promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
F. APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC.
 
 As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
 
/ x / Check box if it is proposed that this Registration Statement shall become
effective upon filing on March 25, 1999, pursuant to Rule 487.
    
 
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<PAGE>
                                     DEFINED ASSET FUNDSSM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

   
                              EQUITY INVESTOR FUND
                              FOCUS SERIES
                              BIOTECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
                              (A UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST)
                              O   DESIGNED FOR CAPITAL APPRECIATION
                              O   CONVENIENT WAY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
                                  BIOTECHNOLOGY SECTOR

 

                               -------------------------------------------------
                               The Securities and Exchange Commission has not
                               approved or disapproved these Securities or
SPONSOR:                       passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any
Merrill Lynch,                 representation to the contrary is a criminal
Pierce, Fenner & Smith         offense.
Incorporated                   Prospectus dated March 25, 1999.

    
 
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Defined Asset FundsSM
DEFINED ASSET FUNDSSM IS AMERICA'S OLDEST AND LARGEST FAMILY OF UNIT INVESTMENT
TRUSTS, WITH OVER $160 BILLION SPONSORED OVER THE LAST 28 YEARS. DEFINED ASSET
FUNDS HAS BEEN A LEADER IN UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST RESEARCH AND PRODUCT
INNOVATION. OUR FAMILY OF FUNDS HELPS INVESTORS WORK TOWARD THEIR FINANCIAL
GOALS WITH A FULL RANGE OF QUALITY INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL, CORPORATE
AND GOVERNMENT BOND PORTFOLIOS, EQUITY PORTFOLIOS, AND INTERNATIONAL BOND AND
EQUITY PORTFOLIOS.
 
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS OFFER A NUMBER OF ADVANTAGES:
 
   O A DISCIPLINED STRATEGY OF BUYING AND HOLDING WITH A LONG-TERM VIEW IS THE
     CORNERSTONE OF DEFINED ASSET FUNDS.
 
   O FIXED PORTFOLIO: DEFINED FUNDS FOLLOW A BUY AND HOLD INVESTMENT STRATEGY;
     FUNDS ARE NOT MANAGED AND PORTFOLIO CHANGES ARE LIMITED.
   O DEFINED PORTFOLIOS: WE CHOOSE THE STOCKS AND BONDS IN ADVANCE, SO YOU KNOW
     WHAT YOU'RE INVESTING IN.
   O PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH: OUR DEDICATED RESEARCH TEAM SEEKS OUT STOCKS OR 
     BONDS APPROPRIATE FOR A PARTICULAR FUND'S OBJECTIVES.
   O ONGOING SUPERVISION: WE MONITOR EACH PORTFOLIO ON AN ONGOING BASIS.
NO MATTER WHAT YOUR INVESTMENT GOALS, RISK TOLERANCE OR TIME HORIZON, THERE'S
PROBABLY A DEFINED ASSET FUND THAT SUITS YOUR INVESTMENT STYLE. YOUR FINANCIAL
PROFESSIONAL CAN HELP YOU SELECT A DEFINED ASSET FUND THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOUR
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO.
 

   
CONTENTS
                                                                PAGE
                                                          -----------
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY.....................................           3
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR INVESTMENT................           6
   INCOME...............................................           6
   RECORDS AND REPORTS..................................           6
THE RISKS YOU FACE......................................           6
   CONCENTRATION RISK...................................           6
   LITIGATION AND LEGISLATION RISKS.....................           6
SELLING OR EXCHANGING UNITS.............................           6
   SPONSOR'S SECONDARY MARKET...........................           7
   SELLING UNITS TO THE TRUSTEE.........................           7
   ROLLOVER/EXCHANGE OPTION.............................           8
HOW THE FUND WORKS......................................           8
   PRICING..............................................           8
   EVALUATIONS..........................................           9
   INCOME...............................................           9
   EXPENSES.............................................           9
   PORTFOLIO CHANGES....................................          10
   PORTFOLIO TERMINATION................................          10
   NO CERTIFICATES......................................          10
   TRUST INDENTURE......................................          11
   LEGAL OPINION........................................          11
   AUDITORS.............................................          11
   SPONSOR..............................................          11
   TRUSTEE..............................................          12
   SPONSOR'S PROFITS....................................          12
   PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION..................................          12
   CODE OF ETHICS.......................................          12
   YEAR 2000 ISSUES.....................................          13
TAXES...................................................          13
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION................................          15
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS....................................          16
   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS....................          16
   STATEMENT OF CONDITION...............................          16
    

 
                                       2
<PAGE>

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RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
 

   
       1.  WHAT IS THE PORTFOLIO'S OBJECTIVE?
           The objective of this Defined Fund is capital appreciation
           by investing for a period of two years in a fixed portfolio
           of stocks in the biotechnology sector of the healthcare
           industry.
           You can participate in the Portfolio by purchasing units.
           Each unit represents an equal share of the stocks in the
           Portfolio and receives an equal share of income
           distributions, if any.
       2.  WHAT IS THE PORTFOLIO'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY?
           The Portfolio contains 18 stocks in the biotechnology
           sector of the healthcare industry. Analysts from Merrill
           Lynch's Global Research and Economics Group consider the
           stocks to be among the most attractive in the biotechnology
           sector. It is believed that these companies possess the
           greatest potential for new product development. Defined
           Asset Funds screened the stocks for market capitalization
           and liquidity.
           Defined Asset Funds believes that a current opportunity
           exists with biotechnology stocks because of:

 

        o  high levels of development of new products and
           applications;
        o  the recently expedited FDA process;
        o  an aging population; and
        o  inter-company efforts to produce, develop and market new
           drugs.

 

           The Portfolio plans to hold the stocks in the Portfolio for
           about two years. At the end of approximately two years, we
           will liquidate the Portfolio and apply a similar Strategy
           to select a new portfolio, if available.

    
 

       3.  WHAT INDUSTRY SECTORS ARE REPRESENTED IN THE PORTFOLIO?
           Based upon the principal business of each issuer and
           current market values, the Portfolio represents the
           following industry group:

 

                                                 APPROXIMATE
                                                  PORTFOLIO
                                                  PERCENTAGE

 
   
        o  Biotechnology                                             100%
    
 

       4.  WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS?
           YOU CAN LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE PORTFOLIO. THIS CAN
           HAPPEN FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING:
        o  Stock prices can be volatile.
        o  Share prices may decline during the life of the Portfolio.
        o  Because the Portfolio is concentrated in biotechnology
           stocks, adverse developments in this industry may affect the
           value of your units. These risks are discussed later in the
           prospectus under Concentration Risk.
        o  The Portfolio may continue to purchase or hold the stocks
           originally selected even though their market value or yield
           may have changed or they may be subject to sell
           recommendations from the Sponsor.
       5.  IS THIS PORTFOLIO APPROPRIATE FOR YOU?
           Yes, if you want capital appreciation. You will benefit from
           a professionally selected and supervised portfolio whose
           risk is reduced by investing in equity securities of
           different issuers.

 

           The Portfolio is not appropriate for you if you are
           unwilling to take the risk involved with an equity
           investment or if you are seeking preservation of capital or
           high current income.

 
 
                                       3
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               Defined Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Equity Investor Fund
 
Focus Series
 
   
Biotechnology Portfolio
 
Defined Asset Funds
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                          PRICE
                                        TICKER         PERCENTAGE       PER SHARE          COST
NAME OF ISSUER                          SYMBOL      OF PORTFOLIO (1)   TO PORTFOLIO  TO PORTFOLIO (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>            <C>            
 1. Affymetrix, Inc.                      AFFX                3.46%     $    36.6875   $     10,492.63
2. Alkermes, Inc.                        ALKS                3.50           30.6250         10,596.25
3. Amgen, Inc.                           AMGN                7.99           73.7500         24,190.00
4. BioChem Pharma, Inc.+                 BCHE                5.12           20.0000         15,500.00
5. Biogen, Inc.                          BGEN                7.97          111.7500         24,138.00
6. Centocor, Inc.                        CNTO                5.17           37.9375         15,668.19
7. Chiron Corporation                    CHIR                8.18           21.6250         24,782.25
8. GelTex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.          GELX                3.68           14.8750         11,156.25
9. Genentech, Inc.                        GNE                7.91           83.4375         23,946.56
10. Genzyme Corporation-General
    Division                             GENZ                8.00           51.3125         24,219.50
11. Gilead Sciences, Inc.                GILD                5.12           46.5625         15,505.31
12. Human Genome Sciences, Inc.          HGSI                3.48           31.2500         10,531.25
13. IDEC Pharmaceuticals
    Corporation                          IDPH                5.15           49.0000         15,582.00
14. Immunex Corporation                  IMNX                8.09          171.3750         24,506.63
15. MedImmune, Inc.                      MEDI                5.12           54.3750         15,496.87
16. QLT PhotoTherapeutics, Inc.+         QLTI                5.14           47.3750         15,586.37
17. SangStat Medical Corporation         SANG                3.45           14.5000         10,454.50
18. Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.         VRTX                3.47           23.7500         10,497.50
                                                    -----------------                -----------------
                                                           100.00%                    $    302,850.06
                                                    -----------------                -----------------
                                                    -----------------                -----------------

</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------------
 
(1) Based on Cost to Portfolio.
 
(2) Valuation by the Trustee made on the basis of closing sale prices at the
    evaluation time on March 24, 1999, the business day prior to the initial
    date of deposit. The value of the securities on any subsequent business day
    will vary.
 
 + The issuer is a foreign corporation; dividends, if any, will be subject to
   withholding taxes.
 
                      ------------------------------------
 
The Sponsor may have acted as underwriter, manager or co-manager of a public
offering of the securities in this Portfolio during the last three years.
Affiliates of the Sponsor may serve as specialists in the securities in this
Portfolio on one or more stock exchanges and may have a long or short position
in any of these securities or options on any of them, and may be on the opposite
side of public orders executed on the floor of an exchange where the securities
are listed. An officer, director or employee of the Sponsor may be an officer or
director of one or more of the issuers of the securities in the Portfolio. The
Sponsor may trade for its own account as an odd-lot dealer, market maker, block
positioner and/or arbitrageur in any of the securities or in options on them.
The Sponsor, its affiliates, directors, elected officers and employee benefits
programs may have either a long or short position in any securities or in
options on them.
 
                      ------------------------------------
 
                   PLEASE NOTE THAT IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS USED AS A PRELIMINARY
                   PROSPECTUS
                   FOR A FUTURE FUND IN THIS SERIES, THE PORTFOLIO WILL CONTAIN
                   DIFFERENT
                   STOCKS FROM THOSE DESCRIBED ABOVE.
 

<PAGE>
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY (Continued)
 

       6.  WHAT ARE THE PORTFOLIO'S FEES AND EXPENSES?
           This table shows the costs and expenses you may pay,
           directly or indirectly, when you invest in the Portfolio.

 

   
           ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING
           EXPENSES
                                                           AMOUNT
                                             AS A % OF  PER 1,000
                                             NET ASSETS     UNITS
                                             ---------------------
                                                .091%   $    0.90
           Trustee's Fee
                                                .046%   $    0.45
           Portfolio Supervision,
           Bookkeeping and
           Administrative Fees (including
           updating
           expenses)
                                                .033%   $    0.33
           Other Operating Expenses
                                           ----------  -----------
                                                .170%   $    1.68
           TOTAL
    

 

           ORGANIZATION COSTS per 1,000 units          $    2.04
           (deducted from Portfolio assets at
           the close of the initial offering
           period)

 

           The Sponsor historically paid updating and organization
           costs.

 

           INVESTOR FEES
                                                           4.50%
           Maximum Sales Fee (Load) during the
           initial offering period on new
           purchases (as a percentage of $1,000
           invested)

 

   
           In the secondary market, this percentage will vary
           depending on unit price.
           You will pay an up-front sales fee of approximately 1.00%.
           In addition, seven monthly deferred sales charges of $2.50
           per 1,000 units ($17.50 annually) will be deducted from
           the Portfolio's net asset value each year of the
           Portfolio's two-year life (October 1 and 15, November 1,
           1999 through March 1, 2000 and April 1, 2000 through
           October 1, 2001).
    

 
           The maximum sales fees are as follows:
 

                                           YOUR MAXIMUM
                                              SALES FEE
                  IF YOU INVEST:               WILL BE:
           -----------------------------  -----------------
           Less than $50,000                       4.50%
           $ 50,000 to $99,999                     4.25%
           $100,000 to $249,999                    3.75%
           $250,000 to $999,999                    3.50%
           $1,000,000 or more                      2.75%

 

           EXAMPLE
           This example may help you compare the cost of investing in
           the Portfolio to the cost of investing in other funds.
           The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the
           Portfolio for the periods indicated and sell all your units
           at the end of those periods. The example also assumes a 5%
           return on your investment each year and that the
           Portfolio's operating expenses stay the same. Although your
           actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these
           assumptions your costs would be:

 

   
            1 Year     3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
             $315       $744      $1,199      $2,445

 

       7.  IS THE PORTFOLIO MANAGED?
           Unlike a mutual fund, the Portfolio is not managed and
           stocks are not sold because of market changes. The Sponsor
           monitors the portfolio and may instruct the Trustee to sell
           securities if the issuer no longer meets the selection
           criteria or under certain other limited circumstances.
       8.  HOW DO I BUY UNITS?
           The minimum investment is $250.
           You can buy units from the Sponsor. Employees of the
           Sponsor or Sponsor affiliates and non-employee directors of
           the Sponsor may buy units subject only to the deferred
           sales charge.
           UNIT PRICE PER 1,000 UNITS              $999.95
           (as of March 24, 1999)
           Unit price is based on the net asset value of the Portfolio
           plus the up-front sales fee.
           The Unit price includes the estimated organization costs of
           $2.04 per 1,000 units, to which no sales fee has been
           applied.
           The Portfolio stocks are valued by the Trustee on the basis
           of their closing prices at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time every
           business day. Unit price changes every day with changes in
           the prices of the stocks.
    

 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 9. HOW DO I SELL UNITS?
 
You may sell your units at any time to the Sponsor or the Trustee for the net
asset value determined at the close of business on the date of sale, less any
remaining deferred sales fee and the costs of liquidating securities to meet the
redemption.
10. HOW ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE AND TAXED? Distributions of dividend income, if
any, will be made when the Portfolio terminates. For tax purposes, you will be
considered to have received all the dividends paid on your pro rata portion of
each security in the Portfolio when those dividends are received by the
Portfolio even though a portion of the dividend payments may be used to pay
expenses of the Portfolio.
 
11. WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE? REINVESTMENT
You may choose to reinvest any distributions into additional units of the
Portfolio. You will pay only the deferred sales charge remaining at the time of
reinvestment. Unless you choose reinvestment, you will receive your income
distribution in cash.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
You may exchange units of this Portfolio for units of certain other Defined
Asset Funds. You may also exchange into this Portfolio from certain other funds.
We charge a reduced sales fee on designated exchanges.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR INVESTMENT
 
INCOME
 
Any dividend income will be distributed at termination of the Portfolio.
 
There can be no assurance that any dividends will be declared or paid.
 
RECORDS AND REPORTS
 
You will receive:
 
o a notice from the Trustee if new equity securities are deposited in exchange
  or substitution for equity securities originally deposited;
 
   
o annual reports on Portfolio activity; and
 
o annual tax information. This will also be sent to the IRS. You must report the
  amount of income received. Please contact your tax adviser in this regard.
    
 
You may inspect records of Portfolio transactions at the Trustee's office during
regular business hours.
 
THE RISKS YOU FACE
 
CONCENTRATION RISK
 
When stocks in a particular industry make up 25% or more of the Portfolio, it is
said to be 'concentrated' in that industry, which makes the Portfolio less
diversified.
 
Here is what you should know about the Portfolio's concentration in the
biotechnology sector of the healthcare industry.
 
   o Biotechnology companies need to price drugs to cover costs. Increased
      competition, managed care, larger provider networks and a planned medicare
     program may make it difficult to raise prices, and in fact, may result in
      price discounting.
 
   
   o Biotechnology companies are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
      Before any drug or medical device can be sold, it must receive FDA
     approval. The process to obtain FDA approval has historically been long and
     costly, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to recoup these costs.
    
 
   o Biotechnology companies face the risk of large product liability suits and
      consequently must carry expensive liability insurance.
 
   o The biotechnology industry is an emerging growth industry, and therefore
      biotechnology companies may be thinly capitalized and more volatile than
      companies with greater capitalization.
 
   o Biotechnology companies generally retain earnings to finance the company's
      expansion, and as a result no dividends may be paid. Additional capital
     may be required to market new products on a commercial basis.
 
   o Biotechnology companies may be dependent for their revenues on only a few
     products, and may depend on their competitors to produce and market their
      products. These companies are therefore susceptible to product
     obsolescence, a common problem in a rapidly developing area like
     biotechnology.
 
LITIGATION AND LEGISLATION RISKS
 
   
We do not know of any pending litigation that might have a material adverse
effect upon the Portfolio.
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
SELLING OR EXCHANGING UNITS
 
You can sell your units at any time for a price based on their net asset value.
Your net asset value is calculated each business day by:
 
   o adding the value of the Portfolio Securities, cash and any other Portfolio
      assets;
 
   o subtracting accrued but unpaid Portfolio expenses, unreimbursed Trustee
      advances, cash held to buy back units or for distribution to investors,
     and any other Portfolio liabilities; and
 
   o dividing the result by the number of outstanding units.
 
Your net asset value when you sell may be more or less than your cost because of
sales fees, market movements and changes in the Portfolio.
 
As of the close of the initial offering period, the price you receive will be
reduced to pay the Portfolio's estimated organization costs.
 
If you sell your units before the final deferred sales fee installment, the
amount of any remaining payments will be deducted from your proceeds.
 
SPONSOR'S SECONDARY MARKET
 
While we are not obligated to do so, we will buy back units at net asset value
less any remaining deferred sales fee and the cost of liquidating securities to
meet the redemption. We may resell the units to other buyers or to the Trustee.
 
We have maintained a secondary market continuously for more than 28 years, but
we could discontinue it without prior notice for any business reason.
 
SELLING UNITS TO THE TRUSTEE
 
Regardless of whether we maintain a secondary market, you can sell your units to
the Trustee at any time by contacting your broker, dealer or financial
institution that holds your units in street name. Sometimes, additional
documents are needed such as a trust document, certificate of corporate
authority, certificate of death or appointment as executor, administrator or
guardian.
 
Within seven days after your request and the necessary documents are received,
the Trustee will mail a check to you. Contact the Trustee for additional
information.
 
As long as we are maintaining a secondary market, the Trustee will sell your
units to us at a price based on net asset value. If there is no secondary
market, the Trustee will sell your units in the over-the-counter market if it
believes it can obtain a higher price. In that case, you will receive the net
proceeds of the sale.
 
If the Portfolio does not have cash available to pay you for the units you are
selling we will select securities to be sold. These sales could be made at times
when the securities would not otherwise be sold and may result in your receiving
less than you paid for your unit and also reduce the size and diversity of the
Portfolio.
 
If you sell units with a value of at least $250,000, you may choose to receive
your distribution 'in kind.' If you so choose, you will receive securities and
cash with a total value equal to the price of your units. The Trustee will try
to distribute securities in the portfolio pro rata, but it reserves the right to
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
distribute only one or a few securities. The Trustee will act as your agent in
an in-kind distribution and will either hold the securities for your account or
transfer them as you instruct. You must pay any transaction costs as well as
transfer and ongoing custodial fees on sales of securities distributed in kind.
 
There could be a delay in paying you for your units:
 
   o if the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and
      holiday closings);
 
   o if the SEC determines that trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
     restricted or that an emergency exists making sale or evaluation of the
     securities not reasonably practicable; and
 
   o for any other period permitted by SEC order.
 
ROLLOVER/EXCHANGE OPTION
 
   
When this Portfolio is about to terminate, you may have the option to roll your
proceeds into a new Biotechnology Portfolio if one is available.
 
If you notify your financial adviser by March 28, 2001, your units will be
redeemed and certain distributed securities plus the proceeds from the sale of
the remaining distributed securities will be reinvested in units of a new
Biotechnology Portfolio. If you decide not to roll over your proceeds, you will
receive a cash distribution (or, if you are eligible and you so choose, an
in-kind distribution) after the Portfolio terminates.
 
The Portfolio will terminate by April 27, 2001. You may, by written notice to
the Trustee at least ten business days prior to termination, elect to receive an
in-kind distribution of your pro rata share of the securities remaining in the
Portfolio at that time (net of your share of expenses). Of course you can sell
your Units at any time prior to termination.
 
You may exchange units of this Portfolio for units of another Select or Focus
Series or certain other Defined Asset Funds at any time before this Portfolio
terminates. If you continue to hold your units, you may exchange units of this
Portfolio for units of certain other Defined Asset Funds at a reduced sales fee
if your investment goals change. To exchange units, you should talk to your
financial professional about what Series are exchangeable, suitable and
currently available.
    
 
We may amend or terminate the options to exchange your units or roll your
proceeds at any time without notice.
 
HOW THE FUND WORKS
 
PRICING
 
Units are charged a combination of initial and deferred sales fees.
 
In addition, during the initial offering period, a portion of the price of a
unit also consists of cash to pay all or some of the costs of organizing the
Portfolio including:
 
   o cost of initial preparation of legal documents;
 
   o federal and state registration fees;
 
   o initial fees and expenses of the Trustee;
 
   o initial audit; and
 
   o legal expenses and other out-of-pocket expenses.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
The deferred sales fee is generally a monthly charge of $2.50 per 1,000 units
and is accrued in seven monthly installments each year of the Portfolio's life.
Units redeemed or repurchased prior to the accrual of the final deferred sales
fee installment will have the amount of any remaining installments deducted from
the redemption or repurchase proceeds or deducted in calculating an in-kind
distribution. (This deduction will be waived in the event of the death or
disability, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, of an investor). If
you redeem or sell your units before April 1, 2000, you will pay only the
balance of any deferred sales fee remaining for the first year. If you redeem or
sell your units on or after April 1, 2000 you will pay the remaining balance of
the deferred sales fee for the second year. The initial sales fee is equal to
the aggregate sales fee less the aggregate amount of any remaining installments
of the deferred sales fee.
    
 
It is anticipated that securities will not be sold to pay the deferred sales fee
until after the date of the last installment. Investors will be at risk for
market price fluctuations in the securities from the several installment accrual
dates to the dates of actual sale of securities to satisfy this liability.
 
EVALUATIONS
 
The Trustee values the securities on each business day (i.e., any day other than
Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays as observed by the New York Stock
Exchange: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas).
If the securities are listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq
National Market, evaluations are generally based on closing sales prices on that
exchange or that system or, if closing sales prices are not available, at the
mean between the closing bid and offer prices.
 
INCOME
 
o The annual income per unit, if any, after deducting estimated annual Portfolio
   expenses per unit, will depend primarily upon the amount of dividends
  declared and paid by the issuers of the securities and changes in the expenses
  of the Portfolio and, to a lesser degree, upon the level of sales of
   securities. There is no assurance that dividends on the securities will be
  declared or paid.
 
o Each unit receives an equal share of any distributions of dividend income net
  of estimated expenses. Because dividends on the securities are not received at
  a constant rate throughout the year, any distribution may be more or less than
  the amount then credited to the income account. The Trustee credits dividends
  received to an Income Account and other receipts to a Capital Account. The
  Trustee may establish a reserve account by withdrawing from these accounts
  amounts it considers appropriate to pay any material liability. These accounts
   do not bear interest.
 
EXPENSES
 
The Trustee is paid a fee monthly. It also benefits when it holds cash for the
Portfolio in non-interest bearing accounts. The Trustee may also receive
additional amounts:
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   o for extraordinary services and costs of indemnifying the Trustee and the
      Sponsor;
 
   o costs of actions taken to protect the Portfolio and other legal fees and
      expenses;
 
   o expenses for keeping the Portfolio's registration statement current; and
 
   o Portfolio termination expenses and any governmental charges.
 
The Sponsor is currently reimbursed up to 45 cents per 1,000 units annually for
providing portfolio supervisory, bookkeeping and administrative services and for
any other expenses properly chargeable to the Portfolio. Legal, typesetting,
electronic filing and regulatory filing fees and expenses associated with
updating the Portfolio's registration statement yearly are also now chargeable
to the Portfolio. While this fee may exceed the amount of these costs and
expenses attributable to this Portfolio, the total of these fees for all Series
of Defined Asset Funds will not exceed the aggregate amount attributable to all
of these Series for any calendar year. Certain of these expenses were previously
paid for by the Sponsor.
 
The Trustee's and Sponsor's fees may be adjusted for inflation without
investors' approval.
 
The deferred sales fees you owe are paid from the Capital Account. Although we
may collect the deferred sales charge monthly, to keep Units more fully invested
we do not currently plan to pay the deferred sales charge until after the
rollover notification date.
 
The Sponsor will pay advertising and selling expenses at no charge to the
Portfolio. If Portfolio expenses exceed initial estimates, the Portfolio will
owe the excess. The Trustee has a lien on Portfolio assets to secure
reimbursement of Portfolio expenses and may sell securities if cash is not
available.
 
PORTFOLIO CHANGES
 
If we maintain a secondary market in units but are unable to sell the units that
we buy in the secondary market, we will redeem units, which will affect the size
and composition of the portfolio.
 
We decide whether to offer units for sale that we acquire in the secondary
market after reviewing:
 
   o diversity of the Portfolio;
 
   o size of the Portfolio relative to its original size;
 
   o ratio of Portfolio expenses to income; and
 
   o cost of maintaining a current prospectus.
 
PORTFOLIO TERMINATION
 
When the Portfolio is about to terminate you will receive a notice, and you will
be unable to sell your units after that time. Unless you choose to receive an
in-kind distribution of securities, we will sell any remaining securities, and
you will receive your final distribution in cash.
 
You will pay your share of the expenses associated with termination, including
brokerage costs in selling securities. This may reduce the amount you receive as
your final distribution.
 
NO CERTIFICATES
 
All investors are required to hold their Units in uncertificated form and in
'street name' by their broker, dealer or financial institution at the Depository
Trust Company.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
TRUST INDENTURE
 
The Portfolio is a 'unit investment trust' governed by a Trust Indenture, a
contract between the Sponsor and the Trustee, which sets forth their duties and
obligations and your rights. A copy of the Indenture is available to you on
request to the Trustee. The following summarizes certain provisions of the
Indenture.
 
The Sponsor and the Trustee may amend the Indenture without your consent:
 
   o to cure ambiguities;
 
   o to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision;
 
   o to make any amendment required by any governmental agency; or
 
   o to make other changes determined not to be materially adverse to your best
     interest (as determined by the Sponsor).
 
Investors holding 51% of the units may amend the Indenture. Every investor must
consent to any amendment that changes the 51% requirement. No amendment may
reduce your interest in the Portfolio without your written consent.
 
The Trustee may resign by notifying the Sponsor. The Sponsor may remove the
Trustee without your consent if:
 
   o it fails to perform its duties;
 
   o it becomes incapable of acting or bankrupt or its affairs are taken over by
      public authorities; or
 
   o the Sponsor determines that its replacement is in your best interest.
 
Investors holding 51% of the units may remove the Trustee. The Trustee may
resign or be removed by the Sponsor without the consent of investors. The
resignation or removal of the Trustee becomes effective when a successor accepts
appointment. The Sponsor will try to appoint a successor promptly; however, if
no successor has accepted within 30 days after notice of resignation, the
resigning Trustee may petition a court to appoint a successor.
 
If the Sponsor fails to perform its duties or becomes bankrupt the Trustee may:
 
   o remove it and appoint a replacement Sponsor;
 
   o liquidate the Portfolio; or
 
   o continue to act as Trustee without a Sponsor.
 
The Trust Indenture contains customary provisions limiting the liability of the
Trustee and the Sponsor.
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, as
special counsel for the Sponsor, has given an opinion that the units are validly
issued.
 
AUDITORS
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 2 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281,
independent accountants, audited the Statement of Condition included in this
prospectus.
 
SPONSOR:
 
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED (a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.)
 
P.O. Box 9051,
Princeton, NJ 08543-9051
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
The Sponsor is a Delaware corporation and it, or its predecessor, has acted as
sponsor to many unit investment trusts. As a registered broker-dealer the
Sponsor buys and sells securities (including investment company shares) for
others (including investment companies) and participates as an underwriter in
various selling groups.
 
TRUSTEE
 
   
The Chase Manhattan Bank, Unit Trust Department, 4 New York Plaza--6th Floor,
New York, New York 10004, is the Trustee. It is supervised by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System and New York State banking authorities.
    
 
SPONSOR'S PROFITS
The Sponsor receives sales fees when it sells units. Any cash made available by
you to the Sponsor before the settlement date for those units may be used in the
Sponsor's business to the extent permitted by federal law and may benefit the
Sponsor.
 
The Sponsor may realize profits or sustain losses on stocks in the Portfolio
which were acquired from underwriting syndicates of which it was a member.
 
During the initial offering period, the Sponsor may realize profits or sustain
losses on units it holds due to fluctuations in the price per unit. The Sponsor
experienced a loss of $14.35 on the initial deposit of the Securities. Any
profit or loss to the Portfolio will be effected by the receipt of applicable
sales fees and a gain or loss on subsequent deposits of securities. In
maintaining a secondary market, the Sponsor will also realize profits or sustain
losses in the amount of any difference between the prices at which it buys units
and the prices at which it resells or redeems them.
 
PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
 
During the initial offering period, units will be distributed to the public by
the Sponsor and dealers who are members of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
Dealers will be entitled to the concession stated below on Units sold or
redeemed during the first year. On Units held in the second year, the dealer
will be entitled to an additional concession of $11 per 1,000 Units ($5 per
1,000 Units for purchases of $1 million or more).
 

                                             DEALER CONCESSION
                                                         AS
                                              A % OF PUBLIC
                   AMOUNT PURCHASED          OFFERING PRICE
           --------------------------------  -------------------
           Less than $50,000                           2.00%
           $50,000 to $99,999                          1.80%
           $100,000 to $249,999                        1.45%
           $250,000 to $999,999                        1.25%
           $1,000,000 and over                         0.50%

 
The Sponsor does not intend to qualify units for sale in any foreign countries.
This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell units in any country where
units cannot lawfully be sold.
 
CODE OF ETHICS
 
The Sponsor has adopted a code of ethics requiring reporting of personal
securities transactions by its employees with access to information on portfolio
transactions. The goal of the code is to prevent fraud, deception or misconduct
against the Portfolio and to provide reasonable standards of conduct.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
 
Many computer systems were designed in such a way that they may be unable to
distinguish between the year 2000 and the year 1900 (commonly known as the 'Year
2000 Problem'). We do not expect that the computer system changes necessary to
prepare for the Year 2000 will cause any major operational difficulties for the
Portfolio. The Year 2000 Problem may adversely affect the issuers of the
securities contained in the Portfolio, but we cannot predict whether any impact
will be material to the Portfolio as a whole.
 
ADVERTISING AND SALES LITERATURE
 
Advertising and sales literature may include brief descriptions of the principal
businesses of the companies represented in the Portfolio.
    
 
TAXES
 
The following discussion summarizes the material income tax consequences of
holding Units. It assumes that you are not a dealer, financial institution,
insurance company or other investor with special circumstances. You should
consult your own tax adviser about your particular circumstances.
 
In the opinion of our counsel, under existing law:
 
GENERAL TREATMENT OF THE FUND AND YOUR INVESTMENT
 
The Portfolio will not be taxed as a corporation for federal income tax
purposes, and you will be considered to own directly your share of each Security
in the Portfolio. You will be considered to receive your share of any dividends
paid when those dividends are received by the Portfolio. Income from dividends
will be taxed at ordinary income rates. If you are a corporate investor, you may
be eligible for the dividends received deduction if you satisfy the applicable
holding period and other requirements. You should consult your tax adviser in
this regard.
 
GAIN OR LOSS UPON DISPOSITION
 
   
You will generally recognize gain or loss when you dispose of your units for
cash (by sale or redemption) or when the Trustee disposes of the Securities in
the Portfolio. You generally will not recognize gain or loss on Securities
distributed to you 'in-kind,' either in redemption of your units or upon
termination of the Portfolio. Your basis for Securities distributed to you will
be the same as the portion of your basis in your units that is attributable to
the distributed Securities, and your holding period for the distributed
Securities will include your holding period in your units.
 
If you elect to roll over your investment in the Portfolio, you will not
recognize gain or loss on your units except to the extent that your share of the
Securities in the Portfolio is sold. Your basis in the Securities that are
rolled over into a new portfolio will be the same as the portion of your basis
in your units that is attributable to those Securities.
 
If your net long-term capital gains exceed your net short-term capital losses,
the excess may be subject to tax at a lower rate than ordinary income. Any
capital gain or loss from the Portfolio will be long-term if you are considered
to have held the Securities that produce the gain or loss for more than one year
     
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
and short-term if you held those Securities for one year or less. Because the
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations, you may not be able
to deduct all of your capital losses. You should consult your tax adviser in
this regard.
 
YOUR TAX BASIS IN THE SECURITIES
 
Your aggregate tax basis in units that you have purchased for cash will be equal
to the cost of the units, including the sales fee. Your aggregate tax basis in
units that you hold as a result of a rollover from an earlier portfolio will
equal your basis in Securities that have been rolled over from the previous
portfolio plus the proceeds (other than proceeds that were paid to you) from the
sale of Securities that were not rolled over. You should not increase your basis
in your units by deferred sales fees or organizational expenses. The tax
reporting form and annual statement you receive will be based on the net amounts
paid to you, from which these expenses will already be deducted.
    
 
EXPENSES
 
If you are an individual who itemizes deductions, you may deduct your share of
Portfolio expenses, but only to the extent that your share of the expenses,
together with your other miscellaneous deductions, exceeds 2% of your adjusted
gross income. Your ability to deduct Portfolio expenses will be limited further
if your adjusted gross income exceeds a specified amount (currently, $126,600 or
$63,300 for a married person filing separately).
 
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
 
Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, the Portfolio will
not be taxed as a corporation, and the income of the Portfolio will be treated
as the income of the investors in the same manner as for federal income tax
purposes.
 
FOREIGN TAXES
 
   
Dividends paid with respect to any foreign Securities in the Portfolio will
generally be subject to foreign withholding taxes. You will be considered to
receive the entire amount of your share of these dividends, including your share
of foreign taxes withheld. You may be eligible for a credit or a deduction for
your share of these taxes to reduce your U.S. tax liability, subject to various
requirements and limitations. You should consult your tax adviser in this
regard.
    
 
FOREIGN INVESTORS
 
If you are a foreign investor and you are not engaged in a U.S. trade or
business, you generally will be subject to 30% withholding tax (or a lower
applicable treaty rate) on distributions. You should consult your tax adviser
about the possible application of federal, state and local, and foreign taxes.
 
RETIREMENT PLANS
 
   
You may wish to purchase units for an Individual Retirement Account ('IRAs') or
other retirement plan. Generally, capital gains and income received in each of
these plans are exempt from federal taxation. However, all distributions from
these types of plans are generally treated as ordinary income, subject to
tax-deferred rollover treatment in some cases. You should consult your attorney
or tax adviser about the specific tax rules relating to
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
these plans. These plans are offered by brokerage firms, including the Sponsor
of this Portfolio, and other financial institutions. Fees and charges with
respect to such plans may vary.
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 
   
You can receive at no cost supplemental information about the Portfolio by
calling the Trustee. The supplemental information includes more detailed risk
disclosure and general information about the structure and operation of the
Portfolio. The supplemental information is also available from the SEC. You may
also obtain information about the issuers of the stocks in this Portfolio from
the SEC, because each company is a reporting company.
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
The Sponsor, Trustee and Holders of Equity Investor Fund, Focus Series,
Biotechnology Portfolio, Defined Asset Funds (the 'Portfolio'):
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of condition and the related defined
portfolio included in the prospectus of the Portfolio as of March 25, 1999. This
financial statement is the responsibility of the Trustee. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our procedures included
confirmation of an irrevocable letter of credit deposited for the purchase of
securities, as described in the statement of condition, with the Trustee. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by the Trustee, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of March 25,
1999 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, N.Y.
March 25, 1999
 
                  STATEMENT OF CONDITION AS OF MARCH 25, 1999
 
TRUST PROPERTY
 

Investments--Contracts to purchase Securities(1).........$         302,850.06
                                                         --------------------
           Total.........................................$         302,850.06
                                                         --------------------
                                                         --------------------
LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF HOLDERS
     Reimbursement of Sponsor for organization
       expenses(2).......................................$             624.05
                                                         --------------------
     Subtotal                                                          624.05
                                                         --------------------
Interest of Holders of 305,909 Units of fractional
  undivided interest outstanding:(3)
  Cost to investors(4)...................................$         305,893.70
  Gross underwriting commissions and organization
    expenses(5)(2).......................................           (3,667.69)
                                                         --------------------
     Subtotal                                                      302,226.01
                                                         --------------------
           Total.........................................$         302,850.06
                                                         --------------------
                                                         --------------------

 
- ---------------
 
          (1) Aggregate cost to the Portfolio of the securities listed under
Defined Portfolio determined by the Trustee at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on March
24, 1999. The contracts to purchase securities are collateralized by an
irrevocable letter of credit which has been issued by DBS Bank, New York Branch,
in the amount of $302,864.41 and deposited with the Trustee. The amount of the
letter of credit includes $302,850.06 for the purchase of securities.
 
          (2) A portion of the Unit Price consists of securities in an amount
sufficient to pay all or a portion of the costs incurred in establishing the
Portfolio. These costs have been estimated at $2.04 per 1,000 Units. A
distribution will be made as of the close of the initial offering period to an
account maintained by the Trustee from which the organization expenses
obligation of the investors will be satisfied.
 
          (3) Because the value of securities at the evaluation time on the
Initial Date of Deposit may differ from the amounts shown in this statement of
condition, the number of Units offered on the Initial Date of Deposit will be
adjusted to maintain the $999.95 per 1,000 Units offering price only for that
day. The Unit Price on any subsequent business day will vary.
 
          (4) Aggregate public offering price computed on the basis of the value
of the underlying securities at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on March 24, 1999.
 
          (5) Assumes the maximum initial sales charge per 1,000 units of 1.00%
of the Unit Price. A deferred sales charge of $2.50 per 1,000 Units is payable
on October 1 and 15, 1999 and thereafter on the 1st day of each month through
March 1, 2000 and monthly April 1, 2000 through October 1, 2000. Distributions
will be made to an account maintained by the Trustee from which the deferred
sales charge obligation of the investors to the Sponsor will be satisfied.
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                             Defined
                             Asset FundsSM
 

   
HAVE QUESTIONS ?                         EQUITY INVESTOR FUND
Request the most                         FOCUS SERIES
recent free Information                  BIOTECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO
Supplement that gives more               (A Unit Investment Trust)
details about the Trust,                 ---------------------------------------
by calling:                              This Prospectus does not contain
The Chase Manhattan Bank                 complete information about the
1-800-323-1508                           investment company filed with the
                                         Securities and Exchange Commission in
                                         Washington, D.C. under the:
                                         o Securities Act of 1933 (file no.
                                         333-48303) and
                                         o Investment Company Act of 1940 (file
                                         no. 811-3044).
                                         TO OBTAIN COPIES AT PRESCRIBED RATES--
                                         WRITE: Public Reference Section of the
                                         Commission
                                         450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
                                         D.C. 20549-6009
                                         CALL: 1-800-SEC-0330.
                                         VISIT: http://www.sec.gov.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         No person is authorized to give any
                                         information or representations about
                                         this Fund not contained in this
                                         Prospectus or the Information
                                         Supplement, and you should not rely on
                                         any other information.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         When units of this Fund are no longer
                                         available, this Prospectus may be used
                                         as a preliminary prospectus for a
                                         future series, but some of the
                                         information in this Prospectus will be
                                         changed for that series.
                                         Units of any future series may not be
                                         sold nor may offers to buy be accepted
                                         until that series has become effective
                                         with the Securities and Exchange
                                         Commission. No units can be sold in any
                                         State where a sale would be illegal.
    

 
                                                           -- /99
 


<PAGE>
   
                                    PART II
             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
A. The following information relating to the Depositor is incorporated by refer*
cated and made a part of this Registration Statement.
 
 I. Bonding arrangements of the Depositor are incorporated by reference to Item
A of Part II to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act
of 1933 for Municipal Investment Trust Fund, Monthly Payment Series--573 Defined
Asset Funds (Reg. No. 333-08241).
 
 II. The date of organization of the Depositor is set forth in Item B of Part II
to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 for
Municipal Investment Trust Fund, Monthly Payment Series--573 Defined Asset Funds
(Reg. No. 333-08241) and is herein incorporated by reference thereto.
 
III. The Charter and By-Laws of the Depositor are incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibits 1.3 through 1.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6
under the Securities Act of 1933 for Municipal Investment Trust Fund, Monthly
Payment Series--573 Defined Asset Funds (Reg. No. 333-08241).
 
IV. Information as to Officers and Directors of the Depositor has been filed
pursuant to Schedules A and D of Form BD under Rules 15b1-1 and 15b3-1 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is incorporated by reference to the SEC
filing indicated and made a part of this Registration Statement:
 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated               8-*
 
- ------------------------------------
    
 
     B. The Internal Revenue Service Employer Identification Numbers of the
Sponsor and Trustee are as follows:
 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated             13-5*
The Chase Manhattan Bank, Trustee.........................     13-4*

                                      II-1


<PAGE>
                         SERIES OF EQUITY INVESTOR FUND
        DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO RULE 487 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 

   
                                                                    SEC
SERIES NUMBER                                                   FILE NUMBER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Focus Series Financial Portfolio............................          333-32179
S&P Industrial Portfolio 1998 Series H......................          333-64577
    

 
                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This Registration Statement on Form S-6 comprises the following papers and
documents:
 
     The facing sheet of Form S-6.
 
     The Cross-Reference Sheet (incorporated by reference from the
Cross-Reference Sheet of the Registration Statement of Defined Asset Funds
Municipal Insured Series, 1933 Act File No. 33-54565).
 
     The Prospectus.
 
     The Signatures.
 
     The following exhibits:
 

1.1     --Form of Trust Indenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to
          Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 of Equity
          Income Fund, Select Growth Portfolio--1995 Series 2, Defined Asset
          Funds, Reg. No. 33-58535).
1.1.1   --Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust Effective as of October
          21, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1.1 to the
          Registration Statement of Municipal Investment Trust Fund, Multistate
          Series-48, 1933 Act File No. 33-50247).
1.2     --Form of Master Agreement Among Underwriters (incorporated by reference
          to Exhibit 1.2 to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act
          of 1933 of The Corporate Income Fund, One Hundred Ninety-Fourth
          Monthly Payment Series, 1933 Act File No. 2-90925).
3.1     --Opinion of counsel as to the legality of the securities being issued
          including their consent to the use of their name under the heading
          'How The Fund Works--Legal Opinion' in the Prospectus.
5.1     --Consent of independent accountants.
9.1     --Information Supplement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.1 to
          the Registration Statement of Equity Income Fund, Select Ten Portfolio
          1999 International Series B (United Kingdom Portfolio), 1933 Act File
          No. 333-70593).

 
                                      R-1
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     The registrant hereby identifies the series numbers of Equity Investor Fund
listed on page R-1 for the purposes of the representations required by Rule 487
and represents the following:
 
     1) That the portfolio securities deposited in the series as to which this
        registration statement is being filed do not differ materially in type
        or quality from those deposited in such previous series;
 
     2) That, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific portfolio
        securities deposited in, and to provide essential information for, the
        series with respect to which this registration statement is being filed,
        this registration statement does not contain disclosures that differ in
        any material respect from those contained in the registration statements
        for such previous series as to which the effective date was determined
        by the Commission or the staff; and
 
     3) That it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
   
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND STATE OF NEW YORK ON THE 25TH DAY OF
MARCH, 1999.
    
 
                         SIGNATURE APPEARS ON PAGE R-3.
 
     A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated has signed this Registration Statement or
Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney
authorizing the person signing this Registration Statement or Amendment to the
Registration Statement to do so on behalf of such members.
 
                                      R-2
<PAGE>
               MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
                                   DEPOSITOR
 

By the following persons, who constitute  Powers of Attorney have been filed
  a majority of                             under
  the Board of Directors of Merrill         Form SE and the following 1933 Act
  Lynch, Pierce,                            File
  Fenner & Smith Incorporated:              Number: 333-70593

 
      HERBERT M. ALLISON, JR.
      GEORGE A. SCHIEREN
      JOHN L. STEFFENS
      J. DAVID MEGLEN
      (As authorized signatory for Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
      Fenner & Smith Incorporated and
      Attorney-in-fact for the persons listed above)
 
                                      R-3


    ****   INSERT THE TEXT OF EXHIBIT 3.1 HERE   ****

<PAGE>
                                                                     Exhibit 5.1
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Sponsor and Trustee of Equity Investor Fund,
Focus Series
Biotechnology Portfolio
Defined Asset Funds:
 
We consent to the use in this Registration Statement No. 333-48303 of our
opinion dated March 25, 1999, relating to the Statement of Condition of Equity
Investor Fund, Focus Series, Biotechnology Portfolio, Defined Asset Funds and to
the reference to us under the heading 'How The Fund Works--Auditors' in the
Prospectus which is a part of this Registration Statement.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, N.Y.
March 25, 1999

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-25-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          302,850
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         302,850
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 302,850
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                            0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                  0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       302,850
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          305,909
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                                   302,850
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                       0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                             0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                            0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                0
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        305,909
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                      0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                0
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                      0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                  0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                      0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


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