MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED GROWTH FUND INC, N-1A/A, 1999-06-18

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED GROWTH FUND INC
N-1A/A, 1999-06-18

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<PAGE> 1

AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 18, 1999

SECURITIES ACT FILE NO. 333-76581
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-9299
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 [X]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
AMENDMENT NO. 2 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes)

------------------------

MERRILL LYNCH
DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.*
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

800 SCUDDERS MILL ROAD, PLAINSBORO, NEW JERSEY 08536
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (609) 282-2800

TERRY K. GLENN
MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED GROWTH FUND, INC.
800 SCUDDERS MILL ROAD
PLAINSBORO, NEW JERSEY
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Counsel for the Fund:
BROWN & WOOD LLP Michael J. Hennewinkel, Esq.
One World Trade Center MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
New York, New York 10048-0557 P.O. Box 9011
Attention: Frank P. Bruno, Esq. Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011
</TABLE>

------------------------

APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
Soon as practicable after the date of this Registration Statement

------------------------

TITLE OF SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED: Shares of Common Stock, par value $.10
per share.

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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Formerly, Merrill Lynch Disciplined Growth Fund, Inc.

<PAGE> 2

Prospectus

[MERRILL LYNCH LOGO]

Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc.

[MERRILL LYNCH ARTWORK]

June 18, 1999

THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE
INVESTING, INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT RISKS. PLEASE READ
IT BEFORE YOU INVEST AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE> 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
[KEY FACTS ICON]
KEY FACTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
The Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund at a Glance....... 3
Risk/Return Bar Chart....................................... 4
Fees and Expenses........................................... 4

[DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND ICON]
DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
How the Fund Invests........................................ 6
Investment Risks............................................ 7
About the Portfolio Manager................................. 12

[YOUR ACCOUNT ICON]
YOUR ACCOUNT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch Select Pricing(SM) System..................... 15
How to Buy, Sell, Transfer and Exchange Shares.............. 22
Participation in Merrill Lynch Fee-Based Programs........... 26

[MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND ICON]
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch Asset Management.............................. 28

[MORE INFORMATION ICON]
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Reports....................................Back Cover
Statement of Additional Information....................Back Cover
</TABLE>

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 4
KEY FACTS [KEY FACTS ICON]

IN AN EFFORT TO HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND THE MANY CONCEPTS INVOLVED IN MAKING
AN INVESTMENT DECISION, WE HAVE DEFINED THE HIGHLIGHTED TERMS IN THIS PROSPECTUS
IN THE SIDEBAR.

COMMON STOCK -- shares of ownership of a corporation.

THE MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND AT A GLANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?

The Fund's investment objective is to seek both capital appreciation and current
income.

WHAT ARE THE FUND'S MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES?

The Fund invests primarily in income-producing COMMON STOCKS with a focus on
common stocks of companies that Fund management believes are likely to
experience consistent earnings growth over time. To a lesser extent, the Fund
also may invest in securities convertible into common stock and rights to
subscribe to common stock of these companies. The Fund may invest in the
securities of foreign companies in the form of American Depositary Receipts and
may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other securities issued by foreign
companies. We cannot guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goals.

Fund management uses a disciplined approach in selecting portfolio investments,
considering such factors as historical growth rate of earnings and dividends,
the issuing company's potential to generate cash flows, and the price/earnings
multiple of the stock relative to the market. Fund management will emphasize
common stocks having a medium to large stock market capitalization ($1 billion
or more).

WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND?

As with any fund, the value of the Fund's investments -- and therefore the value
of Fund shares -- may go up or down. These changes may occur because the stock
market is rising or falling. At other times, there are specific factors that may
affect the value of a particular investment. Since foreign markets may differ
significantly from U.S. markets in terms of both economic conditions and
government regulation, investments in foreign securities involve special risks.
If the value of the Fund's investments goes down, you may lose money.

WHO SHOULD INVEST?

The Fund may be an appropriate investment for you if you:

- Are investing with long term goals, such as retirement or
funding a child's education.

- Want a professionally managed and diversified portfolio.

- Are willing to accept the risk that the value of your investment
may decline in order to seek capital appreciation and current
income.

- Are prepared to receive taxable distributions of ordinary income
and capital gains.

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 3
<PAGE> 5

[KEY FACTS ICON] Key Facts

UNDERSTANDING EXPENSES

Fund investors pay various fees and expenses, either directly or indirectly.
Listed below are some of the main types of expenses, which all mutual funds may
charge:

EXPENSES PAID DIRECTLY BY THE SHAREHOLDER:

SHAREHOLDER FEES -- these include sales charges which you may pay when you buy
or sell shares of the Fund.

EXPENSES PAID INDIRECTLY BY THE SHAREHOLDER:

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES -- expenses that cover the costs of operating the
Fund.

MANAGEMENT FEE -- a fee paid to the Manager for managing the Fund.

DISTRIBUTION FEES -- fees used to support the Fund's marketing and distribution
efforts, such as compensating Financial Consultants, advertising and promotion.

SERVICE (ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE) FEES -- fees used to compensate securities dealers
for account maintenance activities.

RISK/RETURN BAR CHART

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This Prospectus does not include a Risk/Return Bar Chart because as of the date
of this Prospectus the Fund has not yet commenced operations.

FEES AND EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund offers four different classes of shares. Although your money will be
invested the same way no matter which class of shares you buy, there are
differences among the fees and expenses associated with each class. Not everyone
is eligible to buy every class. After determining which classes you are eligible
to buy, decide which class best suits your needs. Your Merrill Lynch Financial
Consultant can help you with this decision.

This table shows the different fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and
hold the different classes of shares of the Fund. Future expenses may be greater
or less than those indicated below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR
INVESTMENT)(a): CLASS A CLASS B(b) CLASS C CLASS D
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on
purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.25%(c) None None 5.25%(c)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a
percentage of original purchase price or
redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) None(d) 4.0%(c) 1.0%(c) None(d)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on Dividend
Reinvestments None None None None
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Fee None None None None
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Fee None None None None
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES THAT
ARE DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS):
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 0.65% 0.65% 0.65% 0.65%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees(e) None 1.00% 1.00% 0.25%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Expenses (including transfer agency
fees)(f) 0.89% 0.89% 0.89% 0.89%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 1.54% 2.54% 2.54% 1.79%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) In addition, Merrill Lynch may charge clients a processing fee (currently
$5.35) when a client buys or redeems shares.

(b) Class B shares automatically convert to Class D shares about 8 years after
you buy them and will no longer be subject to distribution fees.

(d) You may pay a deferred sales charge if you purchase $1 million or more and
you redeem within one year.

(e) The Fund calls the Service Fee an "Account Maintenance Fee." Account
Maintenance Fee is the term used elsewhere in this Prospectus and in all
other Fund materials. If you hold Class B or Class C shares for a long time,
it may cost you more in distribution (12b-1) fees than the maximum sales
charge that you would have paid if you had bought one of the other classes.

(f) Information under "Other Expenses" is estimated for the Fund's first fiscal
year ending May 31, 2000. The Fund pays the Transfer Agent $11.00 for each
Class A and Class D shareholder account and $14.00 for each Class B and
Class C shareholder account and reimburses the Transfer Agent's out-of-
pocket expenses. The Fund pays a 0.10% fee for certain accounts that
participate in the Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund Advisor program. The Fund also
pays a $0.20 monthly closed account charge, which is assessed upon all
accounts that close during the year. This fee begins the month following the
month the account is closed and ends at the end of the calendar year. The
Manager provides accounting services to the Fund at its cost.

4 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 6

EXAMPLES:

These examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the
Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods
indicated, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that you pay the
sales charges, if any, that apply to the particular class and that the Fund's
operating expenses remain the same. This assumption is not meant to indicate you
will receive a 5% annual rate of return. Your annual return may be more or less
than the 5% used in this example. Although your actual costs may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

EXPENSES IF YOU DID REDEEM YOUR SHARES:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 YEAR 3 YEARS
- ----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Class A $673 $ 986
- ----------------------------------------
Class B $657 $ 991
- ----------------------------------------
Class C $357 $ 791
- ----------------------------------------
Class D $697 $1,059
- ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>

EXPENSES IF YOU DID NOT REDEEM YOUR SHARES:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 YEAR 3 YEARS
- ----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Class A $673 $ 986
- ----------------------------------------
Class B $257 $ 791
- ----------------------------------------
Class C $257 $ 791
- ----------------------------------------
Class D $697 $1,059
- ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 5
<PAGE> 7

Details About the Fund [DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND ICON]

ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGER

George H. Burwell is a Vice President and the Senior Portfolio Manager of the
Fund. Mr. Burwell has been a First Vice President of Merrill Lynch Asset
Management since 1999.

ABOUT THE MANAGER

The Fund is managed by Merrill Lynch Asset Management.

HOW THE FUND INVESTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek both capital appreciation and
current income. The Fund tries to achieve its objective by investing primarily
in income-producing common stocks of companies that Fund management believes are
likely to experience consistent earnings growth over time. Fund management
believes that the common stocks of companies that have consistent earnings
growth are likely to increase in market price. Fund management looks
specifically for stocks that are experiencing consistent earnings growth but
whose market prices do not reflect that growth. In other words, the Fund seeks
to buy stocks that have a "growth" bias but that Fund management believes are
undervalued. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will
be achieved.

Fund management uses a disciplined approach in selecting portfolio investments.
Some of the factors that Fund management will consider include:

- Historical growth rate of earnings and dividends

- Issuing company's potential to generate cash flows

- Price/earnings multiple of the stock relative to the market

Although the Fund emphasizes investment in common stocks, it may also invest in
other equity securities including, but not limited to, the following:

- Securities convertible into common stock

- Preferred stock

- Rights and warrants to subscribe to common stock

The Fund generally will invest at least 65% of its total assets in equity
securities.

The Fund may invest in companies of any size but emphasizes common stocks of
companies having a medium to large stock market capitalization ($1 billion or
more).

The Fund may invest without limitation in the securities of foreign companies in
the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). In addition, the Fund may
invest up to 20% of its total assets in other forms of securities of foreign
companies, including European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") or other securities
convertible into securities of foreign companies.

The Fund may also lend its portfolio securities.

6 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 8

The Fund may invest in investment grade, non-convertible debt securities and
U.S. Government securities, although it typically will not do so to a
significant extent. The Fund may as a temporary defensive measure, and without
limitation, hold in excess of 35% of its total assets in cash or cash
equivalents and investment grade, short term securities including money market
instruments. Normally a portion of the Fund's assets will be held in these
securities in anticipation of investment in equities or to meet redemptions.
Short term investments and temporary defensive positions can be easily sold and
have limited risk of loss but may limit the Fund's ability to meet its
investment objective.

INVESTMENT RISKS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This section contains a summary discussion of the general risks of investing in
the Fund. As with any mutual fund, there can be no guarantee that the Fund will
meet its goals or that the Fund's performance will be positive for any period of
time.

MARKET AND SELECTION RISK -- Market risk is the risk that the stock market in
one or more countries in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including
the possibility that the market will go down sharply and unpredictably.
Selection risk is the risk that the investments that Fund management selects
will underperform the stock market or other funds with similar investment
objectives and investment strategies.

CREDIT RISK -- Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will be unable to pay the
interest or principal when due. The degree of credit risk depends on both the
financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.

INTEREST RATE RISK -- Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of fixed income
securities generally increase when interest rates decline and decrease when
interest rates increase. Prices of longer term securities generally change more
in response to interest rate changes than prices of shorter term securities.

FOREIGN MARKET RISK -- Since the Fund may invest in foreign securities, it
offers the potential for more diversification than an investment only in the
United States. This is because stocks traded on foreign markets have often
(though not always) performed differently than stocks in the United States.
However, such investments involve special risks not present in U.S. investments
that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. In

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 7
<PAGE> 9
[DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND ICON] DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND

particular, investment in foreign securities involves the following risks, which
are generally greater for investments in emerging markets:

- The economies of some foreign markets often do not compare
favorably with that of the United States in areas such as growth
of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources
and balance of payments. Some of these economies may rely
heavily on particular industries or foreign capital. They may be
more vulnerable to adverse diplomatic developments, the
imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or
countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade
barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures.

- Investments in foreign markets may be adversely affected by
governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls,
nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of
assets, or the imposition of punitive taxes.

- The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose
substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital
markets or in certain industries. Any of these actions could
severely affect security prices, impair the Fund's ability to
purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Fund's
assets or income back into the United States, or otherwise
adversely affect the Fund's operations.

- Other foreign market risks include foreign exchange controls,
difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign
government securities, difficulties in enforcing favorable legal
judgments in foreign courts, and political and social
instability. Legal remedies available to investors in certain
foreign countries may be less extensive than those available to
investors in the United States or other foreign countries.

- Because there are generally fewer investors on foreign exchanges
and a smaller number of shares traded each day, it may be
difficult for the Fund to buy and sell securities on those
exchanges. In addition, prices of foreign securities may go up
and down more than prices of securities traded in the United
States.

- Foreign markets have different clearance and settlement
procedures. In certain markets, settlements may be unable

8 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 10

to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions. If this
occurs, settlement may be delayed and the Fund's assets may be
uninvested and not earning returns. The Fund may miss investment
opportunities or be unable to sell an investment because of
these delays.

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION (EMU) -- A number of European countries
entered into EMU in an effort to reduce trade barriers between themselves and
eliminate fluctuations in their currencies. EMU established a single European
currency (the euro), which was introduced on January 1, 1999 and is expected to
replace the existing national currencies of all initial EMU participants by July
1, 2002. Certain securities (beginning with government and corporate bonds) were
redenominated in the euro and are listed, trade and make dividend and other
payments only in euros. Like other investment companies and business
organizations, including the companies in which the Fund invests, the Fund could
be adversely affected if the transition to the euro, or EMU as a whole, does not
proceed as planned or if a participating country withdraws from EMU.

SECURITIES LENDING -- Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower to
which the Fund has loaned its securities may not return the securities in a
timely manner or at all. As a result, the Fund might suffer costs and delay in
recovering the securities it loaned. In addition, if the Fund does not get the
securities it loaned back and the value of the collateral the Fund received in
return for the loaned securities falls, the Fund could lose money.

Risks associated with certain types of obligations in which the Fund may invest
include:

CONVERTIBLES -- Convertibles are generally debt securities or preferred stocks
that may be converted into common stock. The issuer of the convertible may be
the same as or different from the issuer of the underlying common stock.

Convertibles typically pay current income, as either interest (debt security
convertibles) or dividends (preferred stocks). A convertible's value usually
reflects both the stream of current income payments and the value of the
underlying common stock. The market value of a convertible performs like a
regular debt security, that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a
convertible usually falls. Since it is convertible into common stock, the
convertible also has the same types of market and issuer risk as the underlying
common stock.

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 9
<PAGE> 11
[DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND ICON] DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND

WARRANTS -- A warrant gives the Fund the right to buy a quantity of stock. The
warrant specifies the amount of underlying stock, the purchase (or "exercise")
price, and the date the warrant expires. The Fund has no obligation to exercise
the warrant and buy the stock.

A warrant has value only if the Fund exercises it before it expires. If the
price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the
warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Fund
loses any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may
involve substantially more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may
trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the
warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES -- The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities that it cannot easily resell within seven days at current
value or that have contractual or legal restrictions on resale. If the Fund buys
illiquid securities it may be unable to quickly resell them or may be able to
sell them only at a price below current value.

RESTRICTED SECURITIES -- Restricted securities have contractual or legal
restrictions on their resale. They include private placement securities that the
Fund buys directly from the issuer. Private placement and other restricted
securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading
market.

Restricted securities may be illiquid. The Fund may be unable to sell them on
short notice or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value.
The Fund may get only limited information about the issuer, so it may be less
able to predict a loss. In addition, if Fund management receives material
adverse nonpublic information about the issuer, the Fund will not be able to
sell the security.

RULE 144A SECURITIES -- Rule 144A securities are restricted securities that can
be resold to qualified institutional buyers but not to the general public. Rule
144A securities may have an active trading market, but carry the risk that the
active trading market may not continue.

DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS -- The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers in
the form of Depositary Receipts. American Depositary Receipts or ADR's are
receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company that show
evidence of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. European
Depositary Receipts or EDR's evidence a similar ownership arrangement. The Fund
may also invest in unsponsored Depositary Receipts. The issuers of such
unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material

10 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 12

information in the United States, and therefore, there may be less information
available regarding such issuers.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS; PURCHASE AND SALE CONTRACTS -- The Fund may enter into
certain types of repurchase agreements or purchase and sale contracts. Under a
repurchase agreement, the seller agrees to repurchase a security (typically a
security issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government) at a mutually agreed upon
time and price. This insulates the Fund from changes in the market value of the
security during the period, except for currency fluctuations. A purchase and
sale contract is similar to a repurchase agreement, but purchase and sale
contracts provide that the purchaser receives any interest on the security paid
during the period. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either
situation and the market value declines, the Fund may lose money.

DERIVATIVES -- The Fund may use derivative instruments including futures,
forwards, options, and indexed securities. Derivatives are financial instruments
whose value is derived from another security, a commodity (such as oil or gold),
or an index such as the Standard & Poor's Composite 500 Index. Derivatives allow
the Fund to increase or decrease its risk exposure more quickly and efficiently
than other types of instruments. Derivatives are volatile and involve
significant risks, including:

Credit risk -- the risk that the counterparty (the party on the
other side of the transaction) on a derivative transaction will be
unable to honor its financial obligation to the Fund.

Currency risk -- the risk that changes in the exchange rate between
currencies will adversely affect the value (in U.S. dollar terms) of
an investment.

Leverage risk -- the risk associated with certain types of
investments or trading strategies (such as borrowing money to
increase the amount of investments) that relatively small market
movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment.
Certain investments or trading strategies that involve leverage can
result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.

Liquidity Risk -- the risk that certain securities may be difficult
or impossible to sell at the time that the seller would like or at
the price that the seller believes the security is currently worth.

The Fund may use derivatives for hedging purposes, including anticipatory
hedges. Hedging is a strategy in which the Fund uses a derivative to offset

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 11
<PAGE> 13
[DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND ICON] DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND

the risk that other Fund holdings may decrease in value. While hedging can
reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains if the market moves in a
different manner than anticipated by the Fund or if the cost of the derivative
outweighs the benefit of the hedge. Hedging also involves the risk that changes
in the value of the derivative will not match those of the holdings being hedged
as expected by the Fund, in which case any losses on the holdings being hedged
may not be reduced. There can be no assurance that the Fund's hedging strategy
will reduce risk or that hedging transactions will be either available or cost
effective. The Fund is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so.

ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

George H. Burwell, a First Vice President of the Manager since 1999, as well as
a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Fund, is primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio. Mr. Burwell,
a Chartered Financial Analyst, has had 15 years experience as a research
analyst/portfolio manager. He was Senior Portfolio Manager for equities at the
Delaware Investments Family of Funds from 1992 to 1999. He managed a number of
registered mutual funds, including the Devon Fund series of Delaware Group
Equity Funds I, Inc. from its inception on December 29, 1993 to March 17, 1999.
Mr. Burwell also managed the Devon Series of Delaware Group Premium Fund, Inc.,
a variable annuity contract portfolio, from May 1, 1997 to March 17, 1999. The
investment objective, policies and strategies of the Devon Fund and the Devon
Series are substantially similar in all material respects to those of the Fund,
although both the Devon Fund and the Devon Series generally invest at least 65%
of their respective assets in dividend-paying stocks, while the Fund generally
invests at least 65% of its assets in equity securities, but not necessarily in
dividend-paying common stocks. The Fund does intend, however, to invest
primarily in dividend-paying common stocks.

The cumulative total return for Class A shares of the Devon Fund from its
inception through December 31, 1998 was 174.24%, net of the maximum front-end
sales charge, and 190.97%, without deduction of the maximum front-end sales
charge. At December 31, 1998, the Devon Fund had $287.6 million in net assets.
The cumulative total return for the Devon Series from its inception through
December 31, 1998 was 57.90%. At December 31, 1998, the Devon Series had $68.6
million in net assets. As portfolio manager

12 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 14

of the Devon Fund and the Devon Series, Mr. Burwell had full discretionary
authority over the selection of investments for each fund. Average annual
returns for the one-year, three-year and five-year periods ended December 31,
1998 to the extent applicable and for the entire period during which Mr. Burwell
managed the Devon Fund and the Devon Series compared with the performance of the
Standard & Poor's 500 Index were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE DEVON FUND(1)
WITHOUT WITH THE DEVON
SALES CHARGE SALES CHARGE SERIES(2) S&P 500 INDEX(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
One Year 22.17% 15.14% 24.04% 28.58%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Years 26.53% 24.06% N/A 28.23%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five Years 23.72% 22.26% N/A 24.06%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Devon Fund
Inception through March 17,
1999(4) 20.84% 19.46% N/A 24.11%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Devon Series
Inception through March 17,
1999(5) N/A N/A 22.14% 31.60%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

1. Average annual total return reflects changes in Class A share prices and
reinvestment of dividends and distributions and is net of fund expenses. The
maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. From commencement of operations
through December 31, 1997, Delaware Management Company, Inc. ("Delaware")
voluntarily waived a portion of the annual management fee payable by the Devon
Fund and paid the Devon Fund's expenses necessary to ensure that "Total
Operating Expenses" of the Devon Fund (excluding Rule 12b-1 expenses) did not
exceed 0.95%. Beginning January 1, 1998, Delaware agreed to waive a portion of
the annual management fee payable by the Devon Fund and paid the Devon Fund's
expenses necessary to ensure that "Total Operating Expenses" of the Devon Fund
(excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and
Rule 12b-1 expenses) did not exceed 1.00%. Without such waivers and
reimbursements, returns would have been lower.

2. Average annual total return reflects changes in share prices and reinvestment
of dividends and distributions and is net of fund expenses. From commencement
of operations, Delaware voluntarily waived a portion of the annual management
fee payable by the Devon Series and paid the Devon Series's expenses necessary
to ensure that "Total Operating Expenses" of the Devon Series (excluding
taxes, interest, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) did not
exceed 0.80%. Without such waivers and reimbursements, returns would have been
lower. Average annual total return does not reflect a deduction for insurance
account fees, which if reflected, would reduce the returns shown.

3. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks that
is considered to be generally representative of the United States stock
market. The Index is adjusted to reflect reinvestment of dividends.

4. The inception date for Class A shares of the Devon Fund was December 29,
1993.

5. The inception date for the Devon Series was May 1, 1997.

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 13
<PAGE> 15
[DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND ICON] DETAILS ABOUT THE FUND

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE DEVON FUND
AND THE DEVON SERIES ARE SEPARATE FUNDS AND THEIR HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE IS NOT
INDICATIVE OF THE POTENTIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND. Share prices and investment
returns will fluctuate reflecting market conditions as well as changes in
company-specific fundamentals of portfolio securities.

Mr. Burwell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia.
Prior to joining the Delaware Group in 1992, Mr. Burwell was a portfolio manager
for Midlantic Bank in Edison, New Jersey, where he managed an equity mutual fund
and three commingled funds.

14 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 16

YOUR ACCOUNT [YOUR ACCOUNT ICON]

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you would like further information about the Fund, including how it invests,
please see the Statement of Additional Information.

MERRILL LYNCH SELECT PRICING(SM) SYSTEM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fund offers four share classes, each with its own sales charge and expense
structure, allowing you to invest in the way that best suits your needs. Each
share class represents an ownership interest in the same investment portfolio.
When you choose your class of shares you should consider the size of your
investment and how long you plan to hold your shares. Your Merrill Lynch
Financial Consultant can help you determine which share class is best suited to
your personal financial goals.

For example, if you select Class A or D shares, you generally pay a sales charge
at the time of purchase. If you buy Class D shares, you also pay an ongoing
account maintenance fee of 0.25%. You may be eligible for a sales charge waiver.

If you select Class B or C shares, you will invest the full amount of your
purchase price, but you will be subject to a distribution fee of 0.75% and an
account maintenance fee of 0.25%. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's
assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees increase the cost of your
investment and may cost you more than paying an initial sales charge. In
addition, you may be subject to a deferred sales charge when you sell Class B or
C shares.

The Fund's shares are distributed by Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, a division
of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc., an affiliate of Merrill Lynch.

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 15
<PAGE> 17
[YOUR ACCOUNT ICON] YOUR ACCOUNT

The table below summarizes key features of the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing(SM)
System.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Availability Limited to certain Generally available Generally available
investors including: through Merrill Lynch. through Merrill Lynch.
- Current Class A Limited availability Limited availability
shareholders through other securities through other securities
- Certain Retirement dealers. dealers.
Plans
- Participants in
certain Merrill Lynch
sponsored programs
- Certain affiliates of
Merrill Lynch.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Sales Charge? Yes. Payable at time of No. Entire purchase No. Entire purchase
purchase. Lower sales price is invested in price is invested in
charges available for shares of the Fund. shares of the Fund.
larger investments.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred Sales No. (May be charged for Yes. Payable if you Yes. Payable if you
Charge? purchases over $1 redeem within four years redeem within one year
million that are of purchase. of purchase.
redeemed within one
year.)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Maintenance No. 0.25% Account 0.25% Account
and Distribution Maintenance Fee 0.75% Maintenance Fee 0.75%
Fees? Distribution Fee. Distribution Fee.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conversion to Class D No. Yes, automatically after No.
shares? approximately eight
years.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
CLASS D
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Availability Generally available
through Merrill Lynch.
Limited availability
through other securities
dealers.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Sales Charge? Yes. Payable at time of
purchase. Lower sales
charges available for
larger investments.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred Sales No. (May be charged for
Charge? purchases over $1
million that are
redeemed within one
year.)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Maintenance 0.25% Account
and Distribution Maintenance Fee No
Fees? Distribution Fee.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Conversion to Class D No.
shares?
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

16 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED GROWTH FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 18

SUBSCRIPTION OFFERING

You will initially be able to buy shares of the Fund during the subscription
period, which is expected to end on June 22, 1999. During the subscription
period, the Distributor, Merrill Lynch and other securities dealers that have
entered into agreements with the Distributor, will solicit subscriptions. The
subscriptions will be payable on the third business day after the end of the
subscription period. At that time, the Fund will begin operations and will issue
the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares.

The Fund and the Distributor may agree to extend the subscription period, but
either the Fund or the Distributor also may terminate the subscription offering
at any time. If the subscription offering is terminated, the Fund will not begin
operations and will not issue any shares, or will issue only a limited number of
shares.

The minimum initial purchase for Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D shares
during the subscription period is $1,000, except for retirement plans where the
minimal initial purchase is $100, or certain fee-based programs where the
minimum initial purchase is $250. If you purchase Class A or Class D shares
during the subscription period you will pay the following public offering price,
which includes a sales charge:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES DEALERS'
SALES CHARGE CONCESSION
-------------------------- --------------------------
PERCENTAGE* PERCENTAGE*
PUBLIC OF PUBLIC OF PUBLIC
OFFERING DOLLAR OFFERING DOLLAR OFFERING
PRICE AMOUNT PRICE AMOUNT PRICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000 $10.554 $.554 5.25% $.554 5.25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$25,000 but less than
$50,000 10.499 .499 4.75 .499 4.75
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$50,000 but less than
$100,000 10.417 .417 4.00 .417 4.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$100,000 but less than
$250,000 10.309 .309 3.00 .309 3.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$250,000 but less than
$1,000,000 10.204 .204 2.00 .204 2.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,000,000 and over** 10.000 .000 .000 .000 .000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.

** The initial sales charge may be waived on Class A and Class D purchases of
$1,000,000 or more. If the sales charge is waived, such purchases will be
subject to a deferred sales charge of 1.0% if the shares are redeemed within
one year after purchase. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to
the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being
redeemed. A sales charge of 0.75% will be charged on purchases of $1,000,000
or more of Class A or Class D shares by certain 401(k) plans.

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 17
<PAGE> 19
[YOUR ACCOUNT ICON] YOUR ACCOUNT

The Fund receives $10.00 per share from the sale of all Class A and Class D
shares sold during the subscription period.

You will pay a public offering price of $10.00 per share for any Class B or
Class C shares you purchase during the subscription period. Please see "Class B
and Class C Shares -- Deferred Sales Charge Options" below, however, for
information on deferred sales charges and ongoing account maintenance and
distribution fees that may apply to such shares.

18 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 20

RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION -- permits you to pay the sales charge that would apply to
the cost or value (whichever is higher) of all shares you own in the Merrill
Lynch mutual funds that offer Select Pricing options.

LETTER OF INTENT -- permits you to pay the sales charge that would be applicable
if you add up all shares of Merrill Lynch Select Pricing System funds that you
agree to buy within a 13 month period. Certain restrictions apply.

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

After the subscription offering ends, the Distributor and other eligible
securities dealers (including Merrill Lynch) will offer shares of the Fund to
the public on a continuous basis.

CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES -- INITIAL SALES CHARGE OPTIONS

If you select Class A or Class D shares, you will pay a sales charge at the time
of purchase.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEALER
COMPENSATION
AS A % OF AS A % OF AS A % OF
YOUR INVESTMENT OFFERING PRICE YOUR INVESTMENT* OFFERING PRICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000 5.25% 5.54% 5.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$25,000 but less than
$50,000 4.75% 4.99% 4.50%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$50,000 but less than
$100,000 4.00% 4.17% 3.75%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$100,000 but less than
$250,000 3.00% 3.09% 2.75%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$250,000 but less than
$1,000,000 2.00% 2.04% 1.80%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,000,000 and over** 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.

** If you invest $1,000,000 or more in Class A or Class D shares, you may not
pay an initial sales charge. However, if you redeem your shares within one
year after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge. This charge
is 1% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your
redemption proceeds. A sales charge of 0.75% will be charged on purchases of
$1,000,000 or more of Class A or Class D shares by certain employer sponsored
retirement or savings plans.

No initial sales charge applies to Class A or Class D shares that you buy
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions.

A reduced or waived sales charge on a purchase of Class A or Class D shares may
apply for:

- Purchases under a RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION or LETTER OF INTENT.

- Merrill Lynch Blueprint(SM) Program participants.

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 19
<PAGE> 21
[YOUR ACCOUNT ICON] YOUR ACCOUNT

- TMA(SM) Managed Trusts.

- Certain Merrill Lynch investment or central asset accounts.

- Certain employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans.

- Purchases using proceeds from the sale of certain Merrill Lynch
closed-end funds under certain circumstances.

- Certain investors, including directors or trustees of Merrill Lynch
mutual funds and Merrill Lynch employees.

- Certain Merrill Lynch fee-based programs.

Only certain investors are eligible to buy Class A shares. Your Financial
Consultant can help you determine whether you are eligible to buy Class A shares
or to participate in any of these programs.

If you decide to buy shares under the initial sales charge alternative and you
are eligible to buy both Class A and Class D shares, you should buy Class A
since Class D shares are subject to an account maintenance fee, while Class A
shares are not.

If you redeem Class A or Class D shares and within 30 days buy new shares of the
same class, you will not pay a sales charge on the new purchase amount. The
amount eligible for this "Reinstatement Privilege" may not exceed the amount of
your redemption proceeds. To exercise the privilege, contact your Merrill Lynch
Financial Consultant or the Fund's Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER-FUND.

CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES -- DEFERRED SALES CHARGE OPTIONS

If you select Class B or Class C shares, you do not pay an initial sales charge
at the time of purchase. However, if you redeem your Class B shares within four
years after purchase, or your Class C shares within one year after purchase, you
may be required to pay a deferred sales charge. You will also pay distribution
fees of 0.75% and account maintenance fees of 0.25% each year under distribution
plans that the Fund has adopted under Rule 12b-1. Because these fees are paid
out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees increase the
cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying an initial sales
charge. The Distributor uses the money that it receives from the deferred sales
charges and the distribution fees to cover the costs of marketing, advertising
and compensating the Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or other securities
dealer who assists you in purchasing Fund shares.

20 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 22

CLASS B SHARES

If you redeem Class B shares within four years after purchase, you may be
charged a deferred sales charge. The amount of the charge gradually decreases as
you hold your shares over time, according to the following schedule:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS SINCE PURCHASE SALES CHARGE*
- ------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
0 - 1 4.00%
- ------------------------------------------
1 - 2 3.00%
- ------------------------------------------
2 - 3 2.00%
- ------------------------------------------
3 - 4 1.00%
- ------------------------------------------
4 AND THEREAFTER 0.00%
- ------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* The percentage charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the
shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption. Shares acquired
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions are not subject to a
deferred sales charge. Not all Merrill Lynch funds have identical deferred
sales charge schedules. If you exchange your shares for shares of another
fund, the higher charge will apply.

The deferred sales charge relating to Class B shares may be reduced or waived in
certain circumstances, such as:

- Certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other
retirement plan if you are over 59 1/2 years old.
- Redemption by certain eligible 401(a) and 401(k) plans, certain
related accounts, group plans participating in the Merrill Lynch
Blueprint Program and certain retirement plan rollovers.
- Redemption in connection with participation in certain Merrill
Lynch fee-based programs.
- Withdrawals resulting from shareholder death or disability as
long as the waiver request is made within one year of death or
disability or, if later, reasonably promptly following
completion of probate.
- Withdrawals resulting from involuntary termination of an account
in which Fund shares are held.
- Withdrawal through the Merrill Lynch Systematic Withdrawal Plan
of up to 10% per year of your Class B or Class C account value
at the time the plan is established.

Your Class B shares convert automatically into Class D shares approximately
eight years after purchase. Any Class B shares received through reinvestment

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 21
<PAGE> 23
[YOUR ACCOUNT ICON] YOUR ACCOUNT

of dividends or distributions paid on converting shares will also convert at
that time. Class D shares are subject to lower annual expenses than Class B
shares. The conversion of Class B to Class D shares is not a taxable event for
federal income tax purposes.

Different conversion schedules apply to Class B shares of different Merrill
Lynch mutual funds. For example, Class B shares of a fixed-income fund convert
approximately ten years after purchase compared to approximately eight years for
equity funds. If you acquire your Class B shares in an exchange from another
fund with a shorter conversion schedule, the Fund's eight year conversion
schedule will apply. If you exchange your Class B shares in the Fund for Class B
shares of a fund with a longer conversion schedule, the other fund's conversion
schedule will apply. The length of time that you hold both the original and
exchanged Class B shares in both funds will count toward the conversion
schedule. The conversion schedule may be modified in certain other cases as
well.

CLASS C SHARES

If you redeem Class C shares within one year after purchase, you may be charged
a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. The charge will apply to the lesser of the
original cost of the shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption.
You will not be charged a deferred sales charge when you redeem shares that you
acquire through reinvestment of Fund dividends or distributions. The deferred
sales charge relating to Class C shares may be reduced or waived in connection
with involuntary termination of an account in which Fund shares are held,
withdrawals through the Merrill Lynch systematic withdrawal plan and purchases
using proceeds from the sale of a certain Merrill Lynch closed-end fund under
certain circumstances.

Class C shares do not offer a conversion privilege.

HOW TO BUY, SELL, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The chart below summarizes how to buy, sell, transfer and exchange shares
through Merrill Lynch or other securities dealers during the continuous offering
of the Fund's shares, which will begin immediately after the end of the
subscription offering. You may also buy shares through the Transfer Agent. To
learn more about buying shares through the Transfer Agent, call 1-800-MER-FUND.
Because the selection of a mutual fund involves many considerations, your
Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant may help you with this decision.

22 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 24

(The minimums for initial investments may be waived under
certain circumstances.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have your Merrill Lynch Financial The price of your shares is based on the next calculation
Consultant or securities dealer of net asset value after your order is placed. Any purchase
submit your purchase order orders placed prior to the close of business on the New
York Stock Exchange will be priced at the net asset value
determined that day.

Purchase orders placed after that time will be priced at
the net asset value determined on the next business day.
The Fund may reject any order to buy shares and may suspend
the sale of shares at any time. Merrill Lynch may charge a
processing fee to confirm a purchase. This fee is currently
$5.35.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or contact the Transfer Agent To purchase shares directly, call the Transfer Agent at
1-800-MER-FUND and request a purchase application. Mail the
completed purchase application to the Transfer Agent at the
address on the inside back cover of this Prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Add to Your Purchase additional shares The minimum investment for additional purchases is $50 for
Investment all accounts except that retirement plans have a minimum
additional purchase of $1.

(The minimums for additional purchases may be waived under
certain circumstances.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquire additional shares through All dividends and capital gains distributions are
the automatic dividend reinvestment automatically reinvested without a sales charge.
plan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participate in the automatic You may invest a specific amount on a periodic basis
investment plan through certain Merrill Lynch investment or central asset
accounts.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfer Shares to Transfer to a participating You may transfer your Fund shares only to another
Another Securities securities dealer securities dealer that has entered into an agreement with
Dealer Merrill Lynch. Certain shareholder services may not be
available for the transferred shares. You may only purchase
additional shares of funds previously owned before the
transfer. All future trading of these assets must be
coordinated by the receiving firm.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 23
<PAGE> 25
[YOUR ACCOUNT ICON] YOUR ACCOUNT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IF YOU WANT TO YOUR CHOICES INFORMATION IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Transfer Shares to Transfer to a non-participating You must either:
Another Securities securities dealer - Transfer your shares to an account with the Transfer
Dealer (continued) Agent; or
- Sell your shares, paying any applicable CDSC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sell Your Shares Have your Merrill Lynch Financial The price of your shares is based on the next calculation
Consultant or securities dealer of net asset value after your order is placed. For your
submit your sales order redemption request to be priced at the net asset value on
the day of your request, you must submit your request to
your dealer prior to that day's close of business on the
New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).
Any redemption request placed after that time will be
priced at the net asset value at the close of business on
the next business day. Dealers must submit redemption
requests to the Fund not more than thirty minutes after the
close of business on the New York Stock Exchange on the day
the request was received.

Securities dealers, including Merrill Lynch, may charge a
fee to process a redemption of shares. Merrill Lynch
currently charges a fee of $5.35. No processing fee is
charged if you redeem shares directly through the Transfer
Agent.

The Fund may reject an order to sell shares under certain
circumstances.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sell through the Transfer Agent You may sell shares held at the Transfer Agent by writing
to the Transfer Agent at the address on the inside back
cover of this prospectus. All shareholders on the account
must sign the letter and signatures must be guaranteed. If
you hold stock certificates, return the certificates with
the letter. The Transfer Agent will normally mail
redemption proceeds within seven days following receipt of
a properly completed request. If you make a redemption
request before the Fund has collected payment for the
purchase of shares, the Fund or the Transfer Agent may
delay mailing your proceeds. This delay will usually not
exceed ten days.

If you hold share certificates, they must be delivered to
the Transfer Agent before they can be converted. Check with
the Transfer Agent or your Merrill Lynch Financial
Consultant for details.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

24 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 26

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IF YOU WANT TO YOUR CHOICES INFORMATION IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Sell Shares Participate in the Fund's Systematic You can choose to receive systematic payments from your
Systematically Withdrawal Plan Fund account either by check or through direct deposit to
your bank account on a monthly or quarterly basis. If you
have a Merrill Lynch CMA(R), CBA(R) or Retirement Account
you can arrange for systematic redemptions of a fixed
dollar amount on a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual or annual basis, subject to certain conditions.
Under either method you must have dividends and other
distributions automatically reinvested. For Class B and C
shares your total annual withdrawals cannot be more than
10% per year of the value of your shares at the time your
plan is established. The deferred sales charge is waived
for systematic redemptions. Ask your Merrill Lynch
Financial Consultant for details.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Your Select the fund into which you want You can exchange your shares of the Fund for shares of many
Shares to exchange. Be sure to read that other Merrill Lynch mutual funds. You must have held the
fund's prospectus shares used in the exchange for at least 15 calendar days
before you can exchange to another fund.

Each class of Fund shares is generally exchangeable for
shares of the same class of another fund. If you own Class
A shares and wish to exchange into a fund in which you have
no Class A shares, you will exchange into Class D shares.

Some of the Merrill Lynch mutual funds impose a different
initial or deferred sales charge schedule. If you exchange
Class A or D shares for shares of a fund with a higher
initial sales charge than you originally paid, you will be
charged the difference at the time of exchange. If you
exchange Class B shares for shares of a fund with a
different deferred sales charge schedule, the higher
schedule will apply. The time you hold Class B or C shares
in both funds will count when determining your holding
period for calculating a deferred sales charge at
redemption. If you exchange Class A or D shares for money
market fund shares, you will receive Class A shares of
Summit Cash Reserves Fund. Class B or C shares of the Fund
will be exchanged for Class B shares of Summit.

Although there is currently no limit on the number of
exchanges that you can make, the exchange privilege may be
modified or terminated at any time in the future.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 25
<PAGE> 27
[YOUR ACCOUNT ICON] YOUR ACCOUNT

NET ASSET VALUE -- the market value of the Fund's total assets after deducting
liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding.

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When you buy shares, you pay the NET ASSET VALUE, plus any applicable sales
charge. This is the offering price. Shares are also redeemed at their net asset
value, minus any applicable deferred sales charge. The Fund calculates its net
asset value (generally by using market quotations) each day the New York Stock
Exchange is open, after the close of business on the Exchange (the Exchange
generally closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The net asset value used in
determining your price is the next one calculated after your purchase or
redemption order is placed. Foreign securities owned by the Fund may trade on
weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares. As a result, the
Fund's net asset value may change on days when you will not be able to purchase
or redeem the Fund's shares.

Generally, Class A shares will have the highest net asset value because that
class has the lowest expenses, and Class D shares will have a higher net asset
value than Class B or Class C shares. Also dividends paid on Class A and Class D
shares will generally be higher than dividends paid on Class B and Class C
shares because Class A and Class D shares have lower expenses.

PARTICIPATION IN MERRILL LYNCH FEE-BASED PROGRAMS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you participate in certain fee-based programs offered by Merrill Lynch, you
may be able to buy Class A shares at net asset value, including by exchanges
from other share classes. Sales charges on the shares being exchanged may be
reduced or waived under certain circumstances.

You generally cannot transfer shares held through a fee-based program into
another account. Instead, you will have to redeem your shares held through the
program and purchase shares of another class, which may be subject to
distribution and account maintenance fees. This may be a taxable event and you
will pay any applicable sales charges.

If you leave one of these programs, your shares may be redeemed or automatically
exchanged into another class of Fund shares or into a money market fund. The
class you receive may be the class you originally owned when you entered the
program, or in certain cases, a different class. If the exchange is into Class B
shares, the period before conversion to Class D shares may be modified. Any
redemption or exchange will be at net asset value. However, if you participate
in the program for less than a specified period, you may be charged a fee in
accordance with the terms of the program.

26 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 28

DIVIDENDS -- ordinary income and capital gains paid to shareholders. Dividends
may be reinvested in additional Fund shares as they are paid.

"BUYING A DIVIDEND"

Unless your investment is in a tax-deferred account, you may want to avoid
buying shares shortly before the Fund pays a dividend. The reason? If you buy
shares when a fund has realized but not yet distributed income or capital gains,
you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the
price back in the form of a taxable dividend. Before investing you may want to
consult your tax adviser.

Details about these features and the relevant charges are included in the client
agreement for each fee-based program and are available from your Merrill Lynch
Financial Consultant.

DIVIDENDS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fund will distribute any net investment income and any net realized long or
short term capital gains annually. The Fund may also pay a special distribution
at the end of the calendar year to comply with Federal tax requirements. If your
account is with Merrill Lynch and you would like to receive DIVIDENDS in cash,
contact your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant. If your account is with the
Transfer Agent and you would like to receive dividends in cash, contact the
Transfer Agent.

You will pay tax on dividends from the Fund whether you receive them in cash or
additional shares. If you redeem Fund shares or exchange them for shares of
another fund, any gain on the transaction may be subject to tax. The Fund
intends to make distributions that will either be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains. Capital gain dividends are generally taxed at different rates
than ordinary income dividends. Whether gain from the sale of Fund assets is
taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or capital gains depends on the length
of time the Fund has held the assets sold.

If you are neither a lawful permanent resident nor a citizen of the U.S. or if
you are a foreign entity, the Fund's ordinary income dividends (which include
distributions of net short-term capital gains) will generally be subject to a
30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies.

Dividends and interest received by the Fund may give rise to withholding and
other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes.

By law, the Fund must withhold 31% of your dividends and proceeds if you have
not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number.

This section summarizes some of the consequences under current Federal tax law
of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice.
Consult your personal tax adviser about the potential tax consequences of an
investment in the Fund under all applicable tax laws.

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 27
<PAGE> 29

Management of the Fund [MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND ICON]

MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Merrill Lynch Asset Management, the Fund's Manager, manages the Fund's
investments and its business operations under the overall supervision of the
Fund's Board of Directors. The Manager has the responsibility for making all
investment decisions for the Fund. The Manager has a sub-advisory agreement with
Merrill Lynch Asset Management U.K. Limited, an affiliate, under which the
Manager may pay a fee for services it receives. The Fund pays the Manager a fee
at the annual rate of 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Merrill Lynch Asset Management is part of the Asset Management Group, which had
approximately $523 billion in investment company and other portfolio assets
under management as of April 1999. This amount includes assets managed for
Merrill Lynch affiliates.

Master/Feeder Structure

The Fund may in the future invest all of its assets in another mutual fund that
has the same investment objective and fundamental policies as the Fund. All
portfolio investments would then be made at the level of the underlying mutual
fund and the Fund's investment results would correspond directly to that fund's
investment results. This type of mutual fund structure is sometimes referred to
as a "master/feeder" structure. If other entities also invest in the underlying
fund, this could enable the fund to realize economies of scale by investing
through an entity with more assets (the underlying fund). However, there are
additional costs involved in operating a "master/ feeder" structure. If these
additional costs are not offset as a result of economies of scale, it is
possible that the Fund's expenses would increase rather than decrease if it
converts to this structure. The Fund's Board of Directors has the authority to
make the change to a "master/feeder" structure without first holding a vote of
the Fund's shareholders if they believe it is in the best interests of the Fund
to do so.

A NOTE ABOUT YEAR 2000

Many computer systems were designed using only two digits to designate years.
These systems may not be able to distinguish the Year 2000 from the Year 1900
(commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem"). The Fund could be adversely
affected if the computer systems used by the Fund's management or other Fund
service providers do not properly address this problem before January 1, 2000.
The Fund's management expects to have addressed this problem before then, and
does not anticipate that the services it provides will be adversely affected.
The Fund's other service providers have told Fund

28 MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 30

management that they also expect to resolve the Year 2000 Problem, and the
Fund's management will continue to monitor the situation as the Year 2000
approaches. However, if the problem has not been fully addressed, the Fund could
be negatively affected. The Year 2000 Problem could also have a negative impact
on the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. This negative impact may
be greater for companies in foreign markets, since they may be less prepared for
the Year 2000 Problem than domestic companies and markets. If the companies in
which the Fund invests have Year 2000 Problems, the Fund's returns could be
adversely affected.

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC. 29
<PAGE> 31

(This page intentionally left blank)

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.
<PAGE> 32
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
POTENTIAL
INVESTORS

Open an account (two options).
1 2

MERRILL LYNCH TRANSFER AGENT
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
or SECURITIES DEALER FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
P.O. Box 45289
Advises shareholders on their Fund investments. Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289

Performs shareholder
recordkeeping and reporting services.

DISTRIBUTOR

MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR,
A DIVISION OF PRINCETON FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
P.O. Box 9081
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081

Arranges for the sale of Fund shares.

COUNSEL THE FUND CUSTODIAN

BROWN & WOOD LLP The Board of Directors THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
One World Trade Center oversees the Fund. GLOBAL SECURITIES SERVICES
New York, New York 10048-0557 4 Chase MetroTech Center, 18th Floor
Brooklyn, New York 11245
Provides legal advice to the Fund.
Holds the Fund's assets for safekeeping.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS INVESTMENT MANAGER

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
117 Campus Drive
Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6400 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
800 Scudders Mill Road
Audits the financial Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
statements of the Fund on behalf of
the shareholders. MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 9011
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011

TELEPHONE NUMBER
1-800-MER-FUND

Manages the Fund's day-to-day activities.
</TABLE>

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.

<PAGE> 33

[MORE INFORMATION ICON]
SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the Fund's
annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund's annual report you
will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year. You
may obtain these reports at no cost by calling 1-800-MER-FUND.

The Fund will send you one copy of each shareholder report and certain other
mailings, regardless of the number of Fund accounts you have. To receive
separate shareholder reports for each account, call your Merrill Lynch Financial
Consultant or write to the Transfer Agent at its mailing address. Include your
name, address, tax identification number and Merrill Lynch brokerage or mutual
fund account number. If you have any questions, please call your Merrill Lynch
Financial Consultant or the Transfer Agent at 1-800-MER- FUND.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains further information
about the Fund and is incorporated by reference (legally considered to be part
of this prospectus). You may request a free copy by writing the Fund at
Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 45289, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289
or by calling 1-800-MER-FUND.
Contact your Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant or the Fund, at the telephone
number or address indicated above, if you have any questions.
Information about the Fund (including the Statement of Additional Information)
can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington,
D.C. Call 1- 800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the public
reference room. This information is also available on the SEC's Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov and copies may be obtained upon payment of a duplicating fee
by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009.

YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CON-
TAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. NO ONE IS AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION
THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
Investment Company Act file #811-9299
Code #19059-06-99
(C) Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.

LOGO

June 18, 1999

(LOGO)
Merrill Lynch
Disciplined Equity
Fund, Inc.
<PAGE> 34

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.

P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 - Phone No. (609) 282-2800

------------------------

Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is a diversified,
open-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with
both capital appreciation and current income. The Fund will seek to achieve its
investment objective by investing primarily in income-producing common stocks of
companies that Fund management believes are likely to experience consistent
earnings growth over time. For more information on the Fund's investment
objectives and policies, see "Investment Objective and Policies."

Pursuant to the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing(SM) System, the Fund offers
four classes of shares, each with a different combination of sales charges,
ongoing fees and other features. The Merrill Lynch Select Pricing(SM) System
permits an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that the investor
believes is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of
time the investor expects to hold the shares and other relevant circumstances.
See "Purchase of Shares."

------------------------

This Statement of Additional Information of the Fund is not a prospectus
and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Fund, dated June
18, 1999 (the "Prospectus"), which has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and can be obtained, without charge, by
calling 1-800-637-3863 or by writing the Fund at the above address. The
Prospectus is incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional
Information, and this Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into the Prospectus.

------------------------

MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT -- MANAGER
MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR -- DISTRIBUTOR

------------------------

The date of this Statement of Additional Information is June 18, 1999.

<PAGE> 35

TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Investment Objective and Policies........................... 2
European Economic and Monetary Union ("EMU").............. 3
Derivatives............................................... 3
Convertible Securities.................................... 7
Warrants.................................................. 9
Other Investment Policies and Practices................... 9
Investment Restrictions................................... 11
Portfolio Turnover........................................ 13
Management of the Fund...................................... 14
Directors and Officers.................................... 14
Compensation of Directors................................. 15
Management and Advisory Arrangements...................... 16
Code of Ethics............................................ 17
Purchase of Shares.......................................... 17
Initial Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class A and Class D
Shares................................................. 18
Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class B and Class C
Shares................................................. 22
Distribution Plans........................................ 25
Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges...... 26
Redemption of Shares........................................ 27
Redemption................................................ 27
Repurchase................................................ 28
Reinstatement Privilege -- Class A and Class D Shares..... 28
Pricing of Shares........................................... 28
Determination of Net Asset Value.......................... 28
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage........................ 29
Transactions in Portfolio Securities...................... 29
Shareholder Services........................................ 31
Investment Account........................................ 31
Exchange Privilege........................................ 31
Fee-Based Programs........................................ 34
Retirement and Education Savings Plans.................... 34
Automatic Investment Plans................................ 34
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan...................... 34
Systematic Withdrawal Plans............................... 35
Dividends and Taxes......................................... 36
Dividends................................................. 36
Taxes..................................................... 36
Tax Treatment of Options and Futures Transactions......... 38
Special Rules for Certain Foreign Currency Transactions... 38
Performance Data............................................ 39
General Information......................................... 40
Description of Shares..................................... 40
Independent Auditors...................................... 41
Custodian................................................. 41
Transfer Agent............................................ 41
Legal Counsel............................................. 41
Reports to Shareholders................................... 41
Shareholder Inquiries..................................... 41
Additional Information.................................... 41
Independent Auditors' Report................................ 42
Statement of Assets and Liabilities......................... 43
</TABLE>

<PAGE> 36

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek both capital appreciation
and current income. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in income-producing common stocks of companies that Fund
management believes are likely to experience consistent earnings growth over
time. Fund management looks specifically for stocks that are experiencing
consistent earnings growth but whose market prices do not reflect that growth.
In other words, the Fund seeks to buy stocks that have a "growth" bias but that
Fund management believes are undervalued. There can be no assurance that the
investment objective of the Fund will be realized. The investment objective of
the Fund set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph is a fundamental
policy of the Fund which may not be changed without a vote of a majority of its
outstanding shares as defined below.

Fund management uses a disciplined approach in selecting portfolio
investments. Some of the factors Fund management will consider include
historical growth rate of earnings and dividends, the issuing company's
potential to generate cash flows, and the price/earnings multiple of the stock
relative to the market. Emphasis also will be given to companies having medium
to large stock market capitalizations ($1 billion or more).

Investment emphasis is on equities, primarily common stock and, to a lesser
extent, securities convertible into common stock, preferred stock and rights and
warrants to subscribe for common stock. The Fund generally will invest at least
65% of its total assets in equity securities. The Fund may invest in
non-convertible debt securities rated investment grade by a nationally
recognized statistical ratings organization and U.S. Government securities,
although it typically will not do so to a significant extent. The Fund may hold
assets in cash or cash equivalents and investment grade, short term securities,
including money market securities, in such proportions as, in the opinion of
Fund management, prevailing market or economic conditions warrant.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities of
foreign issuers with the foregoing characteristics. (Purchases of American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), however, are not subject to this restriction.)
Investments in securities of foreign entities and securities denominated in
foreign currencies involve risks not typically involved in domestic investment,
including fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, future foreign political and
economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other
foreign or United States governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such
investments. Since the Fund may invest in securities denominated or quoted in
currencies other than the United States dollar, changes in foreign currency
exchange rates may affect the value of investments in the portfolio and the
unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments insofar as the United
States investors are concerned. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates
relative to the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's
assets denominated in that currency and the Fund's yield on such assets. Foreign
currency exchange rates are determined by forces of supply and demand on the
foreign exchange markets. These forces are, in turn, affected by the
international balance of payments and other economic and financial conditions,
government intervention, speculation and other factors. Moreover, individual
foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States
economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation,
capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments
position.

With respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of
expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability
or diplomatic developments which could affect investment in those countries.
There may be less publicly available information about a foreign financial
instrument than about a United States instrument, and foreign entities may not
be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and
requirements comparable to those of United States entities. In addition, certain
foreign investments may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Foreign
financial markets, while growing in volume, have, for the most part,
substantially less volume than United States markets, and securities of many
foreign companies are less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities
of comparable domestic companies. The foreign markets also have different
clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been
times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions.
Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund
are uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The ability of the Fund to make
intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to
miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio
securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund
due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if the Fund
has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible
liability to the purchaser. Costs associated with transactions in foreign
securities are generally higher than with transactions in United States
securities.

2
<PAGE> 37

There is generally less government supervision and regulation of exchanges,
financial institutions and issuers in foreign countries than there is in the
United States.

The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers in the form of
ADRs, European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") or other securities convertible into
securities of foreign issuers. These securities may not necessarily be
denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be
converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust
company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign
corporation. EDRs are receipts issued in Europe which evidence a similar
ownership arrangement. Generally, ADRs, which are issued in registered form, are
designed for use in the United States securities markets, and EDRs, which are
issued in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. The
Fund may invest in unsponsored ADRs. The issuers of unsponsored ADRs are not
obligated to disclose material information in the United States and, therefore,
there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of
such ADRs.

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION ("EMU")

For a number of years, certain European countries have been seeking
economic unification that would, among other things, reduce barriers between
countries, increase competition among companies, reduce government subsidies in
certain industries, and reduce or eliminate currency fluctuations among these
European countries. The Treaty on European Union (the "Maastricht Treaty") seeks
to set out a framework for the European Economic and Monetary Union ("EMU")
among the countries that comprise the European Union ("EU"). EMU established a
single common European currency (the "euro") that was introduced on January 1,
1999 and is expected to replace the existing national currencies of all EMU
participants by July 1, 2002. EMU took effect for the initial EMU participants
on January 1, 1999. Certain securities issued in participating EU countries
(beginning with government and corporate bonds) were redenominated in the euro,
and are listed, traded, and make dividend and other payments only in euros.

No assurance can be given that EMU will take effect, that the changes
planned for the EU can be successfully implemented, or that these changes will
result in the economic and monetary unity and stability intended. There is a
possibility that EMU will not be completed, or will be completed but then
partially or completely unwound. Because any participating country may opt out
of EMU within the first three years, it is also possible that a significant
participant could choose to abandon EMU, which could diminish its credibility
and influence. Any of these occurrences could have adverse effects on the
markets of both participating and non-participating countries, including sharp
appreciation or depreciation of participants' national currencies and a
significant increase in exchange rate volatility, a resurgence in economic
protectionism, an undermining of confidence in the European markets, an
undermining of European economic stability, the collapse or slowdown of the
drive toward European economic unity, and/or reversion of the attempts to lower
government debt and inflation rates that were introduced in anticipation of EMU.
Also, withdrawal from EMU by an initial participant could cause disruption of
the financial markets as securities redenominated in euros are transferred back
into that country's national currency, particularly if the withdrawing country
is a major economic power. Such developments could have an adverse impact on the
Fund's investments in Europe generally or in specific countries participating in
EMU. Gains or losses from euro conversion may be taxable to Fund shareholders
under foreign or, in certain limited circumstances, U.S. tax laws.

DERIVATIVES

The Fund may use instruments referred to as "Derivatives." Derivatives are
financial instruments the value of which is derived from another security, a
commodity (such as gold or oil) or an index (a measure of value or rates, such
as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index or the prime lending rate). Derivatives allow
the Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk to which the Fund is exposed
more quickly and efficiently than transactions in other types of instruments.

Hedging. The Fund may use Derivatives for hedging purposes. Hedging is a
strategy in which a Derivative is used to offset the risk that other Fund
holdings may decrease in value. Losses on the other investment may be
substantially reduced by gains on a Derivative that reacts in an opposite manner
to market movements. While hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or
eliminate gains if the market moves in a different manner than anticipated by
the Fund or if the cost of the Derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge.
Hedging also involves the risk that changes in the value of the Derivative will
not match those of the

3
<PAGE> 38

holdings being hedged as expected by the Fund, in which case any losses on the
holdings being hedged may not be reduced.

The Fund may use the following types of derivative instruments and trading
strategies:

Indexed Securities

The Fund may invest in securities the potential return of which is based on
an index. As an illustration, the Fund may invest in a debt security that pays
interest based on the current value of an interest rate index, such as the prime
rate. The Fund may also invest in a debt security which returns principal at
maturity based on the level of a securities index or a basket of securities, or
based on the relative changes of two indices. Indexed securities involve credit
risk, and certain indexed securities may involve leverage risk, liquidity risk,
and currency risk. The Fund may invest in indexed securities for hedging
purposes only. When used for hedging purposes, indexed securities involve
correlation risk.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices

Purchasing Put Options. The Fund may purchase put options on securities
held in its portfolio or securities or interest rate indices which are
correlated with securities held in its portfolio. When the Fund purchases a put
option, in consideration for an up front payment (the "option premium") the Fund
acquires a right to sell to another party specified securities owned by the Fund
at a specified price (the "exercise price") on or before a specified date (the
"expiration date"), in the case of an option on securities, or to receive from
another party a payment based on the amount a specified securities index
declines below a specified level on or before the expiration date, in the case
of an option on a securities index. The purchase of a put option limits the
Fund's risk of loss in the event of a decline in the market value of the
portfolio holdings underlying the put option prior to the option's expiration
date. If the market value of the portfolio holdings associated with the put
option increases rather than decreases, however, the Fund will lose the option
premium and will consequently realize a lower return on the portfolio holdings
than would have been realized without the purchase of the put. Purchasing a put
option may involve correlation risk, and may also involve liquidity and credit
risk.

Purchasing Call Options. The Fund may also purchase call options on
securities it intends to purchase or securities or interest rate indices, which
are correlated with the types of securities it intends to purchase. When the
Fund purchases a call option, in consideration for the option premium the Fund
acquires a right to purchase from another party specified securities at the
exercise price on or before the expiration date, in the case of an option on
securities, or to receive from another party a payment based on the amount a
specified securities index increases beyond a specified level on or before the
expiration date, in the case of an option on a securities index. The purchase of
a call option may protect the Fund from having to pay more for a security as a
consequence of increases in the market value for the security during a period
when the Fund is contemplating its purchase, in the case of an option on a
security, or attempting to identify specific securities in which to invest in a
market the Fund believes to be attractive, in the case of an option on an index
(an "anticipatory hedge"). In the event the Fund determines not to purchase a
security underlying a call option, however, the Fund may lose the entire option
premium. Purchasing a call option involves correlation risk, and may also
involve liquidity and credit risk.

The Fund is also authorized to purchase put or call options in connection
with closing out put or call options it has previously sold.

Writing Call Options. The Fund may write (i.e., sell) call options on
securities held in its portfolio or securities indices the performance of which
correlates with securities held in its portfolio. When the Fund writes a call
option, in return for an option premium, the Fund gives another party the right
to buy specified securities owned by the Fund at the exercise price on or before
the expiration date, in the case of an option on securities, or agrees to pay to
another party an amount based on any gain in a specified securities index beyond
a specified level on or before the expiration date, in the case of an option on
a securities index. The Fund may write call options to earn income, through the
receipt of option premiums. In the event the party to which the Fund has written
an option fails to exercise its rights under the option because the value of the
underlying securities is less than the exercise price, the Fund will partially
offset any decline in the value of the underlying

4
<PAGE> 39

securities through the receipt of the option premium. By writing a call option,
however, the Fund limits its ability to sell the underlying securities, and
gives up the opportunity to profit from any increase in the value of the
underlying securities beyond the exercise price, while the option remains
outstanding. Writing a call option may involve correlation risk.

The Fund is also authorized to sell call or put options in connection with
closing out call or put options it has previously purchased.

Other than with respect to closing transactions, the Fund will only write
call or put options that are "covered." A call or put option will be considered
covered if the Fund has segregated assets with respect to such option in the
manner described in "Risk Factors in Derivatives" below. A call option will also
be considered covered if the Fund owns the securities it would be required to
deliver upon exercise of the option (or, in the case of option on a securities
index, securities which substantially correlate with the performance of such
index) or owns a call option, warrant or convertible instrument which is
immediately exercisable for, or convertible into, such security.

Types of Options. The Fund may engage in transactions in options on
securities or securities indices on exchanges and in the over-the-counter
("OTC") markets. In general, exchange-traded options have standardized exercise
prices and expiration dates and require the parties to post margin against their
obligations, and the performance of the parties' obligations in connection with
such options is guaranteed by the exchange or a related clearing corporation.
OTC options have more flexible terms negotiated between the buyer and the
seller, but generally do not require the parties to post margin and are subject
to greater credit risk. OTC options also involve greater liquidity risk. See
"Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC
Derivatives" below.

Futures

The Fund may engage in transactions in futures and options thereon. Futures
are standardized, exchange-traded contracts which obligate a purchaser to take
delivery, and a seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a
specified future date at a specified price. No price is paid upon entering into
a futures contract. Rather, upon purchasing or selling a futures contract the
Fund is required to deposit collateral ("margin") equal to a percentage
(generally less than 10%) of the contract value. Each day thereafter until the
futures position is closed, the Fund will pay additional margin representing any
loss experienced as a result of the futures position the prior day or be
entitled to a payment representing any profit experienced as a result of the
futures position the prior day. Futures involve substantial leverage risk.

The sale of a futures contract limits the Fund's risk of loss through a
decline in the market value of portfolio holdings correlated with the futures
contract prior to the futures contract's expiration date. In the event the
market value of the portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract
increases rather than decreases, however, the Fund will realize a loss on the
futures position and a lower return on the portfolio holdings than would have
been realized without the purchase of the futures contract.

The purchase of a futures contract may protect the Fund from having to pay
more for securities as a consequence of increases in the market value for such
securities during a period when the Fund was attempting to identify specific
securities in which to invest in a market the Fund believes to be attractive. In
the event that such securities decline in value or the Fund determines not to
complete an anticipatory hedge transaction relating to a futures contract,
however, the Fund may realize a loss relating to the futures position.

The Fund will limit transactions in futures and options on futures to
financial futures contracts (i.e., contracts for which the underlying asset is a
currency or securities or interest rate index) purchased or sold for hedging
purposes (including anticipatory hedges). The Fund will further limit
transactions in futures and options on futures to the extent necessary to
prevent the Fund from being deemed a "commodity pool" under regulations of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

5
<PAGE> 40

Risk Factors in Derivatives

Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including:

Credit risk -- the risk that the counterparty on a Derivative
transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation to the Fund.

Currency risk -- the risk that changes in the exchange rate between
two currencies will adversely affect the value (in U.S. dollar terms) of an
investment.

Leverage risk -- the risk associated with certain types of investments
or trading strategies (such as borrowing money to increase the amount of
investments) that relatively small market movements may result in large
changes in the value of an investment. Certain investments or trading
strategies that involve leverage can result in losses that greatly exceed
the amount originally invested.

Liquidity Risk -- the risk that certain securities may be difficult or
impossible to sell at the time that the seller would like or at the price
that the seller believes the security is currently worth.

Use of Derivatives for hedging purposes involves correlation risk. If the
value of the Derivative moves more or less than the value of the hedged
instruments the Fund will experience a gain or loss which will not be completely
offset by movements in the value of the hedged instruments.

The Fund intends to enter into transactions involving Derivatives only if
there appears to be a liquid secondary market for such instruments or, in the
case of illiquid instruments traded in OTC transactions, such instruments
satisfy the criteria set forth below under "Additional Risk Factors of OTC
Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives." However, there can be
no assurance that, at any specific time, either a liquid secondary market will
exist for a Derivative or the Fund will otherwise be able to sell such
instrument at an acceptable price. It may therefore not be possible to close a
position in a Derivative without incurring substantial losses, if at all.

Certain transactions in Derivatives (such as futures transactions or sales
of put options) involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to
potential losses, which exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. When
the Fund engages in such a transaction, the Fund will deposit in a segregated
account at its custodian liquid securities with a value at least equal to the
Fund's exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to the transaction (as calculated
pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission). Such
segregation will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its
obligations with respect to the transaction, but will not limit the Fund's
exposure to loss.

Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC
Derivatives

Certain Derivatives traded in OTC markets, including indexed securities,
swaps and OTC options, involve substantial liquidity risk. The absence of
liquidity may make it difficult or impossible for the Fund to sell such
instruments promptly at an acceptable price. The absence of liquidity may also
make it more difficult for the Fund to ascertain a market value for such
instruments. The Fund will therefore acquire illiquid OTC instruments (i) if the
agreement pursuant to which the instrument is purchased contains a formula price
at which the instrument may be terminated or sold, or (ii) for which the Manager
anticipates the Fund can receive on each business day at least two independent
bids or offers, unless a quotation from only one dealer is available, in which
case that dealer's quotation may be used.

Because Derivatives traded in OTC markets are not guaranteed by an exchange
or clearing corporation and generally do not require payment of margin, to the
extent that the Fund has unrealized gains in such instruments or has deposited
collateral with its counterparty the Fund is at risk that its counterparty will
become bankrupt or otherwise fail to honor its obligations. The Fund will
attempt to minimize the risk that a counterparty will become bankrupt or
otherwise fail to honor its obligations by engaging in transactions in
Derivatives traded in OTC markets only with financial institutions which have
substantial capital or which have provided the Fund with a third-party guaranty
or other credit enhancement.

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<PAGE> 41

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

Convertible securities entitle the holder to receive interest payments paid
on corporate debt securities or the dividend preference on a preferred stock
until such time as the convertible security matures or is redeemed or until the
holder elects to exercise the conversion privilege. Synthetic convertible
securities may be either (i) a debt security or preferred stock that may be
convertible only under certain contingent circumstances or that may pay the
holder a cash amount based on the value of shares of underlying common stock
partly or wholly in lieu of a conversion right (a "Cash-Settled Convertible") or
(ii) a combination of separate securities chosen by the Manager in order to
create the economic characteristics of a convertible security, i.e., a fixed
income security paired with a security with equity conversion features, such as
an option or warrant (a "Manufactured Convertible").

The characteristics of convertible securities make them appropriate
investments for an investment company seeking a high total return from capital
appreciation and investment income. These characteristics include the potential
for capital appreciation as the value of the underlying common stock increases,
the relatively high yield received from dividend or interest payments as
compared to common stock dividends and decreased risks of decline in value
relative to the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income nature. As a
result of the conversion feature, however, the interest rate or dividend
preference on a convertible security is generally less than would be the case if
the securities were issued in nonconvertible form.

In analyzing convertible securities, the Manager will consider both the
yield on the convertible security and the potential capital appreciation that is
offered by the underlying common stock.

Convertible securities are issued and traded in a number of securities
markets. For the past several years, the principal markets have been the United
States, the Euromarket and Japan. Issuers during this period have included major
corporations domiciled in the United States, Japan, France, Switzerland, Canada
and the United Kingdom. Even in cases where a substantial portion of the
convertible securities held by the Fund are denominated in United States
dollars, the underlying equity securities may be quoted in the currency of the
country where the issuer is domiciled. With respect to convertible securities
denominated in a currency different from that of the underlying equity
securities, the conversion price may be based on a fixed exchange rate
established at the time the security is issued. As a result, fluctuations in the
exchange rate between the currency in which the debt security is denominated and
the currency in which the share price is quoted will affect the value of the
convertible security. As described below, the Fund is authorized to enter into
foreign currency hedging transactions in which it may seek to reduce the effect
of such fluctuations.

Apart from currency considerations, the value of convertible securities is
influenced by both the yield of nonconvertible securities of comparable issuers
and by the value of the underlying common stock. The value of a convertible
security viewed without regard to its conversion feature (i.e., strictly on the
basis of its yield) is sometimes referred to as its "investment value." To the
extent interest rates change, the investment value of the convertible security
typically will fluctuate. However, at the same time, the value of the
convertible security will be influenced by its "conversion value," which is the
market value of the underlying common stock that would be obtained if the
convertible security were converted. Conversion value fluctuates directly with
the price of the underlying common stock. If, because of a low price of the
common stock the conversion value is substantially below the investment value of
the convertible security, the price of the convertible security is governed
principally by its investment value.

To the extent the conversion value of a convertible security increases to a
point that approximates or exceeds its investment value, the price of the
convertible security will be influenced principally by its conversion value. A
convertible security will sell at a premium over the conversion value to the
extent investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock
while holding a fixed-income security. The yield and conversion premium of
convertible securities issued in Japan and the Euromarket are frequently
determined at levels that cause the conversion value to affect their market
value more than the securities' investment value.

Holders of convertible securities generally have a claim on the assets of
the issuer prior to the common stockholders but may be subordinated to other
debt securities of the same issuer. A convertible security may

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<PAGE> 42

be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in
the charter provision, indenture or other governing instrument pursuant to which
the convertible security was issued. If a convertible security held by the Fund
is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to redeem the security,
convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Certain
convertible debt securities may provide a put option to the holder which
entitles the holder to cause the security to be redeemed by the issuer at a
premium over the stated principal amount of the debt security under certain
circumstances.

As indicated above, synthetic convertible securities may include either
Cash-Settled Convertibles or Manufactured Convertibles. Cash-Settled
Convertibles are instruments that are created by the issuer and have the
economic characteristics of traditional convertible securities but may not
actually permit conversion into the underlying equity securities in all
circumstances. As an example, a private company may issue a Cash-Settled
Convertible that is convertible into common stock only if the company
successfully completes a public offering of its common stock prior to maturity
and otherwise pays a cash amount to reflect any equity appreciation.
Manufactured Convertibles are created by the Manager by combining separate
securities that possess one of the two principal characteristics of a
convertible security, i.e., fixed income ("fixed income component") or a right
to acquire equity securities ("convertible component"). The fixed income
component is achieved by investing in nonconvertible fixed income securities,
such as nonconvertible bonds, preferred stocks and money market instruments. The
convertibility component is achieved by investing in call options, warrants,
LEAPS, or other securities with equity conversion features ("equity features")
granting the holder the right to purchase a specified quantity of the underlying
stocks within a specified period of time at a specified price or, in the case of
a stock index option, the right to receive a cash payment based on the value of
the underlying stock index.

A Manufactured Convertible differs from traditional convertible securities
in several respects. Unlike a traditional convertible security, which is a
single security having a unitary market value, a Manufactured Convertible is
comprised of two or more separate securities, each with its own market value.
Therefore, the total "market value" of such a Manufactured Convertible is the
sum of the values of its fixed-income component and its convertibility
component.

More flexibility is possible in the creation of a Manufactured Convertible
than in the purchase of a traditional convertible security. Because many
corporations have not issued convertible securities, the Manager may combine a
fixed income instrument and an equity feature with respect to the stock of the
issuer of the fixed income instrument to create a synthetic convertible security
otherwise unavailable in the market. The Manager may also combine a fixed income
instrument of an issuer with an equity feature with respect to the stock of a
different issuer when the Manager believes such a Manufactured Convertible would
better promote the Fund's objective than alternative investments. For example,
the Manager may combine an equity feature with respect to an issuer's stock with
a fixed income security of a different issuer in the same industry to diversify
the Fund's credit exposure, or with a U.S. Treasury instrument to create a
Manufactured Convertible with a higher credit profile than a traditional
convertible security issued by that issuer. A Manufactured Convertible also is a
more flexible investment in that its two components may be purchased separately
and, upon purchasing the separate securities, "combined" to create a
Manufactured Convertible. For example, the Fund may purchase a warrant for
eventual inclusion in a Manufactured Convertible while postponing the purchase
of a suitable bond to pair with the warrant pending development of more
favorable market conditions.

The value of a Manufactured Convertible may respond differently to certain
market fluctuations than would a traditional convertible security with similar
characteristics. For example, in the event the Fund created a Manufactured
Convertible by combining a short-term U.S. Treasury instrument and a call option
on a stock, the Manufactured Convertible would likely outperform a traditional
convertible of similar maturity and which is convertible into that stock during
periods when Treasury instruments outperform corporate fixed income securities
and underperform during periods when corporate fixed-income securities
outperform Treasury instruments.

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<PAGE> 43

WARRANTS

Buying a warrant does not make the Fund a shareholder of the underlying
stock. The warrant holder has no right to dividends or votes on the underlying
stock. A warrant does not carry any right to assets of the issuer, and for this
reason investment in warrants may be more speculative than other equity-based
investments.

OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES

Temporary Investments. The Fund reserves the right, as a temporary
defensive measure, and without limitation, to hold in excess of 35% of its total
assets in cash or cash equivalents and investment grade, short-term securities
including money market securities ("Temporary Investments"). Under certain
adverse investment conditions, the Fund may restrict the markets in which its
assets will be invested and may increase the proportion of assets invested in
Temporary Investments. Investments made for defensive purposes will be
maintained only during periods in which the Manager determines that economic or
financial conditions are adverse for holding or being fully invested in equity
securities. A portion of the Fund normally will be held in Temporary Investments
in anticipation of investment in equity securities or to provide for possible
redemptions.

Illiquid or Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its
net assets in securities that lack an established secondary trading market or
otherwise are considered illiquid. Liquidity of a security relates to the
ability to dispose easily of the security and the price to be obtained upon
disposition of the security, which may be less than would be obtained for a
comparable more liquid security. Illiquid securities may trade at a discount
from comparable, more liquid investments. Investment of the Fund's assets in
illiquid securities may restrict the ability of the Fund to dispose of its
investments in a timely fashion and for a fair price as well as its ability to
take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with illiquidity
will be particularly acute where the Fund's operations require cash, such as
when the Fund redeems shares or pays dividends, and could result in the Fund
borrowing to meet short term cash requirements or incurring capital losses on
the sale of illiquid investments.

The Fund may invest in securities that are not registered ("restricted
securities") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"). Restricted securities may be sold in private placement transactions
between the issuers and their purchasers and may be neither listed on an
exchange nor traded in other established markets. In many cases, privately
placed securities may not be freely transferable under the laws of the
applicable jurisdiction or due to contractual restrictions on resale. As a
result of the absence of a public trading market, privately placed securities
may be less liquid and more difficult to value than publicly traded securities.
To the extent that privately placed securities may be resold in privately
negotiated transactions, the prices realized from the sales, due to illiquidity,
could be less than those originally paid by the Fund or less than their fair
market value. In addition, issuers whose securities are not publicly traded may
not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that
may be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. If any privately
placed securities held by the Fund are required to be registered under the
securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being resold, the Fund may
be required to bear the expenses of registration. Certain of the Fund's
investments in private placements may consist of direct investments and may
include investments in smaller, less seasoned issuers, which may involve greater
risks. These issuers may have limited product lines, markets or financial
resources, or they may be dependent on a limited management group. In making
investments in such securities, the Fund may obtain access to material nonpublic
information which may restrict the Fund's ability to conduct portfolio
transactions in such securities.

144A Securities. The Fund may purchase restricted securities that can be
offered and sold to "qualified institutional buyers" under Rule 144A under the
Securities Act. The Board has determined to treat as liquid Rule 144A securities
that are either freely tradable in their primary markets offshore or have been
determined to be liquid in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted
by the Fund's Board. The Board has adopted guidelines and delegated to the
Manager the daily function of determining and monitoring liquidity of restricted
securities. The Board, however, will retain sufficient oversight and be
ultimately responsible for the determinations. Since it is not possible to
predict with assurance exactly how this market for restricted

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<PAGE> 44

securities sold and offered under Rule 144A will continue to develop, the Board
will carefully monitor the Fund's investments in these securities. This
investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity
in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time
uninterested in purchasing these securities.

When Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions. The Fund may
purchase or sell securities on a delayed delivery basis or a when-issued basis
at fixed purchase terms. These transactions arise when securities are purchased
or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The
purchase will be recorded on the date the Fund enters into the commitment and
the value of the obligation will thereafter be reflected in the calculation of
the Fund's net asset value. The value of the obligation on the delivery date may
be more or less than its purchase price. A separate account of the Fund will be
established with its custodian consisting of liquid securities having a market
value at all times at least equal to the amount of the forward commitment.

Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts. The Fund may invest
in securities pursuant to repurchase agreements or purchase and sale contracts.
Repurchase agreements and purchase and sale contracts may be entered into only
with financial institutions which (i) have, in the opinion of Fund management,
substantial capital relative to the Fund's exposure, or (ii) have provided the
Fund with a third-party guaranty or other credit enhancement. Under a repurchase
agreement or a purchase and sale contract, the seller agrees, upon entering into
the contract with the Fund, to repurchase the security at a mutually agreed-upon
time and price in a specified currency, thereby determining the yield during the
term of the agreement. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from
market fluctuations during such period although it may be affected by currency
fluctuations. In the case of repurchase agreements, the price at which the
trades are conducted do not reflect accrued interest on the underlying
obligation; whereas, in the case of purchase and sale contracts, the prices take
into account accrued interest. Such agreements usually cover short periods, such
as under one week. Repurchase agreements may be construed to be collateralized
loans by the purchaser to the seller secured by the securities transferred to
the purchaser. In the case of a repurchase agreement, as a purchaser, the Fund
will require the seller to provide additional collateral if the market value of
the securities falls below the repurchase price at any time during the term of
the repurchase agreement; the Fund does not have the right to seek additional
collateral in the case of purchase and sale contracts. In the event of default
by the seller under a repurchase agreement construed to be a collateralized
loan, the underlying securities are not owned by the Fund but only constitute
collateral for the seller's obligation to pay the repurchase price. Therefore,
the Fund may suffer time delays and incur costs or possible losses in connection
with the disposition of the collateral. A purchase and sale contract differs
from a repurchase agreement in that the contract arrangements stipulate that the
securities are owned by the Fund. In the event of a default under such a
repurchase agreement or under a purchase and sale contract, instead of the
contractual fixed rate, the rate of return to the Fund shall be dependent upon
intervening fluctuations of the market value of such securities and the accrued
interest on the securities. In such event, the Fund would have rights against
the seller for breach of contract with respect to any losses arising from market
fluctuations following the failure of the seller to perform. While the substance
of purchase and sale contracts is similar to repurchase agreements, because of
the different treatment with respect to accrued interest and additional
collateral, Fund management believes that purchase and sale contracts are not
repurchase agreements as such term is understood in the banking and brokerage
community. The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in repurchase
agreements or purchase and sale contracts maturing in more than seven days
together with all other illiquid investments.

Lending of Portfolio Securities. Subject to the investment restrictions
set forth in the Prospectus and herein, the Fund may, from time to time, lend
securities from its portfolio to approved borrowers and receive therefor
collateral in cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the United States
Government. Such collateral will be maintained at all times in an amount equal
to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. The
purpose of such loans is to permit the borrower to use such securities for
delivery to purchasers when such borrower has sold short. If cash collateral is
received by the Fund, it is invested in short-term money market securities, and
a portion of the yield received in respect of such investment is retained by the
Fund. Alternatively, if securities are delivered to the Fund as collateral, the
Fund and the borrower negotiate a

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<PAGE> 45

rate for the loaned premium to be received by the Fund for lending its portfolio
securities. In either event, the total yield on the Fund's portfolio is
increased by loans of its portfolio securities. The Fund will have the right to
regain record ownership of loaned securities to exercise beneficial rights such
as voting rights, subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest or other
distributions. Such loans are terminable at any time, and the borrower, after
notice, will be required to return borrowed securities within five business
days. The Fund may pay reasonable finder's, administrative and custodial fees in
connection with such loans. With respect to the lending of portfolio securities,
there is the risk of failure by the borrower to return the securities involved
in such transactions.

Suitability. The economic benefit of an investment in the Fund depends
upon many factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Manager and its
affiliates. Because of its emphasis on foreign securities, the Fund should be
considered a vehicle for diversification and not as a balanced investment
program. The suitability for any particular investor of a purchase of shares in
the Fund will depend upon, among other things, such investor's investment
objectives and such investor's ability to accept the risks associated with
investing in foreign securities, including the risk of loss of principal.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund has adopted a number of fundamental and non-fundamental investment
policies and restrictions. The fundamental policies and restrictions set forth
below may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of
the Fund's outstanding voting securities (which for this purpose and under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), means
the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than
50% of the outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares). Unless otherwise provided, all references to the assets of
the Fund below are in terms of current market value. The Fund may not:

1. Make any investment inconsistent with the Fund's classification as
a diversified company under the Investment Company Act.

2. Invest more than 25% of its total assets, taken at market value at
the time of each investment, in the securities of issuers in any particular
industry (excluding the U.S. Government and its agencies and
instrumentalities).

3. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or
management. Investments by the Fund in wholly-owned investment entities
created under the laws of certain countries will not be deemed to be the
making of investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.

4. Purchase or sell real estate, except that, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, the Fund may invest in securities directly or indirectly
secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which
invest in real estate or interests therein.

5. Make loans to other persons, except that the acquisition of bonds,
debentures or other corporate debt securities and investment in government
obligations, commercial paper, pass-through instruments, certificates of
deposit, bankers acceptances, repurchase agreements, purchase and sale
contracts or any similar instruments shall not be deemed to be the making
of a loan, and except further that the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities, provided that the lending of portfolio securities may be made
only in accordance with applicable law and the guidelines set forth in the
Fund's Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, as they may
be amended from time to time.

6. Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate
applicable law.

7. Borrow money, except that the Fund (i) may borrow from banks (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its
total assets (including the amount borrowed), (ii) may borrow up to an
additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (iii) may obtain
such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio securities and (iv) may purchase securities on
margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Fund may not pledge
its assets other than to secure such borrowings or, to the extent permitted
by the Fund's investment policies as set forth in its Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from

11
<PAGE> 46

time to time, in connection with hedging transactions, short sales,
when-issued and forward commitment transactions and similar investment
strategies.

8. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund
technically may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act in
selling portfolio securities.

9. Purchase or sell commodities or contracts on commodities, except to
the extent that the Fund may do so in accordance with applicable law and
the Fund's Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, as they
may be amended from time to time, and without registering as a commodity
pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.

Under the non-fundamental investment restrictions, which may be changed by
the Board of Directors without shareholder approval, the Fund may not:

a. Purchase securities of other investment companies except to the
extent permitted by applicable law. Applicable law currently allows the
Fund to purchase the securities of other investment companies if
immediately thereafter, not more than (i) 3% of the total outstanding
voting stock of such company is owned by the Fund; (ii) 5% of the Fund's
total assets, taken at market value, would be invested in any one such
company; (iii) 10% of the Fund's total assets, taken at market value, would
be invested in such securities; and (iv) the Fund, together with other
investment companies having the same investment adviser and companies
controlled by such companies, owns not more than 10% of the total
outstanding stock of any one closed-end investment company. Investments by
the Fund in wholly-owned investment entities created under the laws of
certain countries will not be deemed an investment in other investment
companies. As a matter of policy, however, the Fund will not purchase
shares of any registered open-end investment company or registered unit
investment trust in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) (the "fund of
funds" provisions) of the Investment Company Act, at any time its shares
are owned by another investment company that is part of the same group of
investment companies as the Fund.

b. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except
to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Fund currently does not
intend to engage in short sales, except short sales "against the box."

c. Invest in securities which cannot be readily resold because of
legal or contractual restrictions or which cannot otherwise be marketed,
redeemed or put to the issuer of a third party, if at the time of
acquisition more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in such
securities. This restriction shall not apply to securities which mature
within seven days or securities which the Board of Directors of the Fund
has otherwise determined to be liquid pursuant to applicable law.
Securities purchased in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and determined to be liquid by the Board of Directors are not subject to
the limitations set forth in this investment restriction.

d. Notwithstanding fundamental investment restriction (7) above,
borrow money or pledge its assets, except that the Fund (a) may borrow from
a bank as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes or to
meet redemptions in amounts not exceeding 33 1/3% (taken at market value)
of its total assets and pledge its assets to secure such borrowings, (b)
may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of
purchases and sales of portfolio securities and (c) may purchase securities
on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. However, at the
present time, applicable law prohibits the Fund from purchasing securities
on margin. The deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation
margin in connection with financial futures contracts or options
transactions is not considered to be the purchase of a security on margin.
The purchase of securities while borrowings are outstanding will have the
effect of leveraging the Fund. Such leveraging or borrowing increases the
Fund's exposure to capital risk and borrowed funds are subject to interest
costs which will reduce net income. The Fund will not purchase securities
while borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

The staff of the Commission has taken the position that purchased
over-the-counter ("OTC") options and the assets used as cover for written OTC
options are illiquid securities. Therefore, the Fund has adopted an investment
policy pursuant to which it will not purchase or sell OTC options if, as a
result of any such

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<PAGE> 47

transaction, the sum of the market value of OTC options currently outstanding
that are held by the Fund, the market value of the underlying securities covered
by OTC call options currently outstanding that were sold by the Fund and margin
deposits on the Fund's existing OTC options on financial futures contracts
exceeds 15% of the net assets of the Fund, taken at market value, together with
all other assets of the Fund that are illiquid or are not otherwise readily
marketable. However, if the OTC option is sold by the Fund to a primary U.S.
Government securities dealer recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
and if the Fund has the unconditional contractual right to repurchase such OTC
option from the dealer at a predetermined price, then the Fund will treat as
illiquid such amount of the underlying securities as is equal to the repurchase
price less the amount by which the option is "in-the-money" (i.e., current
market value of the underlying securities minus the option's strike price). The
repurchase price with the primary dealers is typically a formula price which is
generally based on a multiple of the premium received for the option, plus the
amount by which the option is "in-the-money." This policy as to OTC options is
not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be amended by the Board of
Directors of the Fund without the approval of the Fund's shareholders. However,
the Fund will not change or modify this policy prior to the change or
modification by the Commission staff of its position.

In addition, as a non-fundamental policy which may be changed by the Board
of Directors and to the extent required by the Commission or its staff, the Fund
will, for purposes of fundamental investment restrictions (1) and (2), treat
securities issued or guaranteed by the government of any one foreign country as
the obligations of a single issuer.

As another non-fundamental policy, the Fund will not invest in securities
that are (a) subject to material legal restrictions on repatriation of assets or
(b) cannot be readily resold because of legal or contractual restrictions or
which are not otherwise readily marketable, including repurchase agreements and
purchase and sale contracts maturing in more than seven days, if, regarding all
such securities, more than 15% of its net assets, taken at market value would be
invested in such securities.

Because of the affiliation of Merrill Lynch with the Manager, the Fund is
prohibited from engaging in certain transactions involving Merrill Lynch or its
affiliates except for brokerage transactions permitted under the Investment
Company Act involving only usual and customary commissions or transactions
pursuant to an exemptive order under the Investment Company Act. See "Portfolio
Transactions and Brokerage." Without such an exemptive order the Fund would be
prohibited from engaging in portfolio transactions with Merrill Lynch or any of
its affiliates acting as principal.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

Generally, the Fund does not purchase securities for short-term trading
profits. However, the Fund may dispose of securities without regard to the time
they have been held when such actions, for defensive or other reasons, appear
advisable to the Manager in light of a change in circumstances in general
market, economic or financial conditions. As a result of its investment
policies, the Fund may engage in a substantial number of portfolio transactions.
Accordingly, while the Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate
should not exceed 100% under normal conditions, it is impossible to predict
portfolio turnover rates. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing
the lesser of the Fund's annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities
(exclusive of purchases or sales of securities whose maturities at the time of
acquisition were one year or less) by the monthly average value of the
securities in the portfolio during the year. A high portfolio turnover rate
involves certain tax consequences and correspondingly greater transaction costs
in the form of dealer spreads and brokerage commissions, which are borne
directly by the Fund.

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<PAGE> 48

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

The Board of Directors of the Fund consists of eight individuals, six of
whom are not "interested persons" of the Fund as defined in the Investment
Company Act (the "non-interested Directors"). The Directors are responsible for
the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various
duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the Investment
Company Act.

Information about the Directors, executive officers and the portfolio
manager of the Fund, including their ages and their principal occupations for at
least the last five years, is set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, the
address of each Director, executive officer and the portfolio manager is P.O.
Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011.

TERRY K. GLENN (58) -- President and Director (1)(2) -- Executive Vice
President of the Manager and Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM") (which terms as
used herein include their corporate predecessors) since 1983; Executive Vice
President and Director of Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services") since
1993; President of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc. ("PFD") since 1986 and
Director thereof since 1991; President of Princeton Administrators, L.P. since
1988.

DONALD CECIL (72) -- Director (2)(3) -- 1114 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, New York 10036. Special Limited Partner of Cumberland Associates (an
investment partnership) since 1982; Member of Institute of Chartered Financial
Analysts; Member and Chairman of Westchester County (N.Y.) Board of
Transportation.

M. COLYER CRUM (66) -- Director (2)(3) -- 104 Westcliff Road, Weston,
Massachusetts 02193. Currently James R. Williston Professor of Investment
Management Emeritus, Harvard Business School; James R. Williston Professor of
Investment Management, Harvard Business School, from 1971 to 1996; Director of
Cambridge Bancorp, Copley Properties, Inc. and Sun Life Assurance Company of
Canada.

EDWARD H. MEYER (72) -- Director (2)(3) -- 777 Third Avenue, New York, New
York 10017. President of Grey Advertising, Inc., since 1968, Chief Executive
Officer since 1970 and Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1972; Director
of The May Department Stores Company, Bowne & Co., Inc. (financial printers),
Harman International Industries, Inc. (stereo and audio equipment manufacturers)
and Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

JACK B. SUNDERLAND (70) -- Director (2)(3) -- P.O. Box 7, West Cornwall,
Connecticut 06796. President and Director of American Independent Oil Company,
Inc. (an energy company) since 1987; Member of Council on Foreign Relations
since 1971.

J. THOMAS TOUCHTON (60) -- Director (2)(3) -- Suite 3405, One Tampa City
Center, 201 North Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida 33062. Managing Partner of The
Witt Touchton Company and its predecessor, The Witt Co. (a private investment
partnership), since 1972; Trustee Emeritus of Washington and Lee University;
Director of TECO Energy, Inc. (an electric utility holding company).

FRED G. WEISS (57) -- Director (2)(3) -- 16410 Maddalena Place, Del Ray
Beach, Florida 33446. Managing Director of FGW Associates since 1997; Vice
President, Planning Investment, and Development of Warner Lambert Co. from 1979
to 1997.

ARTHUR ZEIKEL(66) -- Director(1)(2) -- 300 Woodland Avenue, Westfield, New
Jersey 07090. Chairman of the Manager and FAM from 1997 to 1999 and President
thereof from 1977 to 1999; Chairman of Princeton Services from 1997 to 1999 and
Director thereof from 1993 to 1999; President of Princeton Services from 1993 to
1997; Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") from
1990 to 1999.

14
<PAGE> 49

JOSEPH T. MONAGLE, JR. (50) -- Senior Vice President (1)(2) -- Senior Vice
President of the Manager and FAM since 1990; Department Head of the Global Fixed
Income Division of the Manager and FAM since 1997; Senior Vice President of
Princeton Services since 1993.

GEORGE H. BURWELL (37) -- Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager
(1)(2) -- First Vice President of the Manager and FAM since 1999; Senior
Portfolio Manager for equities of Delaware Investments Family of Funds from 1992
to 1999.

DONALD C. BURKE (38) -- Vice President and Treasurer (1)(2) -- Senior Vice
President and Treasurer of the Manager and FAM since 1999; Senior Vice President
and Treasurer of Princeton Services since 1999; Vice President of PFD since
1999; First Vice President of the Manager from 1997 to 1999; Vice President of
the Manager from 1990 to 1997; Director of Taxation of the Manager since 1990.

PHILLIP S. GILLESPIE (35) -- Secretary (1)(2) -- Attorney associated with
the Manager and FAM since 1998; Assistant General Counsel of Chancellor LGT
Asset Management, Inc. from 1997 to 1998; Senior Counsel and Attorney in the
Division of Investment Management and the Office of General Counsel at the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission from 1993 to 1997.
- ---------------
(1) Interested Person, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Fund.

(2) Such Director or officer is a director, trustee or officer of one or more
investment companies for which the Manager, or its affiliate FAM, acts as
investment adviser or manager.

(3) Member of the Fund's Audit and Nominating Committee, which is responsible
for the selection of the independent auditors and the selection and
nomination of non-interested Directors.

As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Directors
and officers of the Fund as a group (12 persons) owned an aggregate of less than
1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. At such date, Mr. Zeikel, a Director
of the Fund, Mr. Glenn, a Director and officer of the Fund and the other
officers of the Fund owned an aggregate of less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of common stock of ML & Co.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

The Fund pays each non-interested Director a fee of $3,500 per year plus
$500 per meeting attended. The Fund also compensates members of its Audit and
Nominating Committee (the "Committee"), which consists of all the non-interested
Directors, a fee of $2,500 per year. The Fund pays the Chairman of the Committee
an additional fee of $1,000 per year. The Fund reimburses each non-interested
Director for his out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at Board and
Committee meetings.

The following table shows the estimated compensation to be earned by the
non-interested Directors for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2000 and the
aggregate compensation paid to them from all registered investment companies
advised by the Manager and its affiliate, FAM ("MLAM/FAM-advised funds"), for
the calendar year ended December 31, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE
PENSION OR ESTIMATED COMPENSATION FROM
POSITION RETIREMENT BENEFITS ANNUAL FUND AND OTHER
WITH COMPENSATION ACCRUED AS PART OF BENEFITS UPON MLAM/FAM-
NAME FUND FROM FUND FUND EXPENSE RETIREMENT ADVISED FUNDS(1)
- ---- -------- ------------ ------------------- ------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald Cecil...................... Director $9,000 None None $277,808
M. Colyer Crum.................... Director $8,000 None None $116,600
Edward H. Meyer................... Director $8,000 None None $214,558
Jack B. Sunderland................ Director $8,000 None None $133,600
J. Thomas Touchton................ Director $8,000 None None $133,600
Fred G. Weiss..................... Director $8,000 None None $140,842
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1) The Directors serve on the boards of MLAM/FAM-advised funds as follows: Mr.
Cecil (34 registered investment companies consisting of 34 portfolios); Mr.
Crum (15 registered investment companies consisting of 15 portfolios); Mr.
Meyer (34 registered investment companies consisting of 34 portfolios); Mr.
Sunderland (18 registered investment companies consisting of 30 portfolios);
Mr. Touchton (18 registered investment companies consisting of 30
portfolios); and Mr. Weiss (15 registered investment companies consisting of
15 portfolios).

15
<PAGE> 50

Directors of the Fund may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset
value. See "Purchase of Shares -- Initial Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class A
and Class D Shares -- Reduced Initial Sales Charges -- Purchase Privilege of
Certain Persons."

MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY ARRANGEMENTS

Management Services. The Manager provides the Fund with investment
advisory and management services. Subject to the supervision of the Board of
Directors, the Manager is responsible for the actual management of the Fund's
portfolio and constantly reviews the Fund's holdings in light of its own
research analysis and that from other relevant sources. The responsibility for
making decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security rests with the
Manager. The Manager performs certain of the other administrative services and
provides all the office space, facilities, equipment and necessary personnel for
management of the Fund.

Management Fee. The Fund has entered into an investment management
agreement with the Manager (the "Management Agreement"), pursuant to which the
Manager receives for its services to the Fund monthly compensation at the annual
rate of 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Payment of Fund Expenses. The Management Agreement obligates the Manager
to provide investment advisory services and to pay all compensation of and
furnish office space for officers and employees of the Fund connected with
investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund,
as well as the fees of all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of
ML & Co. or any of its affiliates. The Fund pays all other expenses incurred in
the operation of the Fund, including among other things: taxes, expenses for
legal and auditing services, costs of printing proxies, stock certificates,
shareholder reports, prospectuses and statements of additional information,
except to the extent paid by Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, a division of PFD
(the "Distributor"); charges of the custodian and the transfer agent; expenses
of redemption of shares; Commission fees; expenses of registering the shares
under Federal and state securities laws; fees and expenses of unaffiliated
Directors; accounting and pricing costs (including the daily calculations of net
asset value); insurance; interest; brokerage costs; litigation and other
extraordinary or non-recurring expenses; and other expenses properly payable by
the Fund. Accounting services are provided for the Fund by the Manager and the
Fund reimburses the Manager for its costs in connection with such services. See
"Purchase of Shares -- Distribution Plans."

Organization of the Manager. The Manager is a limited partnership, the
partners of which are ML & Co., a financial services holding company and the
parent of Merrill Lynch, and Princeton Services. ML & Co. and Princeton Services
are "controlling persons" of the Manager as defined under the Investment Company
Act because of their ownership of its voting securities or their power to
exercise a controlling influence over its management or policies.

The Manager has also entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Merrill
Lynch Asset Management U.K. Limited ("MLAM U.K.") pursuant to which MLAM U.K.
provides investment advisory services to the Manager with respect to the Fund.
The following entities may be considered "controlling persons" of MLAM U.K.:
Merrill Lynch Europe PLC (MLAM U.K.'s parent), a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch
International Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch International, Inc.,
a subsidiary of ML & Co.

Duration and Termination. Unless earlier terminated as described herein,
the Management Agreement will remain in effect from year to year if approved
annually (a) by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund and (b) by a majority of the Directors who are
not parties to such contract or interested persons (as defined in the Investment
Company Act) of any such party. Such contracts are not assignable and may be
terminated without penalty on 60 days' written notice at the option of either
party or by vote of the shareholders of the Fund.

Transfer Agency Services. Financial Data Services, Inc. (the "Transfer
Agent"), a subsidiary of ML & Co., acts as the Fund's Transfer Agent pursuant to
a Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder Servicing Agency
Agreement (the "Transfer Agency Agreement"). Pursuant to the Transfer Agency
Agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for the issuance, transfer and
redemption of shares and the opening and maintenance of shareholder accounts.
Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, the

16
<PAGE> 51

Transfer Agent receives a fee of $11.00 per Class A or Class D account and
$14.00 per Class B or Class C account and is entitled to reimbursement for
certain transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Transfer
Agent under the Transfer Agency Agreement. Additionally, a $.20 monthly closed
account charge will be assessed on all accounts which close during the calendar
year. Application of this fee will commence the month following the month the
account is closed. At the end of the calendar year, no further fees will be due.
For purposes of the Transfer Agency Agreement, the term "account" includes a
shareholder account maintained directly by the Transfer Agent and any other
account representing the beneficial interest of a person in the relevant share
class on a recordkeeping system, provided the recordkeeping system is maintained
by a subsidiary of ML & Co.

Distribution Expenses. The Fund has entered into four separate
distribution agreements with the Distributor in connection with the continuous
offering of each class of shares of the Fund (the "Distribution Agreements").
The Distribution Agreements obligate the Distributor to pay certain expenses in
connection with the offering of each class of shares of the Fund. After the
prospectuses, statements of additional information and periodic reports have
been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders, the Distributor pays for
the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the
offering to dealers and investors. The Distributor also pays for other
supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. The Distribution
Agreements are subject to the same renewal requirements and termination
provisions as the Management Agreement described above.

CODE OF ETHICS

The Board of Directors of the Fund has adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule
17j-1 of the Investment Company Act which incorporates the Code of Ethics of the
Manager (together, the "Codes"). The Codes significantly restrict the personal
investing activities of all employees of the Manager and, as described below,
impose additional, more onerous, restrictions on fund investment personnel.

The Codes require that all employees of the Manager pre-clear any personal
securities investment (with limited exceptions, such as government securities).
The pre-clearance requirement and associated procedures are designed to identify
any substantive prohibition or limitation applicable to the proposed investment.
The substantive restrictions applicable to all employees of the Manager include
a ban on acquiring any securities in a "hot" initial public offering and a
prohibition from profiting on short-term trading in securities. In addition, no
employee may purchase or sell any security that at the time is being purchased
or sold (as the case may be), or to the knowledge of the employee is being
considered for purchase or sale, by any fund advised by the Manager.
Furthermore, the Codes provide for trading "blackout periods" which prohibit
trading by investment personnel of the Fund within periods of trading by the
Fund in the same (or equivalent) security (15 or 30 days depending upon the
transaction).

PURCHASE OF SHARES

Reference is made to "How to Buy, Sell, Transfer and Exchange Shares" in
the Prospectus.

The Fund offers four classes of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select
Pricing(SM) System: shares of Class A and Class D are sold to investors choosing
the initial sales charge alternatives and shares of Class B and Class C are sold
to investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives. Each Class A,
Class B, Class C or Class D share of the Fund represents an identical interest
in the investment portfolio of the Fund and has the same rights, except that
Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear the expenses of the ongoing account
maintenance fees (also known as service fees) and Class B and Class C shares
bear the expenses of the ongoing distribution fees and the additional
incremental transfer agency costs resulting from the deferred sales charge
arrangements. The contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs"), distribution fees
and account maintenance fees that are imposed on Class B and Class C shares, as
well as the account maintenance fees that are imposed on Class D shares, are
imposed directly against those classes and not against all assets of the Fund
and, accordingly, such charges do not affect the net asset value of any other
class or have any impact on investors choosing another sales charge option.
Dividends paid by the Fund for each class of shares are calculated in the same
manner at the same time and differ only to the extent that account maintenance
and

17
<PAGE> 52

distribution fees and any incremental transfer agency costs relating to a
particular class are borne exclusively by that class. Each class has different
exchange privileges. See "Shareholder Services -- Exchange Privilege."

Investors should understand that the purpose and function of the initial
sales charges with respect to the Class A and Class D shares are the same as
those of the CDSCs and distribution fees with respect to the Class B and Class C
shares in that the sales charges and distribution fees applicable to each class
provide for the financing of the distribution of the shares of the Fund. The
distribution-related revenues paid with respect to a class will not be used to
finance the distribution expenditures of another class. Sales personnel may
receive different compensation for selling different classes of shares.

The Merrill Lynch Select Pricing(SM) System is used by more than 50
registered investment companies advised by MLAM or FAM. Funds advised by MLAM or
FAM that utilize the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing(SM) System are referred to
herein as "Select Pricing Funds."

The Fund or the Distributor may suspend the continuous offering of the
Fund's shares of any class at any time in response to conditions in the
securities markets or otherwise and may thereafter resume such offering from
time to time. Neither the Distributor nor the dealers are permitted to withhold
placing orders to benefit themselves by a price change. Merrill Lynch may charge
its customers a processing fee (presently $5.35) to confirm a sale of shares to
such customers. Purchases made directly through the Transfer Agent are not
subject to the processing fee.

INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES -- CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES

Investors who prefer an initial sales charge alternative may elect to
purchase Class D shares or, if an eligible investor, Class A shares. Investors
choosing the initial sales charge alternative who are eligible to purchase Class
A shares should purchase Class A shares rather than Class D shares because there
is an account maintenance fee imposed on Class D shares. Investors qualifying
for significantly reduced initial sales charges may find the initial sales
charge alternative particularly attractive because similar sales charge
reductions are not available with respect to the deferred sales charges imposed
in connection with purchases of Class B or Class C shares. Investors not
qualifying for reduced initial sales charges who expect to maintain their
investment for an extended period of time also may elect to purchase Class A or
Class D shares, because over time the accumulated ongoing account maintenance
and distribution fees on Class B or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales
charge and, in the case of Class D shares, the account maintenance fee. Although
some investors who previously purchased Class A shares may no longer be eligible
to purchase Class A shares of other Select Pricing Funds, those previously
purchased Class A shares, together with Class B, Class C and Class D share
holdings, will count toward a right of accumulation which may qualify the
investor for reduced initial sales charge on new initial sales charge purchases.
In addition, the ongoing Class B and Class C account maintenance and
distribution fees will cause Class B and Class C shares to have higher expense
ratios, pay lower dividends and have lower total returns than the initial sales
charge shares. The ongoing Class D account maintenance fees will cause Class D
shares to have a higher expense ratio, pay lower dividends and have a lower
total return than Class A shares.

The term "purchase," as used in the Prospectus and this Statement of
Additional Information in connection with an investment in Class A and Class D
shares of the Fund, refers to a single purchase by an individual or to
concurrent purchases, which in the aggregate are at least equal to the
prescribed amounts, by an individual, his or her spouse and their children under
the age of 21 years purchasing shares for his, her or their own account and to
single purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single
trust estate or single fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is
involved. The term "purchase" also includes purchases by any "company," as that
term is defined in the Investment Company Act, but does not include purchases by
any such company that has not been in existence for at least six months or which
has no purpose other than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares of other
registered investment companies at a discount; provided, however, that it shall
not include purchases by any group of individuals whose sole organizational
nexus is that the participants therein are credit cardholders of a company,
policyholders of an insurance company, customers of either a bank or
broker-dealer or clients of an investment adviser.

18
<PAGE> 53

Eligible Class A Investors

Class A shares are offered to a limited group of investors and also will be
issued upon reinvestment of dividends on outstanding Class A shares. Investors
who currently own Class A shares, including participants in the Merrill Lynch
Blueprint(SM) Program, are entitled to purchase additional Class A shares of the
Fund in that account. Certain Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans,
including eligible 401(k) plans, may purchase Class A shares at net asset value
provided such plans meet the required minimum number of eligible employees or
required amount of assets advised by MLAM or any of its affiliates. Class A
shares are available at net asset value to corporate warranty insurance reserve
fund programs provided that the program has $3 million or more initially
invested in Select Pricing Funds. Also eligible to purchase Class A shares at
net asset value are participants in certain investment programs including
TMA(SM) Managed Trusts to which Merrill Lynch Trust Company provides
discretionary trustee services, collective investment trusts for which Merrill
Lynch Trust Company serves as trustee and certain purchases made in connection
with certain fee-based programs. In addition, Class A shares are offered at net
asset value to ML & Co. and its subsidiaries and their directors and employees
and to members of the Boards of MLAM/FAM-advised investment companies. Certain
persons who acquired shares of certain MLAM/FAM-advised closed-end funds in
their initial offerings who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of
their closed-end fund shares of common stock in shares of the Fund also may
purchase Class A shares of the Fund if certain conditions are met. In addition,
Class A shares of the Fund and certain other Select Pricing Funds are offered
at net asset value to shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund,
Inc. and, if certain conditions are met, to shareholders of Merrill Lynch
Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond
Fund, Inc. who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of certain of
their shares of common stock pursuant to a tender offer conducted by such funds
in shares of the Fund and certain other Select Pricing Funds.

The Distributor may reallow discounts to selected dealers and retain the
balance over such discounts. At times the Distributor may reallow the entire
sales charge to such dealers. Since securities dealers selling Class A and
Class D shares of the Fund will receive a concession equal to most of the sales
charge, they may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act.

Reduced Initial Sales Charges

Reinvested Dividends. No initial sales charges are imposed upon Class A
and Class D shares issued as a result of the automatic reinvestment of
dividends.

Right of Accumulation. Reduced sales charges are applicable through a
right of accumulation under which eligible investors are permitted to purchase
shares of the Fund subject to an initial sales charge at the offering price
applicable to the total of (a) the public offering price of the shares then
being purchased plus (b) an amount equal to the then current net asset value or
cost, whichever is higher, of the purchaser's combined holdings of all classes
of shares of the Fund and of any other Select Pricing Funds. For any such right
of accumulation to be made available, the Distributor must be provided at the
time of purchase, by the purchaser or the purchaser's securities dealer, with
sufficient information to permit confirmation of qualification. Acceptance of
the purchase order is subject to such confirmation. The right of accumulation
may be amended or terminated at any time. Shares held in the name of a nominee
or custodian under pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plans may
not be combined with other shares to qualify for the right of accumulation.

Letter of Intent. Reduced sales charges are applicable to purchases
aggregating $25,000 or more of the Class A or Class D shares of the Fund or any
Select Pricing Funds made within a 13-month period starting with the first
purchase pursuant to a Letter of Intent. The Letter of Intent is available only
to investors whose accounts are established and maintained at the Fund's
Transfer Agent. The Letter of Intent is not available to employee benefit plans
for which Merrill Lynch provides plan participant recordkeeping services. The
Letter of Intent is not a binding obligation to purchase any amount of Class A
or Class D shares; however, its execution will result in the purchaser paying a
lower sales charge at the appropriate quantity purchase level. A purchase not
originally made pursuant to a Letter of Intent may be included under a
subsequent Letter of

19
<PAGE> 54

Intent executed within 90 days of such purchase if the Distributor is informed
in writing of this intent within such 90-day period. The value of Class A and
Class D shares of the Fund and of other Select Pricing Funds presently held, at
cost or maximum offering price (whichever is higher), on the date of the first
purchase under the Letter of Intent, may be included as a credit toward the
completion of such Letter, but the reduced sales charge applicable to the amount
covered by such Letter will be applied only to new purchases. If the total
amount of shares does not equal the amount stated in the Letter of Intent
(minimum of $25,000), the investor will be notified and must pay, within 20 days
of the expiration of such Letter, the difference between the sales charge on the
Class A or Class D shares purchased at the reduced rate and the sales charge
applicable to the shares actually purchased through the Letter. Class A or Class
D shares equal to at least 5.0% of the intended amount will be held in escrow
during the 13-month period (while remaining registered in the name of the
purchaser) for this purpose. The first purchase under the Letter of Intent must
be at least 5.0% of the dollar amount of such Letter. If a purchase during the
term of such Letter would otherwise be subject to a further reduced sales charge
based on the right of accumulation, the purchaser will be entitled on that
purchase and subsequent purchases to the further reduced percentage sales charge
that would be applicable to a single purchase equal to the total dollar value of
the Class A or Class D shares then being purchased under such Letter, but there
will be no retroactive reduction of the sales charge on any previous purchase.

The value of any shares redeemed or otherwise disposed of by the purchaser
prior to termination or completion of the Letter of Intent will be deducted from
the total purchases made under such Letter. An exchange from the Summit Cash
Reserves Fund into the Fund that creates a sales charge will count toward
completing a new or existing Letter of Intent from the Fund.

Merrill Lynch Blueprint(SM) Program. Class D shares of the Fund are
offered to participants in the Merrill Lynch Blueprint(SM) Program
("Blueprint"). In addition, participants in Blueprint who own Class A shares of
the Fund may purchase additional Class A shares of the Fund through Blueprint.
The Blueprint program is directed to small investors, group IRAs and
participants in certain affinity groups such as credit unions, trade
associations and benefit plans. Investors placing orders to purchase Class A or
Class D shares of the Fund through Blueprint will acquire the Class A or Class
D shares at net asset value plus a sales charge calculated in accordance with
the Blueprint sales charge schedule (i.e., up to $300 at 4.25%, from $300.01 to
$5,000 at 3.25% plus $3.00, and $5,000.01 or more at the standard sales charge
rates disclosed in the Prospectus). In addition, Class A or Class D shares of
the Fund are being offered at net asset value plus a sales charge of 0.50% for
corporate or group IRA programs placing orders to purchase their Class A or
Class D shares through Blueprint. Services, including the exchange privilege,
available to Class A and Class D investors through Blueprint, however, may
differ from those available to other investors in Class A or Class D shares.

Class A and Class D shares are offered at net asset value to Blueprint
participants through the Merrill Lynch Directed IRA Rollover Program (the "IRA
Rollover Program") available from Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services, a
business unit of Merrill Lynch. The IRA Rollover Program is available to
custodian rollover assets from employer-sponsored retirement and savings plans
(as defined below) whose trustee and/or plan sponsor has entered into the IRA
Rollover Program.

Orders for purchases and redemptions of Class A or Class D shares of the
Fund may be grouped for execution purposes which, in some circumstances, may
involve the execution of such orders two business days following the day such
orders are placed. The minimum initial purchase price is $100, with a $50
minimum for subsequent purchases through Blueprint. There are no minimum initial
or subsequent purchase requirements for participants who are part of an
automatic investment plan. Additional information concerning purchases through
Blueprint, including any annual fees and transaction charges, is available from
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, The Blueprint(SM) Program,
P.O. Box 30441, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08989-0441.

TMA(SM) Managed Trusts. Class A shares are offered at net asset value to
TMA(SM) Managed Trusts to which Merrill Lynch Trust Company provides
discretionary trustee services.

Employee Access(SM) Accounts. Provided applicable threshold requirements
are met, either Class A or Class D shares are offered at net asset value to
Employee Access(SM) Accounts available through authorized

20
<PAGE> 55

employers. The initial minimum investment for such accounts is $500, except that
the initial minimum investment for shares purchased for such accounts pursuant
to the Automatic Investment Program is $50.

Employer-Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans and Certain Other
Arrangements. Certain employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and
certain other arrangements may purchase Class A or Class D shares at net asset
value, based on the number of employees or number of employees eligible to
participate in the plan, the aggregate amount invested by the plan in specified
investments and/or the services provided by Merrill Lynch to the plan.
Additional information regarding purchases by employer-sponsored retirement or
savings plans and certain other arrangements is available toll-free from Merrill
Lynch Business Financial Services at 1-800-237-7777.

Purchase Privilege of Certain Persons. Directors of the Fund, members of
the Boards of other MLAM/FAM-advised funds, ML & Co. and its subsidiaries (the
term "subsidiaries," when used herein with respect to ML & Co., includes MLAM,
FAM and certain other entities directly or indirectly wholly owned and
controlled by ML & Co.) and their directors and employees, and any trust,
pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for such persons, may purchase
Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value. The Fund realizes economies of
scale and reduction of sales-related expenses by virtue of the familiarity of
these persons with the Fund. Employees and directors or trustees wishing to
purchase shares of the Fund must satisfy the Fund's suitability standards.

Class D shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value, without a sales
charge, to an investor that has a business relationship with a Financial
Consultant who joined Merrill Lynch from another investment firm within six
months prior to the date of purchase by such investor, if the following
conditions are satisfied: first, the investor must advise Merrill Lynch that it
will purchase Class D shares of the Fund with proceeds from a redemption of
shares of a mutual fund that was sponsored by the Financial Consultant's
previous firm and was subject to a sales charge either at the time of purchase
or on a deferred basis; and, second, the investor must establish that such
redemption had been made within 60 days prior to the investment in the Fund and
the proceeds from the redemption had been maintained in the interim in cash or a
money market fund.

Class D shares of the Fund are also offered at net asset value, without a
sales charge, to an investor that has a business relationship with a Merrill
Lynch Financial Consultant and that has invested in a mutual fund sponsored by a
non-Merrill Lynch company for which Merrill Lynch has served as a selected
dealer and where Merrill Lynch has either received or given notice that such
arrangement will be terminated ("notice") if the following conditions are
satisfied: first, the investor must purchase Class D shares of the Fund with
proceeds from a redemption of shares of such other mutual fund and the shares of
such other fund were subject to a sales charge either at the time of purchase or
on a deferred basis; and, second, such purchase of Class D shares must be made
within 90 days after such notice.

Class D shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value, without a sales
charge, to an investor that has a business relationship with a Merrill Lynch
Financial Consultant and that has invested in a mutual fund for which Merrill
Lynch has not served as a selected dealer if the following conditions are
satisfied: first, the investor must advise Merrill Lynch that it will purchase
Class D shares of the Fund with proceeds from the redemption of shares of such
other mutual fund and that such shares have been outstanding for a period of no
less than six months; and, second, such purchase of Class D shares must be made
within 60 days after the redemption and the proceeds from the redemption must be
maintained in the interim in cash or a money market fund.

Closed-End Fund Investment Option. Class A shares of the Fund and certain
other Select Pricing Funds ("Eligible Class A Shares") are offered at net asset
value to shareholders of certain closed-end funds advised by FAM or MLAM who
purchased such closed-end fund shares prior to October 21, 1994 (the date the
Merrill Lynch Select Pricing(SM) System commenced operations) and wish to
reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of their closed-end fund shares of common
stock in Eligible Class A Shares, if the conditions set forth below are
satisfied. Alternatively, closed-end fund shareholders who purchased such
shares on or after October 21, 1994 and wish to reinvest the net proceeds from
a sale of their closed-end fund shares are offered Class A shares (if eligible
to buy Class A shares) or Class D shares of the Fund and other Select Pricing
Funds ("Eligible Class D Shares"), if the following conditions are met. First,
the sale of closed-end fund

21
<PAGE> 56

shares must be made through Merrill Lynch, and the net proceeds therefrom must
be immediately reinvested in Eligible Class A or Eligible Class D Shares.
Second, the closed-end fund shares must either have been acquired in the initial
public offering or be shares representing dividends from shares of common stock
acquired in such offering. Third, the closed-end fund shares must have been
continuously maintained in a Merrill Lynch securities account. Fourth, there
must be a minimum purchase of $250 to be eligible for the investment option.

Shareholders of certain MLAM/FAM-advised continuously offered closed-end
funds may reinvest at net asset value the net proceeds from a sale of certain
shares of common stock of such funds in shares of the Fund. Upon exercise of
this investment option, shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund,
Inc. will receive Class A shares of the Fund and shareholders of Merrill Lynch
Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund,
Inc. will receive Class D shares of the Fund, except that shareholders already
owning Class A shares of the Fund will be eligible to purchase additional Class
A shares pursuant to this option, if such additional Class A shares will be held
in the same account as the existing Class A shares and the other requirements
pertaining to the reinvestment privilege are met. In order to exercise this
investment option, a shareholder of one of the above-referenced continuously
offered closed-end funds (an "eligible fund") must sell his or her shares of
common stock of the eligible fund (the "eligible shares") back to the eligible
fund in connection with a tender offer conducted by the eligible fund and
reinvest the proceeds immediately in the designated class of shares of the Fund.
This investment option is available only with respect to eligible shares as to
which no Early Withdrawal Charge or CDSC (each as defined in the eligible fund's
prospectus) is applicable. Purchase orders from eligible fund shareholders
wishing to exercise this investment option will be accepted only on the day that
the related tender offer terminates and will be effected at the net asset value
of the designated class of the Fund on such day.

Acquisition of Certain Investment Companies. The public offering price of
Class D shares may be reduced to the net asset value per Class D share in
connection with the acquisition of the assets of or merger or consolidation with
a personal holding company or a public or private investment company. The value
of the assets or company acquired in a tax-free transaction may be adjusted in
appropriate cases to reduce possible adverse tax consequences to the Fund that
might result from an acquisition of assets having net unrealized appreciation
that is disproportionately higher at the time of acquisition than the realized
or unrealized appreciation of the Fund. The issuance of Class D shares for
consideration other than cash is limited to bona fide reorganizations, statutory
mergers or other acquisitions of portfolio securities that (i) meet the
investment objectives and policies of the Fund; (ii) are acquired for investment
and not for resale (subject to the understanding that the disposition of the
Fund's portfolio securities shall at all times remain within its control); and
(iii) are liquid securities, the value of which is readily ascertainable, which
are not restricted as to transfer either by law or liquidity of market (except
that the Fund may acquire through such transactions restricted or illiquid
securities to the extent the Fund does not exceed the applicable limits on
acquisition of such securities set forth under "Investment Objective and
Policies" herein).

Reductions in or exemptions from the imposition of a sales load are due to
the nature of the investors and/or the reduced sales efforts that will be needed
in obtaining such investments.

DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES -- CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES

Investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives should consider
Class B shares if they intend to hold their shares for an extended period of
time and Class C shares if they are uncertain as to the length of time they
intend to hold their assets in Select Pricing Funds.

The public offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors
choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives is the next determined net asset
value per share without the imposition of a sales charge at the time of
purchase. See "Pricing of Shares -- Determination of Net Asset Value" below.

Because no initial sales charges are deducted at the time of the purchase,
Class B and Class C shares provide the benefit of putting all of the investor's
dollars to work from the time the investment is made. The deferred sales charge
alternatives may be particularly appealing to investors that do not qualify for
the reduction in initial sales charges. Both Class B and Class C shares are
subject to ongoing account maintenance

22
<PAGE> 57

fees and distribution fees; however, the ongoing account maintenance and
distribution fees potentially may be offset to the extent any return is realized
on the additional funds initially invested in Class B or Class C shares. In
addition, Class B shares will be converted into Class D shares of the Fund after
a conversion period of approximately eight years, and thereafter investors will
be subject to lower ongoing fees.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charges -- Class B Shares

Class B shares that are redeemed within four years of purchase may be
subject to a CDSC at the rates set forth below charged as a percentage of the
dollar amount subject thereto. In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a
redemption, the calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the
lowest applicable rate being charged. The charge will be assessed on an amount
equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares
being redeemed. Accordingly, no CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset
value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no CDSC will be assessed on
shares derived from reinvestment of dividends. It will be assumed that the
redemption is first of shares held for over four years or shares acquired
pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and then of shares held longest during the
four-year period. A transfer of shares from a shareholder's account to another
account will be assumed to be made in the same order as a redemption.

The following table sets forth the Class B CDSC:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE
OF DOLLAR AMOUNT
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE SUBJECT TO CHARGE
-------------------------------- --------------------
<S> <C>
0-1............................................... 4.0%
1-2............................................... 3.0%
2-3............................................... 2.0%
3-4............................................... 1.0%
4 and thereafter.................................. None
</TABLE>

To provide an example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per
share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the third year after purchase, the net asset
value per share is $12 and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10
additional shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the investor makes
his or her first redemption of 50 shares (proceeds of $600), 10 shares will not
be subject to a CDSC because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the
remaining 40 shares, the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per
share and not to the increase in net asset value of $2 per share. Therefore,
$400 of the $600 redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 2.0% (the
applicable rate in the third year after purchase).

The Class B CDSC is waived on redemptions of shares in connection with
certain post-retirement withdrawals from an Individual Retirement Account
("IRA") or other retirement plan or following the death or disability (as
defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) of a shareholder
(including one who owns the Class B shares as joint tenant with his or her
spouse), provided the redemption is requested within one year of the death or
initial determination of disability, or if later, reasonably promptly following
completion of probate. The Class B CDSC may also be waived on redemptions of
shares by certain eligible 401(a) and eligible 401(k) plans and in connection
with certain group plans placing orders through the Merrill Lynch Blueprint(SM)
Program. The CDSC also may be waived for any Class B shares that are purchased
by eligible 401(k) or eligible 401(a) plans that are rolled over into a Merrill
Lynch or Merrill Lynch Trust Company custodied IRA and held in such account at
the time of redemption. The Class B CDSC may be waived for any Class B shares
that were acquired and held at the time of the redemption in an Employee
Access(SM) Account available through employers providing eligible 401(k) plans.
The Class B CDSC may also be waived for any Class B shares that are purchased by
a Merrill Lynch rollover IRA that was funded by a rollover from a terminated
401(k) plan managed by the MLAM Private Portfolio Group and held in such account
at the time of redemption. The Class B CDSC may be waived or its terms may be
modified in connection with certain fee-based programs. The Class B CDSC may
also be waived in connection with involuntary termination of an account in which
Fund shares are held or for withdrawals through the Merrill

23
<PAGE> 58

Lynch Systematic Withdrawal Plan. See "Shareholder Services -- Fee-Based
Programs" and "-- Systematic Withdrawal Plan."

Employer-Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans and Certain Other
Arrangements. Certain employer-sponsored retirement or savings plans and
certain other arrangements may purchase Class B shares with a waiver of the CDSC
upon redemption, based on the number of employees or number of employees
eligible to participate in the plan, the aggregate amount invested by the plan
in specified investments and/or the services provided by Merrill Lynch to the
plan. Such Class B shares will convert into Class D shares approximately ten
years after the plan purchases the first share of any Select Pricing Fund.
Minimum purchase requirements may be waived or varied for such plans. Additional
information regarding purchases by employer-sponsored retirement or savings
plans and certain other arrangements is available toll-free from Merrill Lynch
Business Financial Services at 1-800-237-7777.

Merrill Lynch Blueprint(SM) Program. Class B shares are offered to certain
participants in Blueprint. Blueprint is directed to small investors, group IRAs
and participants in certain affinity groups such as trade associations, credit
unions and benefit plans. Class B shares of the Fund are offered through
Blueprint only to members of certain affinity groups. The CDSC is waived in
connection with purchase orders placed through Blueprint. Services, including
the exchange privilege, available to Class B investors through Blueprint,
however, may differ from those available to other Class B investors. Orders for
purchases and redemptions of Class B shares of the Fund may be grouped for
execution purposes which, in some circumstances, may involve the execution of
such orders two business days following the day such orders are placed. The
minimum initial purchase price is $100, with a $50 minimum for subsequent
purchases through Blueprint. There is no minimum initial or subsequent purchase
requirement for investors who are part of a Blueprint automatic investment plan.
Additional information concerning these Blueprint programs, including any annual
fees or transaction charges, is available from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, The Blueprint(SM) Program, P.O. Box 30441, New Brunswick,
New Jersey 08989-0441.

Conversion of Class B Shares to Class D Shares. After approximately eight
years (the "Conversion Period"), Class B shares will be converted automatically
into Class D shares of the Fund. Class D shares are subject to an ongoing
account maintenance fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets but are not
subject to the distribution fee that is borne by Class B shares. Automatic
conversion of Class B shares into Class D shares will occur at least once each
month (on the "Conversion Date") on the basis of the relative net asset value of
the shares of the two classes on the Conversion Date, without the imposition of
any sales load, fee or other charge. Conversion of Class B shares to Class D
shares will not be deemed a purchase or sale of the shares for Federal income
tax purposes.

In addition, shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends on Class B
shares also will convert automatically to Class D shares. The Conversion Date
for dividend reinvestment shares will be calculated taking into account the
length of time the shares underlying such dividend reinvestment shares were
outstanding. If at the Conversion Date the conversion of Class B shares to Class
D shares of the Fund in a single account will result in less than $50 worth of
Class B shares being left in the account, all of the Class B shares of the Fund
held in the account on the Conversion Date will be converted to Class D shares
of the Fund.

In general, Class B shares of equity Select Pricing Funds will convert
approximately eight years after initial purchase and Class B shares of taxable
and tax-exempt fixed income Select Pricing Funds will convert approximately ten
years after initial purchase. If, during the Conversion Period, a shareholder
exchanges Class B shares with an eight-year Conversion Period for Class B shares
with a ten-year Conversion Period, or vice versa, the Conversion Period
applicable to the Class B shares acquired in the exchange will apply and the
holding period for the shares exchanged will be tacked on to the holding period
for the shares acquired. The conversion period also may be modified for
investors that participate in certain fee-based programs. See "Shareholder
Services -- Fee-Based Programs."

Class B shareholders of the Fund exercising the exchange privilege
described under "Shareholder Services -- Exchange Privilege" will continue to be
subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher than the CDSC
schedule relating to the Class B shares acquired as a result of the exchange.

24
<PAGE> 59

Share certificates for Class B shares of the Fund to be converted must be
delivered to the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to the Conversion Date
applicable to those shares. In the event such certificates are not received by
the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to the Conversion Date, the related
Class B shares will convert to Class D shares on the next scheduled Conversion
Date after such certificates are delivered.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charges -- Class C Shares

Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject
to a 1.0% CDSC charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. In
determining whether a Class C CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the
calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest possible
rate being charged. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser
of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed.
Accordingly, no Class C CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value
above the initial purchase price. In addition, no Class C CDSC will be assessed
on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends. It will be assumed that the
redemption is first of shares held for over one year or shares acquired pursuant
to reinvestment of dividends and then of shares held longest during the one-year
period. The charge will not be applied to dollar amounts representing an
increase in the net asset value since the time of purchase. A transfer of shares
from a shareholder's account to another account will be assumed to be made in
the same order as a redemption. The Class C CDSC may be reduced or waived in
connection with involuntary termination of an account in which Fund shares are
held and withdrawals through the Merrill Lynch Systematic Withdrawal Plans. See
"Shareholder Services -- Fee-Based Programs."

Shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund II, Inc., a
MLAM-advised continuously offered closed-end fund ("SFR II"), may reinvest the
net proceeds from a sale of shares in a tender offer by SFR II in Class C shares
of the Fund at their net asset value, without the imposition of any CDSC upon
any subsequent redemption of the Class C shares, if the conditions set forth
below are satisfied. In order to exercise this investment option, a shareholder
of SFR II must sell his or her shares of common stock back to SFR II in
connection with a tender offer conducted by SFR II and reinvest the proceeds
immediately in Class C shares of the Fund. This investment option is available
only with respect to SFR II shares as to which no Early Withdrawal Charge (as
defined in the SFR II prospectus) is applicable. Purchase orders from SFR II
shareholders wishing to exercise this investment option will be accepted only on
the day that the related tender offer terminates and will be effected at the net
asset value of the Class C shares of the Fund on such day.

Class B and Class C Sales Charge Information

Merrill Lynch compensates its Financial Consultants for selling Class B and
Class C shares at the time of purchase from its own funds. Proceeds from the
CDSC and the distribution fee are paid to the Distributor and are used in whole
or in part by the Distributor to defray the expenses of dealers (including
Merrill Lynch) related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C shares, such as the payment
of compensation to financial consultants for selling Class B and Class C shares
from the dealer's own funds. The combination of the CDSC and the ongoing
distribution fee facilitates the ability of the Fund to sell the Class B and
Class C shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of purchase.
See "Distribution Plans" below. Imposition of the CDSC and the distribution fee
on Class B and Class C shares is limited by the NASD asset-based sales charge
rule. See "Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges" below.

DISTRIBUTION PLANS

Reference is made to "Fees and Expenses" in the Prospectus for certain
information with respect to the separate distribution plans for Class B, Class C
and Class D shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (each
a "Distribution Plan") with respect to the account maintenance and/or
distribution fees paid by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to such
classes.

The Distribution Plans for Class B, Class C and Class D shares each
provides that the Fund pays the Distributor an account maintenance fee relating
to the shares of the relevant class, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the
annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to
shares of the

25
<PAGE> 60

relevant class in order to compensate the Distributor and Merrill Lynch
(pursuant to a sub-agreement) in connection with account maintenance activities
with respect to Class B, Class C and Class D shares. Each of those classes has
exclusive voting rights with respect to the Distribution Plan adopted with
respect to such class pursuant to which account maintenance and/or distribution
fees are paid (except that Class B shareholders may vote upon any material
changes to expenses charged under the Class D Distribution Plan).

The Distribution Plans for Class B and Class C shares each provides that
the Fund also pays the Distributor a distribution fee relating to the shares of
the relevant class, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.75%
of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the shares of the
relevant class in order to compensate the Distributor and Merrill Lynch
(pursuant to a sub-agreement) for providing shareholder and distribution
services and bearing certain distribution-related expenses of the Fund,
including payments to financial consultants for selling Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund. The Distribution Plans relating to Class B and Class C
shares are designed to permit an investor to purchase Class B and Class C shares
through dealers without the assessment of an initial sales charge and at the
same time permit the dealer to compensate its financial consultants in
connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C shares.

The Fund's Distribution Plans are subject to the provisions of Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act. In their consideration of each Distribution
Plan, the Directors must consider all factors they deem relevant, including
information as to the benefits of the Distribution Plan to the Fund and each
related class of shareholders. Each Distribution Plan further provides that, so
long as the Distribution Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of
Independent Directors shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent
Directors then in office. In approving each Distribution Plan in accordance with
Rule 12b-1, the Independent Directors concluded that there is reasonable
likelihood that each Distribution Plan will benefit the Fund and its related
class of shareholders. Each Distribution Plan can be terminated at any time,
without penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors or by
the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding related class of voting
securities of the Fund. A Distribution Plan cannot be amended to increase
materially the amount to be spent by the Fund without the approval of the
related class of shareholders and all material amendments are required to be
approved by the vote of Directors, including a majority of the Independent
Directors who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution
Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. Rule 12b-1 further
requires that the Fund preserve copies of the Distribution Plan and any report
made pursuant to such plan for a period of not less than six years from the date
of the Distribution Plan or such report, the first two years in an easily
accessible place.

Among other things, each Distribution Plan provides that the Distributor
shall provide and the Directors shall review quarterly reports of the
disbursement of the account maintenance and/or distribution fees paid to the
Distributor. Payments under the Distribution Plans are based on a percentage of
average daily net assets attributable to the shares regardless of the amount of
expenses incurred and, accordingly, distribution-related revenues from the
Distribution Plans may be more or less than distribution-related expenses.
Information with respect to the distribution-related revenues and expenses is
presented to the Directors for their consideration in connection with their
deliberations as to the continuance of the Class B and Class C Distribution
Plans annually, as of December 31 of each year, on a "fully allocated accrual"
basis and quarterly on a "direct expense and revenue/cash" basis. On the fully
allocated accrual basis, revenues consist of the account maintenance fees,
distribution fees, the CDSCs and certain other related revenues, and expenses
consist of financial consultant compensation, branch office and regional
operation center selling and transaction processing expenses, advertising, sales
promotion and marketing expenses, corporate overhead and interest expense. On
the direct expense and revenue/cash basis, revenues consist of the account
maintenance fees, distribution fees and CDSCs and the expenses consist of
financial consultant compensation.

LIMITATIONS ON THE PAYMENT OF DEFERRED SALES CHARGES

The maximum sales charge rule in the Conduct Rules of the NASD imposes a
limitation on certain asset-based sales charges such as the distribution fee and
the CDSC borne by the Class B and Class C shares but not the account maintenance
fee. The maximum sales charge rule is applied separately to each class. As
applicable to the Fund, the maximum sales charge rule limits the aggregate of
distribution fee payments and CDSCs payable by the Fund to (1) 6.25% of eligible
gross sales of Class B shares and Class C shares,

26
<PAGE> 61

computed separately (defined to exclude shares issued pursuant to dividend
reinvestments and exchanges), plus (2) interest on the unpaid balance for the
respective class, computed separately, at the prime rate plus 1% (the unpaid
balance being the maximum amount payable minus amounts received from the payment
of the distribution fee and the CDSC). In connection with the Class B shares,
the Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive interest charges on the unpaid
balance in excess of 0.50% of eligible gross sales. Consequently, the maximum
amount payable to the Distributor (referred to as the "voluntary maximum") in
connection with the Class B shares is 6.75% of eligible gross sales. The
Distributor retains the right to stop waiving the interest charges at any time.
To the extent payments would exceed the voluntary maximum, the Fund will not
make further payments of the distribution fee with respect to Class B shares and
any CDSCs will be paid to the Fund rather than to the Distributor; however, the
Fund will continue to make payments of the account maintenance fee. In certain
circumstances the amount payable pursuant to the voluntary maximum may exceed
the amount payable under the NASD formula. In such circumstances payment in
excess of the amount payable under the NASD formula will not be made.

REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Reference is made to "How to Buy, Sell, Transfer and Exchange Shares" in
the Prospectus.

The Fund is required to redeem for cash all shares of the Fund upon receipt
of a written request in proper form. The redemption price is the net asset value
per share next determined after the initial receipt of proper notice of
redemption. Except for any CDSC that may be applicable, there will be no charge
for redemption if the redemption request is sent directly to the Transfer Agent.
Shareholders liquidating their holdings will receive upon redemption all
dividends reinvested through the date of redemption.

The right to redeem shares or to receive payment with respect to any such
redemption may be suspended for more than seven days only for any period during
which trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is restricted as
determined by the Commission or the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend
and holiday closings), for any period during which an emergency exists as
defined by the Commission as a result of which disposal of portfolio securities
or determination of the net asset value of the Fund is not reasonably
practicable, and for such other periods as the Commission may by order permit
for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.

The value of shares at the time of redemption may be more or less than the
shareholder's cost, depending in part on the market value of the securities held
by the Fund at such time.

REDEMPTION

A shareholder wishing to redeem shares held with the Transfer Agent may do
so without charge by tendering the shares directly to the Transfer Agent at
Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 45289, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289.
Redemption requests delivered other than by mail should be delivered to
Financial Data Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida
32246-6484. Proper notice of redemption in the case of shares deposited with the
Transfer Agent may be accomplished by a written letter requesting redemption.
Proper notice of redemption in the case of shares for which certificates have
been issued may be accomplished by a written letter as noted above accompanied
by certificates for the shares to be redeemed. Redemption requests should not be
sent to the Fund. The redemption request in either event requires the
signature(s) of all persons in whose name(s) the shares are registered, signed
exactly as such name(s) appear(s) on the Transfer Agent's register. The
signature(s) on the redemption requests must be guaranteed by an "eligible
guarantor institution" as such is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the existence and
validity of which may be verified by the Transfer Agent through the use of
industry publications. Notarized signatures are not sufficient. In certain
instances, the Transfer Agent may require additional documents such as, but not
limited to, trust instruments, death certificates, appointments as executor or
administrator, or certificates of corporate authority. For shareholders
redeeming directly with the Transfer Agent, payments will be mailed within seven
days of receipt of a proper notice of redemption.

27
<PAGE> 62

At various times the Fund may be requested to redeem shares for which it
has not yet received good payment (e.g., cash, Federal funds or certified check
drawn on a United States bank). The Fund may delay or cause to be delayed the
mailing of a redemption check until such time as it has assured itself that good
payment (e.g., cash, Federal funds or certified check drawn on a United States
bank) has been collected for the purchase of such Fund shares, which will not
usually exceed 10 days.

REPURCHASE

The Fund also will repurchase Fund shares through a shareholder's listed
securities dealer. The Fund normally will accept orders to repurchase Fund
shares by wire or telephone from dealers for their customers at the net asset
value next computed after the order is placed. Shares will be priced at the net
asset value calculated on the day the request is received, provided that the
request for repurchase is submitted to the dealer prior to the regular close of
business on the NYSE (generally, the NYSE closes at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on
the day received, and such request is received by the Fund from such dealer not
later than 30 minutes after the close of business on the NYSE on the same day.
Dealers have the responsibility of submitting such repurchase requests to the
Fund not later than 30 minutes after the close of business on the NYSE, in order
to obtain that day's closing price.

The foregoing repurchase arrangements are for the convenience of
shareholders and do not involve a charge by the Fund (other than any applicable
CDSC). Securities firms that do not have selected dealer agreements with the
Distributor, however, may impose a transaction charge on the shareholder for
transmitting the notice of repurchase to the Fund. Merrill Lynch may charge its
customers a processing fee (presently $5.35) to confirm a repurchase of shares
to such customers. Repurchases made directly through the Transfer Agent on
accounts held at the Transfer Agent are not subject to the processing fee. The
Fund reserves the right to reject any order for repurchase, which right of
rejection might adversely affect shareholders seeking redemption through the
repurchase procedure. However, a shareholder whose order for repurchase is
rejected by the Fund may redeem Fund shares as set forth above.

REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE -- CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES

Shareholders who have redeemed their Class A or Class D shares of the Fund
have a privilege to reinstate their accounts by purchasing Class A or Class D
shares, as the case may be, of the Fund at net asset value without a sales
charge up to the dollar amount redeemed. The reinstatement privilege may be
exercised by sending a notice of exercise along with a check for the amount to
be reinstated to the Transfer Agent within 30 days after the date the request
for redemption was accepted by the Transfer Agent or the Distributor.
Alternatively, the reinstatement privilege may be exercised through the
investor's Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant within 30 days after the date the
request for redemption was accepted by the Transfer Agent or the Distributor.
The reinstatement will be made at the net asset value per share next determined
after the notice of reinstatement is received and cannot exceed the amount of
the redemption proceeds.

PRICING OF SHARES

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

Reference is made to "How Shares are Priced" in the Prospectus.

The net asset value of the shares of all classes of the Fund is determined
once daily Monday through Friday, after the close of business on the NYSE on
each day the NYSE is open for trading. The NYSE generally closes at 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern time. Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of non-U.S.
dollar currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market
rates as quoted by one or more banks or dealers on the day of valuation. The
NYSE is not open for trading on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

28
<PAGE> 63

Net asset value is computed by dividing the value of the securities held by
the Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest and dividends accrued
but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the
total number of shares outstanding at such time, rounded to the nearest cent.
Expenses, including the fees payable to the Manager and Distributor, are accrued
daily.

The per share net asset value of Class B, Class C and Class D shares
generally will be lower than the per share net asset value of Class A shares,
reflecting the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance, distribution
and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to Class B and Class C
shares, and the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance fees
applicable with respect to the Class D shares; moreover, the per share net asset
value of the Class B and Class C shares generally will be lower than the per
share net asset value of Class D shares reflecting the daily expense accruals of
the distribution fees and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to
Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. It is expected, however, that the per
share net asset value of the four classes will tend to converge (although not
necessarily meet) immediately after the payment of dividends, which will differ
by approximately the amount of the expense accrual differentials between the
classes.

Portfolio securities that are traded on stock exchanges are valued at the
last sale price (regular way) on the exchange on which such securities are
traded as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued
or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price for long positions, and
at the last available ask price for short positions. In cases where securities
are traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued on the exchange
designated by or under the authority of the Directors as the primary market.
Long positions in securities traded in the over-the-counter ("OTC") market are
valued at the last available bid price in the OTC market prior to the time of
valuation. Short positions in securities traded in the OTC market are valued at
the last available ask price in the OTC market prior to the time of valuation.
Portfolio securities that are traded both in the OTC market and on a stock
exchange are valued according to the broadest and most representative market.
When the Fund writes an option, the amount of the premium received is recorded
on the books of the Fund as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of
the liability is subsequently valued to reflect the current market value of the
option written, based upon the last sale price in the case of exchange-traded
options or, in the case of options traded in the OTC market, the last asked
price. Options purchased by the Fund are valued at their last sale price in the
case of exchange-traded options or, in the case of options traded in the OTC
market, the last bid price. Other investments, including financial futures
contracts and related options, are stated at market value. Securities and assets
for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value
as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Directors of the
Fund. Such valuations and procedures will be reviewed periodically by the
Directors.

Generally, trading in non-U.S. securities, as well as U.S. Government
securities and money market instruments, is substantially completed each day at
various times prior to the close of business on the NYSE. The values of such
securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are
determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally
determined prior to the close of business on the NYSE. Occasionally, events
affecting the values of such securities and such exchange rates may occur
between the times at which they are determined and the close of business on the
NYSE that may not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

TRANSACTIONS IN PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors, the Manager is
primarily responsible for the execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions and
the allocation of brokerage. The Fund has no obligation to deal with any dealer
or group of dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities of
the Fund. Where possible, the Fund deals directly with the dealers who make a
market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better
prices and execution are available elsewhere. It is the policy of the Fund to
obtain the best results in conducting portfolio transactions for the Fund,
taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable dealer
spread or commission), the size, type and difficulty of the transaction

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<PAGE> 64

involved, the firm's general execution and operations facilities and the firm's
risk in positioning the securities involved. The portfolio securities of the
Fund generally are traded on a principal basis and normally do not involve
either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. The cost of portfolio securities
transactions of the Fund primarily consists of dealer or underwriter spreads.
While reasonable competitive spreads or commissions are sought, the Fund will
not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available.
Transactions with respect to the securities of small and emerging growth
companies in which the Fund may invest may involve specialized services on the
part of the broker or dealer and thereby entail higher commissions or spreads
than would be the case with transactions involving more widely traded
securities.

Subject to obtaining the best net results, dealers who provide supplemental
investment research (such as information concerning tax-exempt securities,
economic data and market forecasts) to the Manager may receive orders for
transactions by the Fund. Information so received will be in addition to and not
in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Manager under its
Management Agreement and the expense of the Manager will not necessarily be
reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information.
Supplemental investment research obtained from such dealers might be used by the
Manager in servicing all of its accounts and all such research might not be used
by the Manager in connection with the Fund. Consistent with the Conduct Rules of
the NASD and policies established by the Directors of the Fund, the Manager may
consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers or
dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund.

Under the Investment Company Act, persons affiliated with the Fund and
persons who are affiliated with such persons are prohibited from dealing with
the Fund as principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless a permissive
order allowing such transactions is obtained from the Commission. Since
transactions in the over-the-counter market usually involve transactions with
dealers acting as principal for their own accounts, affiliated persons of the
Fund, including Merrill Lynch and any of its affiliates, will not serve as the
Fund's dealer in such transactions. However, affiliated persons of the Fund may
serve as its broker in listed or over-the-counter transactions conducted on an
agency basis provided that, among other things, the fee or commission received
by such affiliated broker is reasonable and fair compared to the fee or
commission received by non-affiliated brokers in connection with comparable
transactions. In addition, the Fund may not purchase securities during the
existence of any underwriting syndicate for such securities of which Merrill
Lynch is a member or in a private placement in which Merrill Lynch serves as
placement agent except pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Directors
of the Fund that either comply with rules adopted by the Commission or with
interpretations of the Commission staff.

Certain court decisions have raised questions as to the extent to which
investment companies should seek exemptions under the Investment Company Act in
order to seek to recapture underwriting and dealer spreads from affiliated
entities. The Directors have considered all factors deemed relevant and have
made a determination not to seek such recapture at this time. The Directors will
reconsider this matter from time to time.

Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act generally prohibits members of the U.S.
national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions for their
affiliates and institutional accounts that they manage unless the member (i) has
obtained prior express authorization from the account to effect such
transactions, (ii) at least annually furnishes the account with a statement
setting forth the aggregate compensation received by the member in effecting
such transactions, and (iii) complies with any rules the Commission has
prescribed with respect to the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii). To the
extent Section 11(a) would apply to Merrill Lynch acting as a broker for the
Fund in any of its portfolio transactions executed on any such securities
exchange of which it is a member, appropriate consents have been obtained from
the Fund and annual statements as to aggregate compensation will be provided to
the Fund. Securities may be held by, or be appropriate investments for, the Fund
as well as other funds or investment advisory clients of the Manager or MLAM.

Because of different objectives or other factors, a particular security may
be bought for one or more clients of the Manager or an affiliate when one or
more clients of the Manager or an affiliate are selling the same security. If
purchases or sales of securities arise for consideration at or about the same
time that would involve the Fund or other clients or funds for which the Manager
or an affiliate act as manager, transactions in

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<PAGE> 65

such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds and
clients in a manner deemed equitable to all. To the extent that transactions on
behalf of more than one client of the Manager or an affiliate during the same
period may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of
securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

The Fund offers a number of shareholder services and investment plans
described below that are designed to facilitate investment in shares of the
Fund. Certain of such services are not available to investors who place purchase
orders for the Fund's shares through the Merrill Lynch Blueprint(SM) Program.
Full details as to each of such services, copies of the various plans and
instructions as to how to participate in the various services or plans, or how
to change options with respect thereto, can be obtained from the Fund, by
calling the telephone number on the cover page hereof, or from the Distributor
or Merrill Lynch. Certain of these services are available only to U.S.
investors.

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT

Each shareholder whose account is maintained at the Transfer Agent has an
Investment Account and will receive statements, at least quarterly, from the
Transfer Agent. These statements will serve as transaction confirmations for
automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of dividends. The statements
will also show any other activity in the account since the preceding statement.
Shareholders will also receive separate confirmations for each purchase or sale
transaction other than automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of
dividends. A shareholder with an account held at the Transfer Agent may make
additions to his or her Investment Account at any time by mailing a check
directly to the Transfer Agent. A shareholder may also maintain an account
through Merrill Lynch. Upon the transfer of shares out of a Merrill Lynch
brokerage account, an Investment Account in the transferring shareholder's name
may be opened automatically at the Transfer Agent.

Share certificates are issued only for full shares and only upon the
specific request of a shareholder who has an Investment Account. Issuance of
certificates representing all or only part of the full shares in an Investment
Account may be requested by a shareholder directly from the Transfer Agent.

Shareholders may transfer their Fund shares from Merrill Lynch to another
securities dealer that has entered into a selected dealer agreement with Merrill
Lynch. Certain shareholder services may not be available for the transferred
shares. After the transfer, the shareholder may purchase additional shares of
funds owned before the transfer and all future trading of these assets must be
coordinated by the new firm. If a shareholder wishes to transfer his or her
shares to a securities dealer that has not entered into a selected dealer
agreement with Merrill Lynch, the shareholder must either (i) redeem his or her
shares, paying any applicable CDSC or (ii) continue to maintain an Investment
Account at the Transfer Agent for those shares. The shareholder may also request
the new securities dealer to maintain the shares in an account at the Transfer
Agent registered in the name of the securities dealer for the benefit of the
shareholder whether the securities dealer has entered into a selected dealer
agreement with Merrill Lynch or not.

Shareholders considering transferring a tax-deferred retirement account,
such as an individual retirement account, from Merrill Lynch to another
securities dealer should be aware that, if the firm to which the retirement
account is to be transferred will not take delivery of shares of the Fund, a
shareholder must either redeem the shares, paying any applicable CDSC, so that
the cash proceeds can be transferred to the account at the new firm, or such
shareholder must continue to maintain a retirement account at Merrill Lynch for
those shares.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

U.S. shareholders of each class of shares of the Fund have an exchange
privilege with certain other Select Pricing Funds and Summit Cash Reserves Fund
("Summit"), a series of Financial Institutions Series Trust, which is a Merrill
Lynch-sponsored money market fund specifically designated as available for
exchange by

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<PAGE> 66

holders of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares of Select Pricing Funds.
Shares with a net asset value of at least $100 are required to qualify for the
exchange privilege and any shares utilized in an exchange must have been held by
the shareholder for at least 15 days. Before effecting an exchange, shareholders
should obtain a currently effective prospectus of the fund into which the
exchange is to be made. Exercise of the exchange privilege is treated as a sale
of the exchanged shares and a purchase of the acquired shares for Federal income
tax purposes.

Exchanges of Class A and Class D Shares. Class A shareholders may exchange
Class A shares of the Fund for Class A shares of a second Select Pricing Fund if
the shareholder holds any Class A shares of the second fund in his or her
account in which the exchange is made at the time of the exchange or is
otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares of the second fund. If the Class A
shareholder wants to exchange Class A shares for shares of a second Select
Pricing Fund, but does not hold Class A shares of the second fund in his or her
account at the time of the exchange and is not otherwise eligible to acquire
Class A shares of the second fund, the shareholder will receive Class D shares
of the second fund as a result of the exchange. Class D shares also may be
exchanged for Class A shares of a second Select Pricing Fund at any time as long
as, at the time of the exchange, the shareholder holds Class A shares of the
second fund in the account in which the exchange is made or is otherwise
eligible to purchase Class A shares of the second fund. Class D shares are
exchangeable with shares of the same class of other Select Pricing Funds.

Exchanges of Class A or Class D shares outstanding ("outstanding Class A or
Class D shares") for Class A or Class D shares of other Select Pricing Funds or
for Class A shares of Summit ("new Class A or Class D shares") are transacted on
the basis of relative net asset value per Class A or Class D share,
respectively, plus an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the sales
charge previously paid on the outstanding Class A or Class D shares and the
sales charge payable at the time of the exchange on the new Class A or Class D
shares. With respect to outstanding Class A or Class D shares as to which
previous exchanges have taken place, the "sales charge previously paid" shall
include the aggregate of the sales charges paid with respect to such Class A or
Class D shares in the initial purchase and any subsequent exchange. Class A or
Class D shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment are sold on a no-load
basis in each of the funds offering Class A or Class D shares. For purposes of
the exchange privilege, Class A or Class D shares acquired through dividend
reinvestment shall be deemed to have been sold with a sales charge equal to the
sales charge previously paid on the Class A or Class D shares on which the
dividend was paid. Based on this formula, Class A and Class D shares generally
may be exchanged into the Class A or Class D shares, respectively, of the other
funds with a reduced sales charge or without a sales charge.

Exchanges of Class B and Class C Shares. Certain Select Pricing Funds with
Class B or Class C shares outstanding ("outstanding Class B or Class C shares")
offer to exchange their Class B or Class C shares for Class B or Class C shares,
respectively, of certain other Select Pricing Funds or for Class B shares of
Summit ("new Class B or Class C shares") on the basis of relative net asset
value per Class B or Class C share, without the payment of any CDSC that might
otherwise be due on redemption of the outstanding shares. Class B shareholders
of the Fund exercising the exchange privilege will continue to be subject to the
Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher than the CDSC schedule relating
to the new Class B shares acquired through use of the exchange privilege. In
addition, Class B shares of the Fund acquired through use of the exchange
privilege will be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher
than the CDSC schedule relating to the Class B shares of the fund from which the
exchange has been made. For purposes of computing the CDSC that may be payable
on a disposition of the new Class B or Class C shares, the holding period for
the outstanding Class B or Class C shares is "tacked" to the holding period of
the new Class B or Class C shares. For example, an investor may exchange Class B
or Class C shares of the Fund for those of Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund,
Inc. ("Special Value Fund") after having held the Fund's Class B shares for two
and a half years. The 2% CDSC that generally would apply to a redemption would
not apply to the exchange. Three years later the investor may decide to redeem
the Class B shares of Special Value Fund and receive cash. There will be no CDSC
due on this redemption, since by "tacking" the two and a half year holding
period of Fund Class B shares to the three-year holding period for the Special
Value Fund Class B shares, the investor will be deemed to have held the Special
Value Fund Class B shares for more than five years.

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<PAGE> 67

Exchanges for Shares of a Money Market Fund. Class A and Class D shares
are exchangeable for Class A shares of Summit and Class B and Class C shares are
exchangeable for Class B shares of Summit. Class A shares of Summit have an
exchange privilege back into Class A or Class D shares of Select Pricing Funds;
Class B shares of Summit have an exchange privilege back into Class B or Class C
shares of Select Pricing Funds and, in the event of such an exchange, the period
of time that Class B shares of Summit are held will count toward satisfaction of
the holding period requirement for purposes of reducing any CDSC and toward
satisfaction of any Conversion Period with respect to Class B shares. Class B
shares of Summit will be subject to a distribution fee at an annual rate of
0.75% of average daily net assets of such Class B shares. This exchange
privilege does not apply with respect to certain Merrill Lynch fee-based
programs for which alternative exchange arrangements may exist. Please see your
Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant for further information.

Prior to October 12, 1998, exchanges from the Fund and other Select Pricing
Funds into a money market fund were directed to certain Merrill Lynch-sponsored
money market funds other than Summit. Shareholders who exchanged Select Pricing
Fund shares for such other money market funds and subsequently wish to exchange
those money market fund shares for shares of the Fund will be subject to the
CDSC schedule applicable to such Fund shares, if any. The holding period for
those money market fund shares will not count toward satisfaction of the holding
period requirement for reduction of the CDSC imposed on such shares, if any,
and, with respect to Class B shares, toward satisfaction of the Conversion
Period. However, the holding period for Class B or Class C shares received in
exchange for such money market fund shares will be aggregated with the holding
period for the original Select Pricing Fund shares for purposes of reducing the
CDSC or satisfying the Conversion Period.

Exchanges by Participants in the MFA Program. The exchange privilege is
modified with respect to certain retirement plans which participate in the
Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund Advisor (Merrill Lynch MFA(SM)) Program (the "MFA
Program"). Such retirement plans may exchange Class B, Class C or Class D shares
that have been held for at least one year for Class A shares of the same fund on
the basis of relative net asset values in connection with the commencement of
participation in the MFA Program, i.e., no CDSC will apply. The one year holding
period does not apply to shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends. Upon
termination of participation in the MFA Program, Class A shares will be
re-exchanged for the class of shares originally held. For purposes of computing
any CDSC that may be payable upon redemption of Class B or Class C shares so
reacquired, or the Conversion Period for Class B shares so reacquired, the
holding period for the Class A shares will be "tacked" to the holding period for
the Class B or Class C shares originally held. The Fund's exchange privilege is
also modified with respect to purchases of Class A and Class D shares by non-
retirement plan investors under the MFA Program. First, the initial allocation
of assets is made under the MFA Program. Then, any subsequent exchange under the
MFA Program of Class A or Class D shares of a Select Pricing Fund for Class A or
Class D shares of the Fund will be made solely on the basis of the relative net
asset values of the shares being exchanged. Therefore, there will not be a
charge for any difference between the sales charge previously paid on the shares
of the other Select Pricing Fund and the sales charge payable on the shares of
the Fund being acquired in the exchange under the MFA Program.

Exercise of the Exchange Privilege. To exercise the exchange privilege, a
shareholder should contact his or her Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant, who
will advise the Fund of the exchange. Shareholders of the Fund, and shareholders
of the other Select Pricing Funds with shares for which certificates have not
been issued, may exercise the exchange privilege by wire through their
securities dealers. The Fund reserves the right to require a properly completed
Exchange Application. This exchange privilege may be modified or terminated in
accordance with the rules of the Commission. The Fund reserves the right to
limit the number of times an investor may exercise the exchange privilege.
Certain funds may suspend the continuous offering of their shares to the general
public at any time and may thereafter resume such offering from time to time.
The exchange privilege is available only to U.S. shareholders in states where
the exchange legally may be made. It is contemplated that the exchange privilege
may be applicable to other new mutual funds whose shares may be distributed by
the Distributor.

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<PAGE> 68

FEE-BASED PROGRAMS

Certain Merrill Lynch fee-based programs, including pricing alternatives
for securities transactions (each referred to in this paragraph as a "Program"),
may permit the purchase of Class A shares at net asset value. Under specified
circumstances, participants in certain Programs may deposit other classes of
shares which will be exchanged for Class A shares. Initial or deferred sales
charges otherwise due in connection with such exchanges may be waived or
modified, as may the Conversion Period applicable to the deposited shares.
Termination of participation in a Program may result in the redemption of shares
held therein or the automatic exchange thereof to another class at net asset
value, which may be shares of a money market fund. In addition, upon termination
of participation in a Program, shares that have been held for less than
specified periods within such Program may be subject to a fee based upon the
current value of such shares. These Programs also generally prohibit such shares
from being transferred to another account at Merrill Lynch, to another
broker-dealer or to the Transfer Agent. Except in limited circumstances (which
may also involve an exchange as described above), such shares must be redeemed
and another class of shares purchased (which may involve the imposition of
initial or deferred sales charges and distribution and account maintenance fees)
in order for the investment not to be subject to Program fees. Additional
information regarding a specific Program (including charges and limitations on
transferability applicable to shares that may be held in such Program) is
available in such Program's client agreement and from the Transfer Agent at
1-800-MER-FUND (1-(800)-637-3863).

RETIREMENT AND EDUCATION SAVINGS PLANS

Individual retirement accounts and other retirement and education savings
plans are available from Merrill Lynch. Under these plans, investments may be
made in the Fund and certain of the other mutual funds sponsored by Merrill
Lynch as well as in other securities. Merrill Lynch may charge an initial
establishment fee and an annual fee for each account. Information with respect
to these plans is available on request from Merrill Lynch.

Capital gains and ordinary income received in each of the plans referred to
above are exempt from Federal taxation until distributed from the plans.
Different tax rules apply to Roth IRA plans and education savings plans.
Investors considering participation in any retirement or education savings plan
should review specific tax laws relating thereto and should consult their
attorneys or tax advisers with respect to the establishment and maintenance of
any such plan.

AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS

A shareholder may make additions to an Investment Account at any time by
purchasing Class A shares (if he or she is an eligible Class A investor) or
Class B, Class C or Class D shares at the applicable public offering price.
These purchases may be made either through the shareholder's securities dealer,
or by mail directly to the Transfer Agent, acting as agent for such securities
dealer. Voluntary accumulation also can be made through a service known as the
Fund's Automatic Investment Plan. The Fund would be authorized, on a regular
basis, to provide systematic additions to the Investment Account of such
shareholder through charges of $50 or more to the regular bank account of the
shareholder by either pre-authorized checks or automated clearing house debits.
For investors who buy shares of the Fund through Blueprint, no minimum charge to
the investor's bank account is required. Alternatively, an investor whose shares
of the Fund are held within a CMA(R) or CBA(R) account may arrange to have
periodic investments made in the Fund in amounts of $100 or more ($1 or more for
retirement accounts) through the CMA(R) or CBA(R) Automated Investment Program.

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

Unless specific instructions are given as to the method of payment,
dividends will be automatically reinvested, without sales charge, in additional
full and fractional shares of the Fund. Such reinvestment will be at the net
asset value of shares of the Fund as of the close of business on the NYSE on the
monthly payment date for such dividends. No CDSC will be imposed upon redemption
of shares issued as a result of the automatic reinvestment of dividends.

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<PAGE> 69

Shareholders may, at any time, by written notification to Merrill Lynch if
their account is maintained with Merrill Lynch, or by written notification or by
telephone (1-800-MER-FUND) to the Transfer Agent, if their account is maintained
with the Transfer Agent elect to have subsequent dividends of ordinary income
and/or capital gains paid in cash, rather than reinvested in shares of the Fund
(provided that, in the event that a payment on an account maintained at the
Transfer Agent would amount to $10.00 or less, a shareholder will not receive
such payment in cash and such payment will automatically be reinvested in
additional shares). Commencing ten days after the receipt by the Transfer Agent
of such notice, those instructions will be effected. The Fund is not responsible
for any failure of delivery to the shareholder's address of record and no
interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed dividend checks. Cash
payments can also be directly deposited to the shareholder's bank account.

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS

A shareholder may elect to receive systematic withdrawals from his or her
Investment Account by check or through automatic payment by direct deposit to
his or her bank account on either a monthly or quarterly basis as provided
below. Quarterly withdrawals are available for shareholders that have acquired
shares of the Fund having a value, based on cost or the current offering price,
of $5,000 or more, and monthly withdrawals are available for shareholders with
shares having a value of $10,000 or more.

At the time of each withdrawal payment, sufficient shares are redeemed from
those on deposit in the shareholder's account to provide the withdrawal payment
specified by the shareholder. The shareholder may specify the dollar amount and
the class of shares to be redeemed. Redemptions will be made at net asset value
as determined fifteen minutes after the close of business on the NYSE
(generally, the NYSE closes at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the 24th day of each
month or the 24th day of the last month of each quarter, whichever is
applicable. If the NYSE is not open for business on such date, the shares will
be redeemed at the net asset value determined fifteen minutes after the close of
business on the NYSE on the following business day. The check for the withdrawal
payment will be mailed, or the direct deposit of the withdrawal payment will be
made, on the next business day following redemption. When a shareholder is
making systematic withdrawals, dividends on all shares in the Investment Account
are reinvested automatically in Fund shares. A shareholder's Systematic
Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time, without charge or penalty, by the
shareholder, the Fund, the Transfer Agent or the Distributor.

With respect to redemptions of Class B or Class C shares pursuant to a
systematic withdrawal plan, the maximum number of Class B or Class C shares that
can be redeemed from an account annually shall not exceed 10% of the value of
shares of such class in that account at the time the election to join the
systematic withdrawal plan was made. Any CDSC that otherwise might be due on
such redemption of Class B or Class C shares will be waived. Shares redeemed
pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan will be redeemed in the same order as
Class B or Class C shares are otherwise redeemed. See "Purchase of
Shares -- Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives -- Contingent Deferred Sales
Charges -- Class B and Class C Shares." Where the systematic withdrawal plan is
applied to Class B shares, upon conversion of the last Class B shares in an
account to Class D shares, the systematic withdrawal plan will be applied
thereafter to Class D shares if the shareholder so elects. See "Purchase of
Shares -- Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives -- Conversion of Class B Shares to
Class D Shares." If an investor wishes to change the amount being withdrawn in a
systematic withdrawal plan the investor should contact his or her Merrill Lynch
Financial Consultant.

Withdrawal payments should not be considered as dividends. Each withdrawal
is a taxable event. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed reinvested
dividends, the shareholder's original investment may be reduced correspondingly.
Purchases of additional shares concurrent with withdrawals are ordinarily
disadvantageous to the shareholder because of sales charges and tax liabilities.
The Fund will not knowingly accept purchase orders for shares of the Fund from
investors that maintain a Systematic Withdrawal Plan unless such purchase is
equal to at least one year's scheduled withdrawals or $1,200, whichever is
greater. Automatic investments may not be made into an Investment Account in
which the shareholder has elected to make systematic withdrawals.

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<PAGE> 70

Alternatively, a shareholder whose shares are held within a CMA(R), CBA(R)
Account or Retirement Account may elect to have shares redeemed on a monthly,
bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis through the CMA(R) or CBA(R)
Systematic Redemption Program. The minimum fixed dollar amount redeemable is
$50. The proceeds of systematic redemptions will be posted to the shareholder's
account three business days after the date the shares are redeemed. All
redemptions are made at net asset value. A shareholder may elect to have his or
her shares redeemed on the first, second, third or fourth Monday of each month,
in the case of monthly redemptions, or of every other month, in the case of
bimonthly redemptions. For quarterly, semiannual or annual redemptions, the
shareholder may select the month in which the shares are to be redeemed and may
designate whether the redemption is to be made on the first, second, third or
fourth Monday of the month. If the Monday selected is not a business day, the
redemption will be processed at net asset value on the next business day. The
CMA(R) or CBA(R) Systematic Redemption Program is not available if Fund shares
are being purchased within the account pursuant to the Automated Investment
Program. For more information on the CMA(R) or CBA(R) Systematic Redemption
Program, eligible shareholders should contact their Merrill Lynch Financial
Consultant.

DIVIDENDS AND TAXES

DIVIDENDS

It is the Fund's intention to distribute all of its net investment income,
if any. Dividends from such investment income are paid annually. All net
realized capital gains, if any, are distributed to the Fund's shareholders at
least annually. Premiums from expired call options written by the Fund and net
gains from closing purchase transactions are treated as short-term capital gains
for Federal income tax purposes. Shareholders may elect in writing to receive
any such dividends in cash. See "Shareholder Services -- Dividend Reinvestment
Plan" for information concerning the manner in which dividends may be reinvested
automatically in shares of the Fund. Dividends are taxable to shareholders, as
described below, whether they are invested in shares of the Fund or received in
cash. The per share dividends on Class B and Class C shares will be lower than
the per share dividends on Class A and Class D shares as a result of the account
maintenance, distribution and higher transfer agency fees applicable with
respect to the Class B and Class C shares. Similarly, the per share dividends on
Class D shares will be lower than the per share dividends on Class A shares as a
result of the account maintenance fees applicable with respect to the Class D
shares. See "Pricing of Shares -- Determination of Net Asset Value."

TAXES

The Fund intends to elect and to qualify for the special tax treatment
afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As long as the Fund so qualifies, the Fund
(but not its shareholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax on the part
of its net ordinary income and net realized capital gains that it distributes to
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders (together, the
"shareholders"). The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such
income.

The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent
the RIC does not distribute, during each calendar year, 98% of its ordinary
income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains,
determined, in general on a October 31 year end, plus certain undistributed
amounts from previous years. While the Fund intends to distribute its income and
capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% excise
tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund's taxable
income and capital gains will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of
the tax. In such event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount
by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirements.

Dividends paid by the Fund from its ordinary income or from an excess of
net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses (together
referred to hereafter as "ordinary income dividends") are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions made from an excess of net
long-term capital gains over net

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<PAGE> 71

short-term capital losses (including gains or losses from certain transactions
in options, futures and warrants) ("capital gain dividends") are taxable to
shareholders as long-term gains, regardless of the length of time the
shareholder has owned Fund shares. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Fund
shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to
the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholder.
Distributions in excess of the Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the
adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is
reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such holder (assuming the
shares are held as a capital asset). Certain categories of capital gains are
taxable at different rates. Generally not later than 60 days after the close of
its taxable year, the Fund will provide its shareholders with a written notice
designating the amount of any capital gain dividends, as well as any amount of
capital gain dividends in the different categories of capital gain referred to
above.

Dividends are taxable to shareholders even though they are reinvested in
additional shares of the Fund. A portion of the Fund's ordinary income dividends
may be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations
under the Code, if certain requirements are met. For this purpose, the Fund will
allocate dividends eligible for the dividends received deduction among the Class
A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders according to a method (which it
believes is consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission rule
permitting the issuance and sale of multiple classes of stock) that is based on
the gross income allocable to Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders
during the taxable year, or such other method as the Internal Revenue Service
may prescribe. If the Fund pays a dividend in January that was declared in the
previous October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified
date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes
as being paid by the Fund and received by its shareholders on December 31 of the
year in which such dividend was declared.

No gain or loss will be recognized by Class B shareholders on the
conversion of their Class B shares into Class D shares. A shareholder's basis in
the Class D shares acquired will be the same as such shareholder's basis in the
Class B shares converted, and the holding period of the acquired Class D shares
will include the holding period of the converted Class B shares.

If a shareholder exercises an exchange privilege within 90 days of
acquiring the shares, then the loss the shareholder can recognize on the
exchange will be reduced (or the gain increased) to the extent any sales charge
paid to the Fund reduces any sales charge the shareholder would have owed upon
the purchase of the new shares in the absence of the exchange privilege.
Instead, such sales charge will be treated as an amount paid for the new shares.

A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be
disallowed if other Fund shares are acquired (whether through the automatic
reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In
such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss.

Ordinary income dividends paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens
or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% United States withholding tax under
existing provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities
unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided
under applicable treaty law. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their
own tax advisers concerning applicability of the United States withholding tax.

Dividends and interest received by the Fund may give rise to withholding
and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes.

Under certain provisions of the Code, some shareholders may be subject to a
31% withholding tax on ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and
redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Generally, shareholders subject to
backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification
number is on file with the Fund or who, to the Fund's knowledge, have furnished
an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify
under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is
not otherwise subject to backup withholding.

37
<PAGE> 72

TAX TREATMENT OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS

The Fund may write, purchase or sell options, futures and forward foreign
exchange contracts. Options and futures that are "Section 1256 contracts" will
be "marked to market" for Federal income tax purposes at the end of each taxable
year, i.e., each such option or futures contract will be treated as sold for its
fair market value on the last day of the taxable year. Unless such contract is a
forward foreign exchange contract, or is a non-equity option or a regulated
futures contract for a non-U.S. currency for which the Fund elects to have gain
or loss treated as ordinary gain or loss under Code Section 988 (as described
below), gain or loss from Section 1256 contracts will be 60% long-term and 40%
short-term capital gain or loss. Application of these rules to Section 1256
contracts held by the Fund may alter the timing and character of distributions
to shareholders. The mark-to-market rules outlined above, however, will not
apply to certain transactions entered into by the Fund solely to reduce the risk
of changes in price or interest rates with respect to its investments.

A forward foreign exchange contract that is a Section 1256 contract will be
marked to market, as described above. However, the character of gain or loss
from such a contract will generally be ordinary under Code Section 988. The Fund
may, nonetheless, elect to treat the gain or loss from certain forward foreign
exchange contracts as capital. In this case, gain or loss realized in connection
with a forward foreign exchange contract that is a Section 1256 contract will be
characterized as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss.

Code Section 1092, which applies to certain "straddles," may affect the
taxation of the Fund's sales of securities and transactions in options, futures
and forward foreign exchange contracts. Under Section 1092, the Fund may be
required to postpone recognition for tax purposes of losses incurred in certain
sales of securities and closing transactions in options, futures and forward
foreign exchange contracts.

SPECIAL RULES FOR CERTAIN FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

In general, gains from "foreign currencies" and from foreign currency
options, foreign currency futures and forward foreign exchange contracts
relating to investments in stock, securities or foreign currencies will be
qualifying income for purposes of determining whether the Fund qualifies as a
RIC. It is currently unclear, however, who will be treated as the issuer of a
foreign currency instrument or how foreign currency options, foreign currency
futures and forward foreign exchange contracts will be valued for purposes of
the RIC diversification requirements applicable to the Fund.

Under Code Section 988, special rules are provided for certain transactions
in a currency other than the taxpayer's functional currency (i.e., unless
certain special rules apply, currencies other than the U.S. dollar). In general,
foreign currency gains or losses from certain debt instruments, from certain
forward contracts, from future contracts that are not "regulated futures
contracts" and from unlisted options will be treated as ordinary income or loss
under Code Section 988. In certain circumstances, the Fund may elect capital
gain or loss treatment for such transactions. Regulated futures contracts, as
described above, will be taxed under Code Section 1256 unless application of
Section 988 is elected by the Fund. In general, however, Code Section 988 gains
or losses will increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company
taxable income available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income.
Additionally, if Code Section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable
income during a taxable year, the Fund would not be able to make any ordinary
income dividend distributions, and all or a portion of distributions made before
the losses were realized but in the same taxable year would be recharacterized
as a return of capital to shareholders, thereby reducing the basis of each
shareholder's Fund shares and resulting in a capital gain for any shareholder
who received a distribution greater than such shareholder's basis in Fund shares
(assuming the shares were held as a capital asset). These rules and the
mark-to-market rules described above, however, will not apply to certain
transactions entered into by the Fund solely to reduce the risk of currency
fluctuations with respect to its investments.

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable
provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations presently in effect. For the
complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and
the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and the Treasury

38
<PAGE> 73

regulations are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative
action either prospectively or retroactively.

Ordinary income and capital gain dividends may also be subject to state and
local taxes.

Certain states exempt from state income taxation dividends paid by RICs
which are derived from interest on United States Government obligations. State
law varies as to whether dividend income attributable to United States
Government obligations is exempt from state income tax.

Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific
questions as to Federal, foreign, state or local taxes. Foreign investors should
consider applicable foreign taxes in their evaluation of investment in the Fund.

PERFORMANCE DATA

From time to time the Fund may include its average annual total return and
other total return data in advertisements or information furnished to present or
prospective shareholders. Total return figures are based on the Fund's
historical performance and are not intended to indicate future performance.
Average annual total return is determined separately for Class A, Class B, Class
C and Class D shares in accordance with formulas specified by the Commission.

Average annual total return quotations for the specified periods are
computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return (based on net
investment income and any realized and unrealized capital gains or losses on
portfolio investments over such periods) that would equate the initial amount
invested to the redeemable value of such investment at the end of each period.
Average annual total return is computed assuming all dividends and distributions
are reinvested and taking into account all applicable recurring and nonrecurring
expenses, including the maximum sales charge in the case of Class A and Class D
shares and the CDSC that would be applicable to a complete redemption of the
investment at the end of the specified period in the case of Class B and Class C
shares.

Yield quotations will be computed based on a 30-day period by dividing (a)
the net income based on the yield of each security earned during the period by
(b) the average daily number of shares outstanding during the period that were
entitled to receive dividends multiplied by the maximum offering price per share
on the last day of the period. Tax equivalent yield quotations will be computed
by dividing (a) the part of the Fund's yield that is tax-exempt by (b) one minus
a stated tax rate and (c) adding the result to that part, if any, of the Fund's
yield that is not tax-exempt.

The Fund also may quote annual, average annual and annualized total return
and aggregate total return performance data for various periods other than those
noted below. Such data will be computed as described above, except that (1) as
required by the periods of the quotations, actual annual, annualized or
aggregate data, rather than average annual data, may be quoted and (2) the
maximum applicable sales charges will not be included with respect to annual or
annualized rates of return calculations. Aside from the impact on the
performance data calculations of including or excluding the maximum applicable
sales charges, actual annual or annualized total return data generally will be
lower than average annual total return data since the average rates of return
reflect compounding of return; aggregate total return data generally will be
higher than average annual total return data since the aggregate rates of return
reflect compounding over a longer period of time. The Fund's total return may be
expressed either as a percentage or as a dollar amount in order to illustrate
such total return on a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the Fund at the
beginning of each specified period.

On occasion, the Fund may compare its performance to that of the Standard &
Poor's 500 Index, the Value Line Composite Index, the Dow Jones Industrial
Average, other market indices or performance data published by Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc., Morningstar Publications, Inc., Money Magazine, U.S. News &
World Report, Business Week, Forbes Magazine and Fortune Magazine or other
industry publications. When comparing its performance to a market index, the
Fund may refer to various statistical measures derived from the historic
performance of the Fund and the index, such as standard deviation and beta. In
addition, from time to time the Fund may include the Fund's risk-adjusted
performance ratings assigned by Morningstar

39
<PAGE> 74

Publications, Inc. in advertising or supplemental sales literature. As with
other performance data, performance comparisons should not be considered
indicative of the Fund's relative performance for any future period.

The Fund's total return will vary depending on market conditions, the
securities comprising the Fund's portfolio, the Fund's operating expenses and
the amount of realized and unrealized net capital gains or losses during the
period. The value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate and an investor's
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

GENERAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

The Fund was incorporated under Maryland law on April 16, 1999. It has an
authorized capital of 400,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10 per
share, divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C and Class
D Common Stock, each of which consists of 100,000,000 shares. Class A, Class B,
Class C and Class D Common Stock represent an interest in the same assets of the
Fund and are identical in all respects except that the Class B, Class C and
Class D shares bear certain expenses related to the account maintenance and/or
distribution of such shares and have exclusive voting rights with respect to
matters relating to such account maintenance and/or distribution expenditures,
(except that Class B shares have certain voting rights with respect to Class B
share expenditures). The Board of Directors of the Fund may classify and
reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of Common Stock at a
future date.

Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and fractional
votes for fractional shares held and will vote on the election of Directors and
any other matter submitted to a shareholder vote. The Fund does not intend to
hold annual meetings of shareholders in any year in which the Investment Company
Act does not require shareholders to elect Directors. Also, the by-laws of the
Fund require that a special meeting of stockholders be held upon the written
request of at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote
at such meeting, if they comply with applicable Maryland law. Voting rights for
Directors are not cumulative. Shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable
and have no preemptive rights. Redemption and conversion rights are discussed
elsewhere herein and in the Prospectus. Each share is entitled to participate
equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and in the net
assets of the Fund upon liquidation or dissolution after satisfaction of
outstanding liabilities, except that expenses related to the distribution of the
shares within a class will be borne solely by such class. Stock certificates are
issued by the Transfer Agent only on specific request. Certificates for
fractional shares are not issued in any case.

The Fund may in the future invest all of its assets in another mutual fund
that has the same investment objective and fundamental policies as the Fund. All
portfolio investments would then be made at the level of the underlying mutual
fund and the Fund's investment results would correspond directly to that fund's
investment results. This type of mutual fund structure is sometimes referred to
as a "master/feeder" structure. If other entities also invest in the underlying
fund, this could enable the Fund to realize economies of scale by investing
through an entity with more assets (the underlying fund). However, there are
additional costs involved in operating a "master/feeder" structure. If these
additional costs are not offset as a result of economies of scale, it is
possible that the Fund's expenses would increase rather than decrease if it
converts to this structure. The Directors of the Fund have the authority to make
the change to a "master/feeder" structure without first holding a vote of the
Fund's shareholders if they believe it is in the best interests of the Fund to
do so.

The Manager provided the initial capital for the Fund by purchasing 10,000
shares of common stock of the Fund for $100,000. Such shares were acquired for
investment and can only be disposed of by redemption. As of the date of this
Statement of Additional Information, the Manager owned 100% of the outstanding
common stock of the Fund. The Manager may be deemed to control the Fund until
such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

40
<PAGE> 75

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Deloitte & Touche LLP, 117 Campus Drive, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, has
been selected as the independent auditors of the Fund. The selection of
independent auditors is subject to approval by the non-interested Directors of
the Fund. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the annual
financial statements of the Fund.

CUSTODIAN

The Chase Manhattan Bank, 4 Chase MetroTech Center, 18th Floor, Global
Securities Services, Brooklyn, New York 11245, (the "Custodian") acts as the
Custodian of the Fund's assets. Under its contract with the Fund, the Custodian
is authorized to establish separate accounts in foreign currencies and to cause
foreign securities owned by the Fund to be held in its offices outside the
United States and with certain foreign banks and securities depositories. The
Custodian is responsible for safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and
securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities and collecting
interest and dividends on the Fund's investments.

TRANSFER AGENT

Financial Data Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville,
Florida 32246-6484, acts as the Fund's transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent").
The Transfer Agent is responsible for the issuance, transfer and redemption of
shares and the opening, maintenance and servicing of shareholder accounts. See
"Management of the Fund -- Transfer Agency Services" in the Prospectus.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Brown & Wood LLP, One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, is
counsel for the Fund.

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The fiscal year of the Fund ends on May 31 of each year. The Fund sends to
its shareholders at least semi-annually reports showing the Fund's portfolio and
other information. An annual report, containing financial statements audited by
independent auditors, is sent to shareholders each year. After the end of each
year, shareholders will receive Federal income tax information regarding
dividends and capital gains distributions.

SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES

Shareholder inquiries may be addressed to the Fund at the address or
telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Statement of Additional
Information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain
all the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits
relating thereto, which the Fund has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Washington, D.C., under the Securities Act and the Investment
Company Act, to which reference is hereby made.

Under a separate agreement, ML & Co. has granted the Fund the right to use
the "Merrill Lynch" name and has reserved the right to withdraw its consent to
the use of such name by the Fund at any time or to grant the use of such name to
any other company, and the Fund has granted ML & Co. under certain conditions,
the use of any other name it might assume in the future, with respect to any
corporation organized by ML & Co.

41
<PAGE> 76

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors and Shareholder,

Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Merrill
Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc. as of June 17, 1999. This financial
statement is the responsibility of the Fund's management. 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. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such statement of assets and liabilities presents fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity
Fund, Inc. as of June 17, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Princeton, New Jersey

June 18, 1999

42
<PAGE> 77

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

JUNE 17, 1999

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Assets:
Cash...................................................... $100,000
Prepaid registration fees and offering costs (Note 3)..... 366,495
--------
Total Assets........................................... 466,495
Liabilities:
Liabilities and accrued expenses.......................... 366,495
--------
Net Assets.................................................. $100,000
--------
Net Assets Consist Of:
Class A Shares of Common Stock, $.10 par value,
100,000,000 shares authorized.......................... $ 250
Class B Shares of Common Stock, $.10 par value,
100,000,000 shares authorized.......................... 250
Class C Shares of Common Stock, $.10 par value,
100,000,000 shares authorized.......................... 250
Class D Shares of Common Stock, $.10 par value,
100,000,000 shares authorized.......................... 250
Paid-in Capital in excess of par.......................... 99,000
--------
Net Assets $100,000
========
Net Asset Value:
Class A -- Based on net assets of $25,000 and 2,500 shares
outstanding $ 10.00
Class B -- Based on net assets of $25,000 and 2,500 shares
outstanding $ 10.00
Class C -- Based on net assets of $25,000 and 2,500 shares
outstanding $ 10.00
Class D -- Based on net assets of $25,000 and 2,500 shares
outstanding $ 10.00
========
</TABLE>

- ---------------
Notes to Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(1) Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") was organized as a
Maryland corporation on April 16, 1999 and is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified open end management
investment company. To date, the Fund has not had any transactions other
than those relating to organizational matters and the sale of 2,500 Class A
shares, 2,500 Class B shares, 2,500 Class C shares and 2,500 Class D shares
of Common Stock to Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. (the "Manager").

(2) The Fund has entered into a management agreement with the Manager, and
distribution agreements with Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc. (the
"Distributor"). (See "Management of the Fund -- Management and Advisory
Arrangements" in the Statement of Additional Information.) Certain officers
and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of the Manager
and the Distributor.

(3) Prepaid registration fees are charged to income as the related shares are
issued. Prepaid offering costs consist of legal and printing fees related to
preparing the initial registration statement, and will be amortized over a
12 month period beginning with the commencement of operations of the Fund.
The Manager, on behalf of the Fund, will incur organization costs estimated
at $28,000.

43
<PAGE> 78

(This page intentionally left blank.)
<PAGE> 79

CODE #19060-06-99

<PAGE> 80

PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 23. EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
- -------
<C> <S> <C>
1(a) -- Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated April 16,
1999.(a)
(b) -- Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of
the Registrant, dated June 7, 1999.
2 -- By-Laws of the Registrant.(a)
3(a) -- Portions of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended and
supplemented, and By-Laws of the Registrant defining the
rights of holders of shares of common stock of the
Registrant.(b)
4(a) -- Form of Management Agreement, between the Registrant and
MLAM.(d)
(b) -- Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between MLAM and Merrill
Lynch Asset Management U.K. Limited.(d)
5(a) -- Form of Class A Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant and Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, a division
of Princeton Funds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor")
(including Form of Selected Dealers Agreement).(d)
(b) -- Form of Class B Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant and the Distributor.(d)
(c) -- Form of Class C Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant and the Distributor.(d)
(d) -- Form of Class D Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant and the Distributor.(d)
6 -- None.
7 -- Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Chase
Manhattan Bank.
8(a) -- Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder
Servicing Agency Agreement between the Registrant and
Financial Data Services, Inc.(d)
(b) -- Agreement between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Registrant
relating to Registrant's use of Merrill Lynch name.
9 -- Opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Registrant.
10 -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for
the Registrant.
11 -- None.
12 -- Certificate of Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
13(a) -- Form of Class B Distribution Plan of the Registrant and
Class B Distribution Plan Sub-Agreement.(d)
(b) -- Form of Class C Distribution Plan of the Registrant and
Class C Distribution Plan Sub-Agreement.(d)
(c) -- Form of Class D Distribution Plan of the Registrant and
Class D Distribution Plan Sub-Agreement.(d)
14 -- Not applicable.
15 -- Merrill Lynch Select Pricing(SM) System Plan pursuant to
Rule 18f-3.(c)
</TABLE>

- ---------------

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(a) Filed on April 20, 1999 as an Exhibit to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (File No. 333-76581) (the "Registration
Statement").
(b) Reference is made to Article II, Article IV, Article V
(sections 2, 3, 4 and 6), Article VI, Article VII and
Article IX of the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation,
previously filed as Exhibit (1), to the Registration
Statement, and to Article II, Article III (sections 1, 3, 5,
6 and 17), Article VI, Article VII, Article XII, Article
XIII and Article XIV of the Registrant's By-Laws previously
filed as Exhibit (2) to the Registration Statement.
(c) Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13
to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Merrill Lynch
New York Municipal Bond Fund of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust filed on January 25, 1996.
(d) Filed on May 11, 1999 as an Exhibit to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement.
</TABLE>

C-1
<PAGE> 81

ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

The Registrant is not controlled by or under common control with any other
person.

ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION.

Reference is made to Article VI of the Registrant's Articles of
Incorporation, Article VI of the Registrant's By-Laws, Section 2-418 of the
Maryland General Corporation Law and Section 9 of the Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class D Distribution Agreements.

Insofar as the conditional advancing of indemnification moneys for actions
based on the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") may be
concerned, Article VI of the Registrant's By-Laws provides that such payments
will be made only on the following conditions: (i) advances may be made only on
receipt of a written affirmation of such person's good faith belief that the
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written
undertaking to repay any such advance if it is ultimately determined that the
standard of conduct has not been met; and (ii) (a) such promise must be secured
by a security for the undertaking in form and amount acceptable to the
Registrant, (b) the Registrant is insured against losses arising by receipt by
the advance, or (c) a majority of a quorum of the Registrant's disinterested
non-party Directors, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall
determine, based upon a review of readily available facts, that at the time the
advance is proposed to be made, there is reason to believe that the person
seeking indemnification will ultimately be found to be entitled to
indemnification.

In Section 9 of the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Shares
Distribution Agreements relating to the securities being offered hereby, the
Registrant agrees to indemnify the Distributor and each person, if any, who
controls the Distributor within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"), against certain types of civil liabilities arising in
connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may
be permitted to Directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
and the principal underwriter pursuant to the foregoing provisions 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 1933 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 and the principal underwriter in connection with the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
Director, officer or controlling person or the principal underwriter in
connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE MANAGER.

Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM" or "Manager"), acts as the
investment adviser for the following open-end registered investment companies:
Merrill Lynch Adjustable Rate Securities Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Americas
Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Builder Program, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Asset Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Capital Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Convertible Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Developing Capital Markets Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Dragon Fund, Inc., Merrill
Lynch EuroFund, Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Fund
For Tomorrow, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Global Bond Fund for Investment and Retirement, Merrill Lynch Global Growth
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Holdings, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Resources
Trust, Merrill Lynch Global SmallCap Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Technology
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Utility Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Value
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Growth Fund, Merrill Lynch Healthcare Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch International
Equity Fund, Merrill Lynch Latin America Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Middle
East/Africa Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch
Pacific Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust, Merrill Lynch Real Estate
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Series Fund,
Inc., Merrill Lynch Short-Term Global Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Strategic
Dividend Fund, Merrill Lynch Technology Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury
Money Fund, Merrill Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves, Merrill Lynch Utility
Income Fund, Inc. and Merrill

C-2
<PAGE> 82

Lynch Variable Series Funds, Inc. and Hotchkis and Wiley funds (advised by
Hotchkis and Wiley, a division of MLAM); and for the following closed-end
registered investment companies: Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund,
Inc. and Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. MLAM also acts as sub-
adviser to Merrill Lynch World Strategy Portfolio and Merrill Lynch Basic Value
Equity Portfolio, two investment portfolios of EQ Advisors Trust.

Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM"), an affiliate of the Manager, acts as
the investment manager for the following open-end registered investment
companies: CBA Money Fund, CMA Government Securities Fund, CMA Money Fund, CMA
Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, CMA Tax-Exempt Fund, CMA Treasury Fund, The
Corporate Fund Accumulation Program, Inc., Financial Institutions Series Trust,
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series
Trust, Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Corporate High
Yield Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Emerging Tigers Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Federal Securities Trust, Merrill Lynch Funds for Institutions Series, Merrill
Lynch Multi-State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch
Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Phoenix Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch World Income Fund, Inc., and The Municipal Fund Accumulation
Program, Inc.; and for the following closed-end registered investment companies:
Apex Municipal Fund, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., Corporate High Yield
Fund II, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.,
Debt Strategies Fund II, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund III, Inc., Income
Opportunities Fund 1999, Inc., Income Opportunities Fund 2000, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc., MuniAssets Fund, Inc., MuniEnhanced Fund,
Inc., MuniHoldings Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings
California Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured Fund II, Inc.,
MuniHoldings California Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings California Insured
Fund IV, Inc., MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund, MuniHoldings Florida Insured
Fund II, MuniHoldings Florida Insured Fund III, MuniHoldings Florida Insured
Fund IV, MuniHoldings Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings Insured Fund II, Inc.,
MuniHoldings Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings Michigan Insured Fund, Inc.,
MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund
II, Inc., MuniHoldings New Jersey Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniHoldings New York
Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund, Inc., MuniHoldings New York
Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniHoldings New York Insured Fund III, Inc.,
MuniHoldings Pennsylvania Insured Fund, MuniInsured Fund, Inc., MuniVest Fund,
Inc., MuniVest Fund II, Inc., MuniVest Florida Fund, MuniVest Michigan Insured
Fund, Inc., MuniVest New Jersey Fund, Inc., MuniVest Pennsylvania Insured Fund,
MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Fund, Inc., MuniYield
California Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Insured Fund II, Inc.,
MuniYield Florida Fund, MuniYield Florida Insured Fund, MuniYield Fund, Inc.,
MuniYield Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield Michigan Fund, Inc., MuniYield Michigan
Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc., MuniYield New Jersey
Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New York
Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Pennsylvania Fund, MuniYield Quality Fund,
Inc., MuniYield Quality Fund II, Inc., Senior High Income Portfolio, Inc. and
Worldwide DollarVest Fund, Inc.

The address of each of these registered investment companies is P.O. Box
9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011, except that the address of Merrill Lynch
Funds for Institutions Series and Merrill Lynch Intermediate Government Bond
Fund is One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2665. The
address of FAM, MLAM, Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services") and
Princeton Administrators, L.P. ("Princeton Administrators") is also P.O. Box
9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011. The address of Princeton Funds
Distributor, Inc. ("PFD") and of Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor ("MLFD") is
P.O. Box 9081, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081. The address of Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") and Merrill Lynch & Co.,
Inc. ("ML & Co.") is World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New
York, New York 10281-1201. The address of the Fund's transfer agent, Financial
Data Services, Inc. ("FDS"), is 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida
32246-6484.

Set forth below is a list of each executive officer and partner of the
Investment Adviser indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment
of a substantial nature in which each such person or entity has been engaged
since November 1, 1996 for his, her or its own account or in the capacity of
director, officer, partner or trustee. In addition Mr. Glenn is President and
Mr. Burke is Vice President and Treasurer of all or substantially all

C-3
<PAGE> 83

of the investment companies described in the first two paragraphs of this Item
26, and Messrs. Giordano and Monagle are officers of one or more of such
companies.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION(S) WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS,
NAME THE MANAGER PROFESSION, VOCATION OR EMPLOYMENT
---- ------------------------ ----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ML & Co.......................... Limited Partner Financial Services Holding
Company; Limited Partner of FAM
Princeton Services............... General Partner General Partner of FAM
Jeffrey M. Peek.................. President President of FAM; President and
Director of Princeton Services;
Executive Vice President of ML &
Co.; Managing Director and Co-Head
of the Investment Banking Division
of Merrill Lynch (in 1997); Senior
Vice President and Director of the
Global Securities and Economics
Division of Merrill Lynch (from
1995 to 1997).
Terry K. Glenn................... Executive Vice President Executive Vice President of FAM;
Executive Vice President and
Director of Princeton Services;
President and Director of PFD;
Director of FDS; President of
Princeton Administrators
Donald C. Burke.................. Senior Vice President, Senior Vice President and
Treasurer and Director Treasurer of FAM; Senior Vice
of Taxation President and Treasurer of
Princeton Services; Vice President
of PFD; First Vice President of
the Investment Adviser from 1997
to 1999; Vice President of the
Investment Adviser from 1990 to
1997
Michael G. Clark................. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services; Treasurer and Director
of PFD; First Vice President of
the Investment Adviser from 1997
to 1999; Vice President of the
Investment Adviser from 1996 to
1997
Mark A. DeSario.................. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM
Linda L. Federici................ Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Vincent R. Giordano.............. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Michael J. Hennewinkel........... Senior Vice President, Senior Vice President, Secretary
Secretary and General and General Counsel of FAM; Senior
Counsel Vice President of Princeton
Services
Philip L. Kirstein............... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel, Director and Secretary of
Princeton Services
</TABLE>

C-4
<PAGE> 84

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION(S) WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS,
NAME THE MANAGER PROFESSION, VOCATION OR EMPLOYMENT
---- ------------------------ ----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ronald M. Kloss.................. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Debra W. Landsman-Yaros.......... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services; Vice President of PFD
Stephen M. M. Miller............. Senior Vice President Executive Vice President of
Princeton Administrators; Senior
Vice President of Princeton
Services
Joseph T. Monagle, Jr. .......... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
Brian A. Murdock................. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services;
Gregory D. Upah.................. Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM;
Senior Vice President of Princeton
Services
</TABLE>

Merrill Lynch Asset Management U.K. Limited ("MLAM U.K.") acts as
sub-adviser for the following registered investment companies: The Corporate
Fund Accumulation Program, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., Corporate High
Yield Fund II, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund,
Inc., Debt Strategies Fund II, Inc., Debt Strategies Fund III, Inc., Income
Opportunities Fund 1999, Inc., Income Opportunities Fund 2000, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Americas Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Builder Program, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Asset Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Income Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Fund, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Consults International Portfolio, Merrill Lynch Convertible Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Corporate High Yield
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Developing Capital Markets, Inc., Merrill Lynch Dragon
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Emerging Tigers Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch EuroFund,
Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Fund For Tomorrow,
Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Bond Fund
for Investment and Retirement, Merrill Lynch Global Growth Fund, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Global Holdings, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Resources Trust, Merrill Lynch
Global SmallCap Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Technology Fund, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Global Utility Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Value Fund, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Growth Fund, Merrill Lynch Healthcare Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
International Equity Fund, Merrill Lynch Latin America Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Middle East/Africa Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Pacific Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Phoenix Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Real Estate Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Series
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Short-Term Global Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Strategic Dividend Fund, Merrill Lynch Technology Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Utility Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds,
Inc., Merrill Lynch World Income Fund, Inc., The Municipal Fund Accumulation
Program, Inc. and Worldwide DollarVest Fund, Inc. The address of each of these
registered investment companies is P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey
08543-9011. The address of MLAM U.K. is 33 King William Street, London EC4R 9AS,
England.

Set forth below is a list of each executive officer and director of MLAM
U.K. indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a
substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged since July 1,
1996, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer,
partner or trustee. In addition,

C-5
<PAGE> 85

Messrs. Glenn, Burke and Albert are officers of one or more of the registered
investment companies listed in the first two paragraphs of this Item 26:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS,
NAME POSITIONS WITH MLAM U.K. PROFESSION, VOCATION OR EMPLOYMENT
---- --------------------------- --------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Terry K. Glenn................. Director and Chairman Executive Vice President of MLAM and
FAM; Executive Vice President and
Director of Princeton Services;
President and Director of PFD;
President of Princeton Administrators
Alan J. Albert................. Senior Managing Director Vice President of MLAM
Nicholas C.D. Hall............. Director Director of Merrill Lynch Europe PLC;
General Counsel of Merrill Lynch
International Private Banking Group
Donald C. Burke................ Treasurer Senior Vice President and Treasurer of
MLAM and FAM; Director of Taxation of
MLAM; Senior Vice President and
Treasurer of Princeton Services; Vice
President of PFD; First Vice President
of MLAM from 1997 to 1999; Vice
President of MLAM from 1990 to 1997
Carol Ann Langham.............. Company Secretary None
Debra Anne Searle.............. Assistant Company Secretary None
</TABLE>

ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.

(a) MLFD, a division of PFD, acts as the principal underwriter for the
Registrant and for each of the open-end registered investment companies referred
to in the first two paragraphs of Item 26 except CBA Money Fund, CMA Government
Securities Fund, CMA Money Fund, CMA Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, CMA
Tax-Exempt Fund, CMA Treasury Fund, The Corporate Fund Accumulation Program,
Inc. and The Municipal Fund Accumulation Program, Inc.; MLFD also acts as the
principal underwriter for the following closed-end registered investment
companies: Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
A separate division of PFD acts as the principal underwriter of a number of
other investment companies.

(b) Set forth below is information concerning each director and officer of
PFD. The principal business address of each such person is P.O. Box 9081,
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081, except that the address of Messrs. Breen,
Crook, Fatseas and Wasel is One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston,
Massachusetts 02111-2665.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITION(S) AND OFFICE(S) POSITION(S) AND OFFICE(S)
NAME WITH PFD WITH REGISTRANT
---- ---------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Terry K. Glenn........................... President and Director President and Director
Michael G. Clark......................... Treasurer and Director None
Thomas J. Verage......................... Director None
Robert W. Crook.......................... Senior Vice President None
Michael J. Brady......................... Vice President None
William M. Breen......................... Vice President None
Donald C. Burke.......................... Vice President Vice President and
Treasurer
James T. Fatseas......................... Vice President None
Debra W. Landsman-Yaros.................. Vice President None
Michelle T. Lau.......................... Vice President None
Salvatore Venezia........................ Vice President None
William Wasel............................ Vice President None
Robert Harris............................ Secretary None
</TABLE>

C-6
<PAGE> 86

ITEM 28. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder are maintained at the
offices of the Registrant (800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey
08536), and its transfer agent, Financial Data Services, Inc. (4800 Deer Lake
Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484).

ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

Other than as set forth under the caption "Management of the
Fund -- Merrill Lynch Asset Management" in the Prospectus constituting Part A of
the Registration Statement and under "Management of the Fund -- Management and
Advisory Arrangements" in the Statement of Additional Information constituting
Part B of the Registration Statement, the Registrant is not a party to any
management-related service contract.

ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS.

Not applicable.

C-7
<PAGE> 87

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to
its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of Plainsboro, and State of New
Jersey, on the 18th day of June, 1999.

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND,
INC. (Registrant)

By: /s/ DONALD C. BURKE

------------------------------------

(Donald C. Burke,

Vice President and Treasurer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Pre-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
---------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
TERRY K. GLENN* President and Director
- ----------------------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive
(Terry K. Glenn) Officer)

/s/ DONALD C. BURKE Treasurer (Principal June 18, 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------- Financial and Accounting
(Donald C. Burke) Officer)

DONALD CECIL* Director
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Donald Cecil)

M. COLYER CRUM* Director
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(M. Colyer Crum)

EDWARD H. MEYER* Director
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Edward H. Meyer)

JACK B. SUNDERLAND* Director
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Jack B. Sunderland)

J. THOMAS TOUCHTON* Director
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(J. Thomas Touchton)

FRED G. WEISS* Director
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Fred G. Weiss)

ARTHUR ZEIKEL* Director
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Arthur Zeikel)

*By: /s/ DONALD C. BURKE June 18, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------
(Donald C. Burke, Attorney-in-Fact)
</TABLE>

C-8
<PAGE> 88

EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
<C> <S> <C>
1(b) -- Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of
the Registrant, dated June 7, 1999.
7 -- Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Chase
Manhattan Bank.
9 -- Opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, counsel for the Registrant.
10 -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for
the Registrant.
12 -- Certificate of Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
</TABLE>

C-9

<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 1(b)

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED GROWTH FUND, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO THE
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED GROWTH FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the
"Corporation"), does hereby certify to the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation of Maryland that:

FIRST: The charter of the Corporation is hereby amended by deleting
Article I thereof in its entirety and inserting the following in lieu thereof:

"ARTICLE I.
NAME

The name of the corporation is MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND,
INC. (the "Corporation")."

SECOND: The charter of the Corporation is hereby further amended by
deleting Article II, Section (2) in its entirety and inserting the following in
lieu thereof:

"(2) To hold, invest and reinvest its assets in securities, and in
connection therewith, without limiting the foregoing, to hold part or all
of its assets (a) in cash and/or (b) in shares of another corporation
known in the investment company industry as a master fund in a
master/feeder structure, which corporation holds securities and other
assets for investment purposes (the "Master Fund")."

THIRD: The charter of the Corporation is hereby further amended by adding
the following provision as Article II, Section (5), and renumbering Article II,
Section (5) thereof as Article II, Section (6):

"(5) To transfer all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation
(or the assets of any series thereof) to the Master Fund, in exchange for
shares in the Master Fund or for such other consideration as permitted by
the General Laws of the State of Maryland and the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (all without the vote or consent of the stockholders
of the Corporation), and all such actions, regardless of the frequency
with which they are pursued, shall be deemed in furtherance of the
ordinary, usual and customary business of the Corporation."

FOURTH: The charter of the Corporation is hereby further amended by
deleting Article IV, Section (5) in its entirety and inserting the following in
lieu thereof:

<PAGE> 2

"(5) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the charter of the
Corporation, including those matters set forth in Article II, Sections
(2), (4) and (5) hereof and including any Articles Supplementary creating
any class or series of capital stock, on each matter submitted to a vote
of stockholders, each holder of a share of capital stock of the
Corporation shall be entitled to one vote for each share standing in such
holder's name on the books of the Corporation, irrespective of the class
or series thereof, and all shares of all classes and series shall vote
together as a single class; provided, however, that (a) as to any matter
with respect to which a separate vote of any class or series is required
by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and in effect from
time to time, or any rules, regulations or orders issued thereunder, or
by the Maryland General Corporation Law, such requirement as to a
separate vote by that class or series shall apply in lieu of a general
vote of all classes and series as described above, (b) in the event that
the separate vote requirements referred to in (a) above apply with
respect to one or more classes or series, then, subject to paragraph (c)
below, the shares of all other classes and series not entitled to a
separate class vote shall vote as a single class, (c) as to any matter
which does not affect the interest of a particular class or series, such
class or series shall not be entitled to any vote and only the holders of
shares of the affected classes and series, if any, shall be entitled to
vote and (d) the shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall have no
voting rights in connection with the transfer of all or substantially all
the assets of the Corporation (or the assets of any series thereof) to
the Master Fund in exchange for shares in such Master Fund or for such
other consideration as permitted by Maryland General Corporation Law and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended."

FIFTH: The charter of the Corporation is hereby further amended by adding
the following provision as Article V, Section (8):

"(8) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles of
Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation, or the General Laws of
the State of Maryland, the transfer of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Corporation (or the assets of any series thereof) to the
Master Fund shall be deemed to be in the ordinary course of business of
the Corporation, and the Board of Directors of the Corporation is vested
with the sole power, to the exclusion of the stockholders, upon the
affirmative vote of the majority of the entire Board of Directors, to
transfer all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation (or the
assets of any series thereof) to the Master Fund in exchange for shares
in such Master Fund or for such other consideration as permitted by the
General Laws of the State of Maryland and the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended."

2
<PAGE> 3

SIXTH: Pursuant to Section 2-607 of the Maryland General Corporation Law,
these Articles of Amendment amend the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation.

SEVENTH: These Articles of Amendment have been approved by a majority of
the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation, there being no stock
outstanding or subscribed for at the time of approval.

EIGHTH: The authorized capital stock of the Corporation has not been
increased by these Articles of Amendment.

NINTH: Except as amended hereby, the Corporation's charter shall remain
in full force and effect.

3
<PAGE> 4

The undersigned President acknowledges these Articles of Amendment to be
the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to
be verified under oath, the undersigned President acknowledges that to the best
of his knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth in
these Articles of Amendment with respect to the authorization and approval of
the amendment of the Corporation's charter are true in all material respects,
and that this statement is made under the penalties of perjury.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED GROWTH FUND, INC. has
caused these Articles of Amendment to be signed in its name and on its behalf by
its President and attested to by its Secretary as of the 7th day of June, 1999.

Merrill Lynch Disciplined Growth Fund, Inc.
(a Maryland corporation)

By: /S/ DONALD C. BURKE
----------------------------------------------
Donald C. Burke, Vice President and Treasurer

ATTEST:

/S/ PHILLIP S. GILLESPIE
- -----------------------------------------
Phillip S. Gillespie, Secretary

<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 7
[CHASE LOGO]

GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT

This AGREEMENT is effective ___________________, 1999, and is between THE
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK ("Bank") and __________________________________________
("Customer").

1. CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS.

Bank, acting as "Securities Intermediary" (as defined in Section 15(g)
hereof) shall establish and maintain the following accounts ("Accounts"): (a) a
Custody Account (as defined in Section 15(b) hereof) in the name of Customer for
Financial Assets, which shall, except as modified by Section 15(d) hereof, mean
stocks, shares, bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other obligations for the
payment of money, bullion, coin and any certificates, receipts, warrants or
other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the
same or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein and
other similar property whether certificated or uncertificated as may be received
by Bank or its Subcustodian (as defined in Section 3 hereof) for the account of
Customer, including as an "Entitlement Holder" as defined in Section 15(c)
hereof); and

(b) an account in the name of Customer ("Deposit Account") for any and all
cash in any currency received by Bank or its Subcustodian for the account of
Customer, which cash shall not be subject to withdrawal by draft or check.

Customer warrants its authority to: 1) deposit the cash and Financial
Assets (collectively "Assets") received in the Accounts and 2) give
Instructions (as defined in Section 11 hereof) concerning the Accounts. Bank
may deliver Financial Assets of the same class in place of those deposited in
the Custody Account.

Upon written agreement between Bank and Customer, additional Accounts may
be established and separately accounted for as additional Accounts hereunder.

2. MAINTENANCE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND CASH AT BANK AND SUBCUSTODIAN
LOCATIONS.

Unless Instructions specifically require another location acceptable to
Bank:

(a) Financial Assets shall be held in the country or other jurisdiction in
which the principal trading market for such Financial Assets is located, where
such Financial Assets are to be presented for payment or where such Financial
Assets are acquired; and

(b) Cash shall be credited to an account in a country or other
jurisdiction in which such cash may be legally deposited or is the legal
currency for the payment of public or private debts.

Cash may be held pursuant to Instructions in either interest or
non-interest bearing accounts as may be available for the particular currency.
To the extent Instructions are issued and Bank can comply with such
Instructions, Bank is authorized to maintain cash balances on deposit for
Customer with itself or one of its "Affiliates" at such reasonable rates of
interest as may from time to time be paid on such accounts, or in non-interest
bearing accounts as Customer may direct, if acceptable to Bank. For purposes
hereof, the term "Affiliate" shall mean an entity controlling, controlled by, or
under common control with, Bank.

<PAGE> 2

If Customer wishes to have any of its Assets held in the custody of an
institution other than the established Subcustodians as defined in Section 3 (or
their securities depositories), such arrangement must be authorized by a written
agreement, signed by Bank and Customer.

3. SUBCUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.

Bank may act hereunder through the subcustodians listed in Schedule A
hereof with which Bank has entered into subcustodial agreements
("Subcustodians"). Customer authorizes Bank to hold Assets in the Accounts in
accounts which Bank has established with one or more of its branches or
Subcustodians. Bank and Subcustodians are authorized to hold any of Financial
Assets in their account with any securities depository in which they
participate.

Bank reserves the right to add new, replace or remove Subcustodians.
Customer shall be given reasonable notice by Bank of any amendment to Schedule
A. Upon request by Customer, Bank shall identify the name, address and principal
place of business of any Subcustodian of Customer's Assets and the name and
address of the governmental agency or other regulatory authority that supervises
or regulates such Subcustodian.

4. USE OF SUBCUSTODIAN.

(a) Bank shall identify the Assets on its books as belonging to Customer.

(b) A Subcustodian shall hold such Assets together with assets belonging
to other customers of Bank in accounts identified on such Subcustodian's books
as custody accounts for the exclusive benefit of customers of Bank.

(c) Any Assets in the Accounts held by a Subcustodian shall be subject
only to the instructions of Bank or its agent. Any Financial Assets held in a
securities depository for the account of a Subcustodian shall be subject only to
the instructions of such Subcustodian.

(d) Any agreement Bank enters into with a Subcustodian for holding Bank's
customers' assets shall provide that such assets shall not be subject to any
right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such
Subcustodian except for safe custody or administration, and that the beneficial
ownership of such assets shall be freely transferable without the payment of
money or value other than for safe custody or administration, or, in the case of
cash deposits, except for liens or rights in favor of creditors of the
Subcustodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws. Where
Securities are deposited by a Subcustodian with a securities depository, Bank
shall cause the Subcustodian to identify on its books as belonging to Bank, as
agent, the Securities shown on the Subcustodian's account on the books of such
securities depository. The foregoing shall not apply to the extent of any
special agreement or arrangement made by Customer with any particular
Subcustodian.

5. DEPOSIT ACCOUNT TRANSACTIONS.

(a) Bank or its Subcustodians shall make payments from the Deposit Account
upon receipt of Instructions which include all information required by Bank.

(b) In the event that any payment to be made under this Section 5 exceeds
the funds available in the Deposit Account, Bank, in its discretion, may advance
Customer such excess amount which shall be deemed a loan payable on demand,
bearing interest at the rate customarily charged by Bank on similar loans.

(c) If Bank credits the Deposit Account on a payable date, or at any time
prior to actual collection and reconciliation to the Deposit Account, with
interest, dividends, redemptions or any other amount due, Customer shall
promptly return any such amount upon oral or written notification: (i) that such
amount has not

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<PAGE> 3

been received in the ordinary course of business or (ii) that such amount was
incorrectly credited. If Customer does not promptly return any amount upon such
notification, Bank shall be entitled, upon oral or written notification to
Customer, to reverse such credit by debiting the Deposit Account for the amount
previously credited. Bank or its Subcustodian shall have no duty or obligation
to institute legal proceedings, file a claim or a proof of claim in any
insolvency proceeding or take any other action with respect to the collection of
such amount, but may act for Customer upon Instructions after consultation with
Customer.

6. CUSTODY ACCOUNT TRANSACTIONS.

(a) Financial Assets shall be transferred, exchanged or delivered by Bank
or its Subcustodian upon receipt by Bank of Instructions which include all
information required by Bank. Settlement and payment for Financial Assets
received for, and delivery of Financial Assets out of, the Custody Account may
be made in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or
securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in
which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery of
Financial Assets to a purchaser, dealer or their agents against a receipt with
the expectation of receiving later payment and free delivery. Delivery of
Financial Assets out of the Custody Account may also be made in any manner
specifically required by Instructions acceptable to Bank.

(b) Bank, in its discretion, may credit or debit the Accounts on a
contractual settlement date with cash or Financial Assets with respect to any
sale, exchange or purchase of Financial Assets. Otherwise, such transactions
shall be credited or debited to the Accounts on the date cash or Financial
Assets are actually received by Bank and reconciled to the Account.

(i) Bank may reverse credits or debits made to the Accounts in its
discretion if the related transaction fails to settle within a reasonable
period, determined by Bank in its discretion, after the contractual
settlement date for the related transaction.

(ii) If any Financial Assets delivered pursuant to this Section 6
are returned by the recipient thereof, Bank may reverse the credits and
debits of the particular transaction at any time.

7. ACTIONS OF BANK.

Bank shall follow Instructions received regarding Assets held in the
Accounts. However, until it receives Instructions to the contrary, Bank shall:

(a) Present for payment any Financial Assets which are called, redeemed or
retired or otherwise become payable and all coupons and other income items which
call for payment upon presentation, to the extent that Bank or Subcustodian is
actually aware of such opportunities.

(b) Execute in the name of Customer such ownership and other certificates
as may be required to obtain payments in respect of Financial Assets.

(d) Appoint brokers and agents for any transaction involving the Financial
Assets, including, without limitation, Affiliates of Bank or any Subcustodian.

(e) Issue statements to Customer, at times mutually agreed upon,
identifying the Assets in the Accounts.

Bank shall send Customer an advice or notification of any transfers of
Assets to or from the Accounts. Such statements, advices or notifications shall
indicate the identity of the entity having custody of the Assets. Unless
Customer sends Bank a written exception or objection to any Bank statement
within sixty (60) days of

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<PAGE> 4

receipt, Customer shall be deemed to have approved such statement. In such
event, or where Customer has otherwise approved any such statement, Bank shall,
to the extent permitted by law, be released, relieved and discharged with
respect to all matters set forth in such statement or reasonably implied
therefrom as though it had been settled by the decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction in an action where Customer and all persons having or claiming an
interest in Customer or Customer's Accounts were parties.

All collections of funds or other property paid or distributed in respect
of Financial Assets in the Custody Account shall be made at the risk of
Customer. Bank shall have no liability for any loss occasioned by delay in the
actual receipt of notice by Bank or by its Subcustodians of any payment,
redemption or other transaction regarding Financial Assets in the Custody
Account in respect of which Bank has agreed to take any action hereunder.

8. CORPORATE ACTIONS; PROXIES; TAX RECLAIMS.

(a) Corporate Actions. Whenever Bank receives information concerning the
Financial Assets which requires discretionary action by the beneficial owner of
the Financial Assets (other than a proxy), such as subscription rights, bonus
issues, stock repurchase plans and rights offerings, or legal notices or other
material intended to be transmitted to securities holders ("Corporate Actions"),
Bank shall give Customer notice of such Corporate Actions to the extent that
Bank's central corporate actions department has actual knowledge of a Corporate
Action in time to notify its customers.

When a rights entitlement or a fractional interest resulting from a rights
issue, stock dividend, stock split or similar Corporate Action is received which
bears an expiration date, Bank shall endeavor to obtain Instructions from
Customer or its Authorized Person (as defined in Section 10 hereof), but if
Instructions are not received in time for Bank to take timely action, or actual
notice of such Corporate Action was received too late to seek Instructions, Bank
is authorized to sell such rights entitlement or fractional interest and to
credit the Deposit Account with the proceeds or take any other action it deems,
in good faith, to be appropriate in which case it shall be held harmless for any
such action.

(b) Proxy Voting. Bank shall provide proxy voting services, if elected by
Customer, in accordance with the terms of the proxy voting services rider
hereto. Proxy voting services may be provided by Bank or, in whole or in part,
by one or more third parties appointed by Bank (which may be Affiliates of
Bank).

(i) Subject to the provisions hereof, Bank shall apply for a
reduction of withholding tax and any refund of any tax paid or tax credits
which apply in each applicable market in respect of income payments on
Financial Assets for the benefit of Customer which Bank believes may be
available to such Customer.

(ii) The provision of tax reclaim services by Bank is conditional
upon Bank receiving from the beneficial owner of Financial Assets (A) a
declaration of its identity and place of residence and (B) certain other
documentation (pro forma copies of which are available from Bank).
Customer acknowledges that, if Bank does not receive such declarations,
documentation and information, additional United Kingdom taxation shall be
deducted from all income received in respect of Financial Assets issued
outside the United Kingdom and that U.S. non-resident alien tax or U.S.
backup withholding tax shall be deducted from U.S. source income. Customer
shall provide to Bank such documentation and information as it may require
in connection with taxation, and warrants that, when given, this
information shall be true and correct in every respect, not misleading in
any way, and contain all material information. Customer undertakes to
notify Bank immediately if any such information requires updating or
amendment.

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<PAGE> 5

(iii) Bank shall not be liable to Customer or any third party for
any taxes, fines or penalties payable by Bank or Customer, and shall be
indemnified accordingly, whether these result from the inaccurate
completion of documents by Customer or any third party acting as agent for
Customer, or as a result of the provision to Bank or any third party of
inaccurate or misleading information or the withholding of material
information by Customer or any other third party, or as a result of any
delay of any revenue authority or any other matter beyond the control of
Bank.

(iv) Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to deduct from any
cash received or credited to the Deposit Account any taxes or levies
required by any revenue or governmental authority for whatever reason in
respect of the Securities or Cash Accounts.

(v) Bank shall perform tax reclaim services only with respect to
taxation levied by the revenue authorities of the countries notified to
Customer from time to time and Bank may, by notification in writing, at
its absolute discretion, supplement or amend the markets in which the tax
reclaim services are offered. Other than as expressly provided in this
sub-clause, Bank shall have no responsibility with regard to Customer's
tax position or status in any jurisdiction.

(vi) Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to disclose any
information requested by any revenue authority or any governmental body in
relation to Customer or the Financial Assets and/or Cash held for
Customer.

(vii) Tax reclaim services may be provided by Bank or, in whole or
in part, by one or more third parties appointed by Bank (which may be
Affiliates of Bank); provided that Bank shall be liable for the
performance of any such third party to the same extent as Bank would have
been if it performed such services itself.

9. NOMINEES.

Financial Assets which are ordinarily held in registered form may be
registered in a nominee name of Bank, Subcustodian or securities depository, as
the case may be. Bank may without notice to Customer cause any such Financial
Assets to cease to be registered in the name of any such nominee and to be
registered in the name of Customer. In the event that any Financial Assets
registered in a nominee name are called for partial redemption by the issuer,
Bank may allot the called portion to the respective beneficial holders of such
class of security in any manner Bank deems to be fair and equitable. Customer
shall hold Bank, Subcustodians, and their respective nominees harmless from any
liability arising directly or indirectly from their status as a mere record
holder of Financial Assets in the Custody Account.

10. AUTHORIZED PERSONS.

As used herein, the term "Authorized Person" means employees or agents
including investment managers as have been designated by written notice from
Customer or its designated agent to act on behalf of Customer hereunder. Such
persons shall continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as Bank receives
Instructions from Customer or its designated agent that any such employee or
agent is no longer an Authorized Person.

11. INSTRUCTIONS.

The term "Instructions" means instructions of any Authorized Person
received by Bank, via telephone, telex, facsimile transmission, bank wire or
other teleprocess or electronic instruction or trade information system
acceptable to Bank which Bank believes in good faith to have been given by
Authorized Persons or which are transmitted with proper testing or
authentication pursuant to terms and conditions which Bank may specify. Unless
otherwise expressly provided, all Instructions shall continue in full force and
effect until canceled or superseded. The term "Instructions" includes, without
limitation, instructions to sell, assign, transfer, deliver,

5
<PAGE> 6

purchase or receive for the Custody Account, any and all stocks, bonds and other
Financial Assets or to transfer funds in the Cash Account.)

Any Instructions delivered to Bank by telephone shall promptly thereafter
be confirmed in writing by an Authorized Person (which confirmation may bear the
facsimile signature of such Person), but Customer shall hold Bank harmless for
the failure of an Authorized Person to send such confirmation in writing, the
failure of such confirmation to conform to the telephone instructions received
or Bank's failure to produce such confirmation at any subsequent time. Bank may
electronically record any Instructions given by telephone, and any other
telephone discussions with respect to the Custody Account. Customer shall be
responsible for safeguarding any testkeys, identification codes or other
security devices which Bank shall make available to Customer or its Authorized
Persons.

12. STANDARD OF CARE; LIABILITIES.

(a) Bank shall be responsible for the performance of only such duties as
are set forth herein or expressly contained in Instructions which are consistent
with the provisions hereof as follows:

(i) Bank shall use reasonable care with respect to its obligations
hereunder and the safekeeping of Assets. The Bank shall be liable to the
Customer for any loss which shall occur as the result of the failure of a
Subcustodian to exercise reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping
of such Assets to the same extent that the Bank would be liable to the
Customer if the Bank were holding such Assets in New York. In the event of
any loss to Customer by reason of the failure of Bank or its Subcustodian
to utilize reasonable care, Bank shall be liable to Customer only to the
extent of Customer's direct damages, to be determined based on the market
value of the property which is the subject of the loss at the date of
discovery of such loss and without reference to any special conditions or
circumstances. Bank shall have no liability whatsoever for any
consequential, special, indirect or speculative loss or damages
(including, but not limited to, lost profits) suffered by Customer in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the relationship
established hereby even if Bank has been advised as to the possibility of
the same and regardless of the form of the action.

(ii) Bank shall not be responsible for the insolvency of any
Subcustodian which is not a branch or Affiliate of Bank. Bank shall not be
responsible for any act, omission, default or the solvency of any broker
or agent which it or a Subcustodian appoints unless such appointment was
made negligently or in bad faith.

(iii) Bank shall be indemnified by, and without liability to
Customer for any action taken or omitted by Bank whether pursuant to
Instructions or otherwise within the scope hereof if such act or omission
was in good faith, without negligence. In performing its obligations
hereunder, Bank may rely on the genuineness of any document which it
believes in good faith to have been validly executed.

(iv) Customer shall pay for and hold Bank harmless from any
liability or loss resulting from the imposition or assessment of any taxes
or other governmental charges, and any related expenses with respect to
income from or Assets in the Accounts.

(v) Bank shall be entitled to rely, and may act, upon the advice of
counsel (who may be counsel for Customer) on all matters and shall be
without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to
such advice.

(vi) Bank need not maintain any insurance for the benefit of
Customer.

(vii) Without limiting the foregoing, Bank shall not be liable for
any loss which results from: 1) the general risk of investing, or 2)
investing or holding Assets in a particular country including, but not
limited to, losses resulting from malfunction, interruption of or error in
the transmission of information

6
<PAGE> 7

caused by any machines or system or interruption of communication
facilities, abnormal operating conditions, nationalization, expropriation
or other governmental actions; regulation of the banking or securities
industry; currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; and market
conditions which prevent the orderly execution of securities transactions
or affect the value of Assets.

(viii) Neither party shall be liable to the other for any loss due
to forces beyond their control including, but not limited to strikes or
work stoppages, acts of war (whether declared or undeclared) or terrorism,
insurrection, revolution, nuclear fusion, fission or radiation, or acts of
God.

(b) Consistent with and without limiting the first paragraph of this
Section 12, it is specifically acknowledged that Bank shall have no duty or
responsibility to:

(i) question Instructions or make any suggestions to Customer or an
Authorized Person regarding such Instructions;

(ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments
or the retention of Financial Assets;

(iii) advise Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any default
in the payment of principal or income of any security other than as
provided in Section 5(c) hereof;

(iv) evaluate or report to Customer or an Authorized Person
regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent or other party to
which Financial Assets are delivered or payments are made pursuant hereto;
and

(v) review or reconcile trade confirmations received from brokers.
Customer or its Authorized Persons issuing Instructions shall bear any
responsibility to review such confirmations against Instructions issued to
and statements issued by Bank.

(c) Customer authorizes Bank to act hereunder notwithstanding that Bank or
any of its divisions or Affiliates may have a material interest in a
transaction, or circumstances are such that Bank may have a potential conflict
of duty or interest including the fact that Bank or any of its Affiliates may
provide brokerage services to other customers, act as financial advisor to the
issuer of Financial Assets, act as a lender to the issuer of Financial Assets,
act in the same transaction as agent for more than one customer, have a material
interest in the issue of Financial Assets, or earn profits from any of the
activities listed herein.

13. FEES AND EXPENSES.

Customer shall pay Bank for its services hereunder the fees set forth in
Schedule B hereto or such other amounts as may be agreed upon in writing,
together with Bank's reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including,
but not limited to, legal fees. Bank shall have a lien on and is authorized to
charge any Accounts of Customer for any amount owing to Bank under any provision
hereof

14. MISCELLANEOUS.

(a) Foreign Exchange Transactions. To facilitate the administration of
Customer's trading and investment activity, Bank is authorized to enter into
spot or forward foreign exchange contracts with Customer or an Authorized Person
for Customer and may also provide foreign exchange through its subsidiaries,
Affiliates or Subcustodians. Instructions, including standing instructions, may
be issued with respect to such contracts but Bank may establish rules or
limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available. In all
cases where Bank, its subsidiaries, Affiliates or Subcustodians enter into a
foreign exchange contract related to Accounts, the terms and conditions of the
then current foreign exchange contract of Bank, its subsidiary, Affiliate or
Subcustodian and, to the extent not inconsistent, this Agreement shall apply to
such transaction.

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<PAGE> 8

(b) Certification of Residency, etc. Customer certifies that it is a
resident of the United States and shall notify Bank of any changes in residency.
Bank may rely upon this certification or the certification of such other facts
as may be required to administer Bank's obligations hereunder. Customer shall
indemnify Bank against all losses, liability, claims or demands arising directly
or indirectly from any such certifications.

(c) Access to Records. Bank shall allow Customer's independent public
accountant reasonable access to the records of Bank relating to the Assets as is
required in connection with their examination of books and records pertaining to
Customer's affairs. Subject to restrictions under applicable law, Bank shall
also obtain an undertaking to permit Customer's independent public accountants
reasonable access to the records of any Subcustodian which has physical
possession of any Assets as may be required in connection with the examination
of Customer's books and records.

(d) Governing Law; Successors and Assigns, Captions THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE
AND TO BE PERFORMED IN NEW YORK and shall not be assignable by either party, but
shall bind the successors in interest of Customer and Bank. The captions given
to the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and are not to be used to interpret this Agreement.

(e) Entire Agreement; Applicable Riders. Customer represents that the
Assets deposited in the Accounts are (Check one):

______ Investment Company assets subject to certain U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and regulations;

______ Other (specify)

This Agreement consists exclusively of this document together with
Schedules A and B, Exhibits I - _______ and the following Rider(s) [Check
applicable rider(s)]:

______ INVESTMENT COMPANY

______ PROXY VOTING

______ SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

There are no other provisions hereof and this Agreement supersedes any
other agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties. Any amendment
hereto must be in writing, executed by both parties.

(f) Severability. In the event that one or more provisions hereof are held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular
circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability
of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other
jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected
or impaired.

(g) Waiver. Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on
the part of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder operates as
a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude
any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No
waiver by a party of any provision hereof, or waiver of any breach or default,
is effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver
is to be enforced.

(h) Representations and Warranties. (i) Customer hereby represents and
warrants to Bank that: (A) it has full authority and power to deposit and
control the Financial Assets and cash deposited in the

8
<PAGE> 9

Accounts; (B) it has all necessary authority to use Bank as its custodian; (C)
this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable
in accordance with its terms; (D) it shall have full authority and power to
borrow moneys and enter into foreign exchange transactions; and (E) it has not
relied on any oral or written representation made by Bank or any person on its
behalf, and acknowledges that this Agreement sets out to the fullest extent the
duties of Bank. (ii) Bank hereby represents and warrants to Customer that: (A)
it has the full power and authority to perform its obligations hereunder, (B)
this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation; enforceable
in accordance with its terms; and (C) that it has taken all necessary action to
authorize the execution and delivery hereof.

(i) Notices. All notices hereunder shall be effective when actually
received. Any notices or other communications which may be required
hereunder are to be sent to the parties at the following addresses or such
other addresses as may subsequently be given to the other party in writing:
(a) Bank: The Chase Manhattan Bank, 4 Chase MetroTech Center, Brooklyn,
N.Y. 11245, Attention: Global Investor Services, Investment Management
Group; and (b) Customer: __________________________.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(j) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by Customer or Bank by
giving sixty (60) days written notice to the other, provided that such notice to
Bank shall specify the names of the persons to whom Bank shall deliver the
Assets in the Accounts. If notice of termination is given by Bank, Customer
shall, within sixty (60) days following receipt of the notice, deliver to Bank
Instructions specifying the names of the persons to whom Bank shall deliver the
Assets. In either case Bank shall deliver the Assets to the persons so
specified, after deducting any amounts which Bank determines in good faith to be
owed to it under Section 13. If within sixty (60) days following receipt of a
notice of termination by Bank, Bank does not receive Instructions from Customer
specifying the names of the persons to whom Bank shall deliver the Assets, Bank,
at its election, may deliver the Assets to a bank or trust company doing
business in the State of New York to be held and disposed of pursuant to the
provisions hereof, or to Authorized Persons, or may continue to hold the Assets
until Instructions are provided to Bank.

(k) Money Laundering. Customer warrants and undertakes to Bank for itself
and its agents that all Customer's customers are properly identified in
accordance with U.S. Money Laundering Regulations as in effect from time to
time.

(l) Imputation of certain information. Bank shall not be held responsible
for and shall not be required to have regard to information held by any person
by imputation or information of which Bank is not aware by virtue of a "Chinese
Wall" arrangement. If Bank becomes aware of confidential information which in
good faith it feels inhibits it from effecting a transaction hereunder Bank may
refrain from effecting it.

15. DEFINITIONS.

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning hereinafter
stated:

a) "Certificated Security" shall mean a security that is represented by a
certificate.

b) "Custody Account" means each Securities custody account on Bank's records
to which Financial Assets are or may be credited pursuant hereto.

c) "Entitlement Holder" shall mean the person on the records of a Securities
Intermediary as the person having a Securities Entitlement against the
Securities Intermediary.

d) "Financial Asset" shall mean, as the context requires, either the asset
itself or the means by which a person's claim to it is evidenced, including a
Certificated Security or Uncertificated Security, a security certificate, or
a Securities Entitlement.

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<PAGE> 10

e) "Securities" means stocks, bonds, rights, warrants and other negotiable
and non-negotiable paper whether issued as Certificated Securities or
Uncertificated Securities and commonly traded or dealt in on securities
exchanges or financial markets, and other obligations of an issuer, or
shares, participations and interests in an issuer recognized in an area in
which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment and any other
property as shall be acceptable to Bank for the Custody Account.

f) "Securities Entitlement" shall mean the rights and property interest of an
Entitlement Holder with respect to a Financial Asset as set forth in Part 5
of the Uniform Commercial Code.

g) "Securities Intermediary" shall mean Bank, a Subcustodian, a securities
depository, and any other financial institution which in the ordinary course
of business maintains custody accounts for others and acts in that capacity.

h) "Uncertificated Security" shall mean a security that is not represented by
a certificate.

i) "Uniform Commercial Code" means Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code
of the State of New York, as the same may be amended from time to time.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first-above written.

CUSTOMER

By:
-------------------------------
Title:
Date:

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

By:
-------------------------------
Title:
Date:

165429

10
<PAGE> 11

STATE OF )
: ss.

COUNTY OF )

On this day of , 199 , before me personally came
, to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did
depose and say that he/she resides in at , that he/she is of , the
entity described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he/she
knows the seal of said entity, that the seal affixed to said instrument is such
seal, that it was so affixed by order of said entity, and that he/she signed
his/her name thereto by like order.

Sworn to before me this ________
day of , 199 .

Notary

<PAGE> 12

STATE OF NEW YORK )

: ss.

COUNTY OF NEW YORK )

On this day of , 199 , before me personally came
, to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did
depose and say that he/she resides in at ; that he/she is a Vice
President of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, the corporation described in and which
executed the foregoing instrument; that he/she knows the seal of said
corporation, that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal,
that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation,
and that he/she signed his/her name thereto by like order.

Sworn to before me this _______
day of , 199 .

Notary

<PAGE> 13

Investment Company Rider to Global Custody Agreement

Between The Chase Manhattan Bank and

------------------------------------------

effective
------------------------

The following modifications are made to the Agreement:

A. Add a new Section 16 to the Agreement as follows:

"16. COMPLIANCE WITH SEC RULE 17F-5.

(a) Customer's board of directors (or equivalent body) (hereinafter
'Board') hereby delegates to Bank, and, except as to the country or countries as
to which Bank may, from time to time, advise Customer that it does not accept
such delegation, Bank hereby accepts the delegation to it, of the obligation to
perform as Customer's 'Foreign Custody Manager' (as that term is defined in SEC
rule 17f-5(a)(2) s promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("1940 Act")), both for the purpose of selecting Eligible Foreign
Custodians (as that term is defined in SEC rule 17f-5(a)(1), and as the same may
be amended from time to time, or that have otherwise been made exempt pursuant
to an SEC exemptive order) to hold Financial Assets and Cash and of evaluating
the contractual arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians (as set forth
in SEC rule 17f-5(c)(2)); provided that, the term Eligible Foreign Custodian
shall not include any 'Eligible Securities Depository.' An Eligible Securities
Depository for purposes hereof shall have the same meaning as in SEC rule 17f-7
as proposed on April 29, 1999. (Eligible Securities Depositories used by Bank as
of the date hereof are set forth in Appendix 1-A hereto, and as the same may be
amended on notice to Customer from time to time.)

(b) In connection with the foregoing, Bank shall:

(i) provide written reports notifying Customer's Board of the placement of
Financial Assets and Cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and
of any material change in the arrangements with such Eligible Foreign
Custodians, with such reports to be provided to Customer's Board at such
times as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the
circumstances of Customer's foreign custody arrangements (and until
further notice from Customer such reports shall be provided not less than
quarterly with respect to the placement of Financial Assets and Cash with
particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and with reasonable promptness upon
the occurrence of any material change in the arrangements with such
Eligible Foreign Custodians);

(ii) exercise such reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing
as Customer's Foreign Custody Manager as a person having responsibility
for the safekeeping of Financial Assets and Cash would exercise;

(iii) in selecting an Eligible Foreign Custodian, first have determined
that Financial Assets and Cash placed and maintained in the safekeeping of
such Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be subject to reasonable care, based
on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, after
having considered all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such
Financial Assets and Cash, including, without limitation, those factors
set forth in SEC rule 17f-5(c)(1)(i)-(iv);

(iv) determine that the written contract with the Eligible Foreign
Custodian requires that the Eligible Foreign Custodian will provide
reasonable care for Financial Assets and Cash based on the standards
applicable to custodians in the relevant market.

<PAGE> 14

(v) have established a system to monitor the continued appropriateness of
maintaining Financial Assets and Cash with particular Eligible Foreign
Custodians and of the governing contractual arrangements; it being
understood, however, that in the event that Bank shall have determined
that the existing Eligible Foreign Custodian in a given country would no
longer afford Financial Assets and Cash reasonable care and that no other
Eligible Foreign Custodian in that country would afford reasonable care,
Bank shall promptly so advise Customer and shall then act in accordance
with the Instructions of Customer with respect to the disposition of the
affected Financial Assets and Cash.

Subject to (b)(i)-(v) above, Bank is hereby authorized to place and maintain
Financial Assets and Cash on behalf of Customer with Eligible Foreign Custodians
pursuant to a written contract deemed appropriate by Bank.

(c) Except as expressly provided herein, Customer shall be solely
responsible to assure that the maintenance of Financial Assets and Cash
hereunder complies with the rules, regulations, interpretations and exemptive
orders promulgated by or under the authority of the SEC.

(d) Bank represents to Customer that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in Rule
17f-5(a)(7). Customer represents to Bank that: (1) the Financial Assets and Cash
being placed and maintained in Bank's custody are subject to the 1940 Act, as
the same may be amended from time to time; (2) its Board: (i) has determined
that it is reasonable to rely on Bank to perform as Customer's Foreign Custody
Manager (ii) or its investment adviser shall have determined that Customer may
maintain Financial Assets and Cash in each country in which Customer's Financial
Assets and Cash shall be held hereunder and determined to accept the risks
arising therefrom (including, but not limited to, a country's financial
infrastructure), prevailing custody and settlement practices, laws applicable to
the safekeeping and recovery of Financial Assets and Cash held in custody, and
the likelihood of nationalization, currency controls and the like) (collectively
("Country Risk")). Nothing contained herein shall require Bank to make any
selection or to engage in any monitoring on behalf of Customer that would entail
consideration of Country Risk.

(e) Bank shall provide to Customer such information relating to Country
Risk as is specified in Appendix 1-B hereto. Customer hereby acknowledges that:
(i) such information is solely designed to inform Customer of market conditions
and procedures and is not intended as a recommendation to invest or not invest
in particular markets; and (ii) Bank has gathered the information from sources
it considers reliable, but that Bank shall have no responsibility for
inaccuracies or incomplete information.

B. Add the following after the first sentence of Section 3 of the
Agreement: "At the request of Customer, Bank may, but need not, add to Schedule
A an Eligible Foreign Custodian where Bank has not acted as Foreign Custody
Manager with respect to the selection thereof. Bank shall notify Customer in the
event that it elects to add any such entity."

C. Add the following language to the end of Section 3 of the Agreement:

"The term Subcustodian as used herein shall mean the following:

(a) a 'U.S. Bank,' which shall mean a U.S. bank as defined in SEC rule
17f-5(a)(7);

(b) an 'Eligible Foreign Custodian,' which shall mean (i) a banking
institution or trust company, incorporated or organized under the laws of
a country other than the United States, that is regulated as such by that
country's government or an agency thereof, (ii) a majority-owned direct or
indirect subsidiary of a U.S. bank or bank holding company which
subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other
than the United States; and (iii) any other entity (other than an Elibible

2
<PAGE> 15

Securities Depository) that shall have been so qualified by exemptive
order, rule or other appropriate action of the SEC.

For purposes of clarity, it is agreed that as used in Section 12(a)(i), the term
Subcustodian shall not include any Eligible Foreign Custodian as to which Bank
has not acted as Foreign Custody Manager or any Eligible Securities Depository."

3
<PAGE> 16

Appendix 1-A

ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES

<PAGE> 17

Appendix 1-B

Information Regarding Country Risk

1. To aid Customer in its determinations regarding Country Risk, Bank
shall furnish annually and upon the initial placing of Financial Assets and Cash
into a country the following information (check items applicable):

A Opinions of local counsel concerning:

___ i. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the access afforded
Customer's independent public accountants to books and records kept
by an eligible foreign custodian located in that country.

___ ii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer's
ability to recover its Financial Assets and Cash in the event of the
bankruptcy of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country.

___ iii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer's
ability to recover Financial Assets that are lost while under the
control of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in the country.

B. Written information concerning:

___ i. The foreseeability of expropriation, nationalization, freezes, or
confiscation of Customer's Financial Assets and Cash.

___ ii. Whether difficulties in converting Customer's cash and cash
equivalents to U.S. dollars are reasonably foreseeable.]

C. A market report with respect to the following topics:

(i) securities regulatory environment, (ii) foreign ownership
restrictions, (iii) foreign exchange, (iv) securities settlement and
registration, (v) taxation, and (vi) compulsory depositories (including
depository evaluation).

2. To aid Customer in monitoring Country Risk, Bank shall furnish board
the following additional information:

Market flashes, including with respect to changes in the information in
market reports.

<PAGE> 18

GLOBAL PROXY SERVICE RIDER

To Global Custody Agreement

Between

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

AND

------------------------------------
dated 199_.

1. Global Proxy Services ("Proxy Services") shall be provided for the
countries listed in the procedures and guidelines ("Procedures") furnished
to Customer, as the same may be amended by Bank from time to time on prior
notice to Customer. The Procedures are incorporated by reference herein
and form a part of this Rider.

2. Proxy Services shall consist of those elements as set forth in the
Procedures, and shall include (a) notifications ("Notifications") by
Bank to Customer of the dates of pending shareholder meetings,
resolutions to be voted upon and the return dates as may be received by
Bank or provided to Bank by its Subcustodians or third parties, and (b)
voting by Bank of proxies based on Customer Instructions. Original
proxy materials or copies thereof shall not be provided. Notifications
shall generally be in English and, where necessary, shall be summarized
and translated from such non-English materials as have been made
available to Bank or its Subcustodian. In this respect Bank's only
obligation is to provide information from sources it believes to be
reliable and/or to provide materials summarized and/or translated in
good faith. Bank reserves the right to provide Notifications, or parts
thereof, in the language received. Upon reasonable advance request by
Customer, backup information relative to Notifications, such as annual
reports, explanatory material concerning resolutions, management
recommendations or other material relevant to the exercise of proxy
voting rights shall be provided as available, but without translation.

3. While Bank shall attempt to provide accurate and complete Notifications,
whether or not translated, Bank shall not be liable for any losses or
other consequences that may result from reliance by Customer upon
Notifications where Bank prepared the same in good faith.

4 Notwithstanding the fact that Bank may act in a fiduciary capacity with
respect to Customer under other agreements or otherwise under the
Agreement, in performing Proxy Services Bank shall be acting solely as the
agent of Customer, and shall not exercise any discretion with regard to
such Proxy Services.

5. Proxy voting may be precluded or restricted in a variety of
circumstances, including, without limitation, where the relevant
Financial Assets are: (i) on loan; (ii) at registrar for registration
or reregistration; (iii) the subject of a conversion or other corporate
action; (iv) not held in a name subject to the control of Bank or its
Subcustodian or are otherwise held in a manner which precludes voting;
(v) not capable of being voted on account of local market regulations
or practices or restrictions by the issuer; or (vi) held in a margin or
collateral account.

6 Customer acknowledges that in certain countries Bank may be unable to vote
individual proxies but shall only be able to vote proxies on a net basis
(e.g., a net yes or no vote given the voting instructions received from
all customers).

7. Customer shall not make any use of the information provided hereunder,
except in connection with the funds or plans covered hereby, and shall in
no event sell, license, give or otherwise make the information provided
hereunder available, to any third party, and shall not directly or
indirectly compete with Bank or

<PAGE> 19

diminish the market for Proxy Services by provision of such information,
in whole or in part, for compensation or otherwise, to any third party.

8. The names of Authorized Persons for Proxy Services shall be furnished to
Bank in accordance with Section 10 of the Agreement. Proxy Services fees
shall be as set forth in Section 13 of the Agreement or as separately
agreed.

<PAGE> 20

SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS RIDER

GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT

WITH
-----------------------------------

DATE
-----------------------------------

<PAGE> 21

DOMESTIC ONLY

SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS RIDER

Domestic Corporate Actions and Proxies

With respect to domestic U.S. and Canadian Financial Assets (the latter if held
in DTC), the following provisions shall apply rather than the provisions of
Section 8 of the Agreement and the Global Proxy Service rider:

Bank shall send to Customer or the Authorized Person for a Custody
Account, such proxies (signed in blank, if issued in the name of Bank's
nominee or the nominee of a central depository) and communications with
respect to Financial Assets in the Custody Account as call for voting or
relate to legal proceedings within a reasonable time after sufficient
copies are received by Bank for forwarding to its customers. In addition,
Bank shall follow coupon payments, redemptions, exchanges or similar
matters with respect to Financial Assets in the Custody Account and advise
Customer or the Authorized Person for such Account of rights issued,
tender offers or any other discretionary rights with respect to such
Financial Assets, in each case, of which Bank has received notice from the
issuer of the Financial Assets, or as to which notice is published in
publications routinely utilized by Bank for this purpose.

Fees

The fees referenced in Section 13 hereof cover only domestic and euro-dollar
holdings. There shall be no Schedule A hereto, as there are no foreign assets in
the Accounts.

<PAGE> 22

DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL

SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS RIDER

Domestic Corporate Actions and Proxies

With respect to domestic U.S. and Canadian Financial Assets (the latter if held
in DTC), the following provisions shall apply rather than the pertinent
provisions of Section 8 of the Agreement and the Global Proxy Service rider:

<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 9
BROWN & WOOD LLP
ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048-0557

TELEPHONE: 212-839-5300
FACSIMILE: 212-839-5599

June 18, 1999

Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, NJ 08536

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc.,
a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (the "Fund"), in
connection with the organization of the Fund and its registration as an open-end
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. This
opinion is being furnished in connection with the registration of an indefinite
number of shares of common stock, designated Class A, Class B, Class C and Class
D, par value $0.10 per share, of the Fund (the "Shares") under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, which registration is being effected pursuant to a
registration statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-76581), as amended (the
"Registration Statement").

As counsel for the Fund, we are familiar with the proceedings taken by it
in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale of the Shares. In
addition, we have examined and are familiar with the Articles of Incorporation
of the Fund, as amended, the By-Laws of the Fund and such other documents as we
have deemed relevant to the matters referred to in this opinion.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, upon
issuance and sale in the manner referred to in the Registration Statement for
consideration not less than the par value thereof, will be legally issued, fully
paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of the Fund.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the prospectus and
statement of additional information constituting parts thereof.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Brown & Wood LLP

<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' C0NSENT

We consent to the use in Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration
Statement No. 333-76581 of Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc. of our
report dated June 18, 1999 and to the reference to us under the caption
"Independent Auditors" both of which appear in the Statement of Additional
Information, which is a part of such Registration Statement.

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
June 18, 1999

<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 12

CERTIFICATE OF THE SOLE STOCKHOLDER OF
MERRILL LYNCH DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND, INC.

Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM"), the holder of 2,500 Class
A shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, 2,500 Class B shares of
common stock, par value $0.10 per share, 2,500 Class C shares of common stock,
par value $0.10 per share, and 2,500 Class D shares of common stock, par value
$0.10 per share, of Merrill Lynch Disciplined Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), a
Maryland corporation, does hereby confirm to the Fund its representation that it
purchased such shares for investment purposes, with no present intention of
redeeming or reselling any portion thereof, and does further agree that if it
redeems any portion of such shares prior to the amortization of the Fund's
prepaid registration fees and offering costs, the proceeds thereof will be
reduced by the proportionate amount of unamortized prepaid registration fees and
offering costs which the number of shares being redeemed bears to the number of
shares initially purchased and outstanding at the time of redemption. MLAM
further agrees that in the event such shares are sold or otherwise transferred
to any other party, that prior to such sale or transfer MLAM will obtain on
behalf of the Fund an agreement from such other party to comply with the
foregoing as to the reduction of redemption proceeds and to obtain a similar
agreement from any transferee of such party.

MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.

By:/s/ MICHAEL J. HENNEWINKEL
---------------------------------
Authorized Officer

Dated: June 18, 1999