<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 A000000 06/30/97
000 C000000 0000202741
000 D000000 N
000 E000000 NF
000 F000000 Y
000 G000000 N
000 H000000 N
000 I000000 3.0.a
000 J000000 A
001 A000000 MERRILL LYNCH PACIFIC FUND, INC.
001 B000000 811-2661
001 C000000 6092822800
002 A000000 P.O. BOX 9011
002 B000000 PRINCETON
002 C000000 NJ
002 D010000 08543
002 D020000 9011
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 N
007 B000000 0
007 C010100 1
007 C010200 2
007 C010300 3
007 C010400 4
007 C010500 5
007 C010600 6
007 C010700 7
007 C010800 8
007 C010900 9
007 C011000 10
008 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
008 B000001 A
008 C000001 801-11583
008 D010001 PRINCETON
008 D020001 NJ
008 D030001 08543
008 D040001 9011
008 A000002 MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT U.K., LTD.
008 B000002 S
008 C000002 801-31780
008 D010002 LONDON
008 D050002 ENGLAND
008 D060002 EC24 9LY
011 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
011 B000001 8-14663
011 C010001 PRINCETON
011 C020001 NJ
011 C030001 08543
<PAGE> PAGE 2
011 C040001 9011
012 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
012 B000001 84-01339
012 C010001 JACKSONVILLE
012 C020001 FL
012 C030001 32246
012 C040001 6484
013 A000001 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B010001 PRINCETON
013 B020001 NJ
013 B030001 08540
014 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.
014 B000001 8-7221
015 A000001 BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.
015 B000001 C
015 C010001 BOSTON
015 C020001 MA
015 C030001 02109
015 E010001 X
015 A000002 NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LTD.
015 B000002 S
015 C010002 SYDNEY
015 D010002 AUSTRALIA
015 E040002 X
015 A000003 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
015 B000003 S
015 C010003 NEW YORK
015 C020003 NY
015 C030003 10005
015 E010003 X
015 A000004 CITIBANK, N.A.
015 B000004 S
015 C010004 NEW YORK
015 C020004 NY
015 C030004 10043
015 E010004 X
015 A000005 MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
015 B000005 S
015 C010005 NEW YORK
015 C020005 NY
015 C030005 10015
015 E010005 X
015 A000006 HONG KONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION
015 B000006 S
015 C010006 HONG KONG
015 D010006 HONG KONG
015 E040006 X
015 A000007 STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
015 B000007 S
015 C010007 LONDON
015 D010007 ENGLAND
<PAGE> PAGE 3
015 E040007 X
015 A000008 SUMITOMO TRUST & BANKING CO., LTD.
015 B000008 S
015 C010008 TOKYO
015 D010008 JAPAN
015 E040008 X
015 A000009 AUSTRACLEAR LIMITED
015 B000009 S
015 C010009 AUSTRALIA
015 D010009 AUSTRALIA
015 E040009 X
015 A000010 RITS
015 B000010 S
015 C010010 AUSTRALIA
015 D010010 AUSTRALIA
015 E040010 X
015 A000011 SHANGHAI SECURITIES CENTRAL CLEARING CORP.
015 B000011 S
015 C010011 SHANGHAI
015 D010011 CHINA
015 E040011 X
015 A000012 SHENZHEN CENTRAL REGISTRATION CORPORATION
015 B000012 S
015 C010012 SHENZHEN EXCHANGE
015 D010012 CHINA
015 E040012 X
015 A000013 CEDEL, S.A.
015 B000013 S
015 C010013 LUXEMBOURG
015 D010013 LUXEMBOURG
015 E040013 X
015 A000014 CCASS
015 B000014 S
015 C010014 HONG KONG
015 D010014 HONG KONG
015 E040014 X
015 A000015 CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE
015 B000015 S
015 C010015 TORONTO
015 D010015 CANADA
015 E040015 X
015 A000016 HONG KONG BANK MALAYSIA BERHAD
015 B000016 S
015 C010016 KUALA LUMPUR
015 D010016 MALAYSIA
015 E040016 X
015 A000017 KOREAN SECURITIES DEPOSITORY CORP.
015 B000017 S
015 C010017 KOREA
015 D010017 KOREA
015 E040017 X
<PAGE> PAGE 4
015 A000018 MALAYSIAN CENTRAL DEPOSITORY SDN BHN
015 B000018 S
015 C010018 MALAYSIA
015 D010018 MALAYSIA
015 E040018 X
015 A000019 CANADIAN DEPOSITORY FOR SECURITIES
015 B000019 S
015 C010019 CANADA
015 D010019 CANADA
015 E040019 X
015 A000020 EUROCLEAR
015 B000020 S
015 C010020 BELGIUM
015 D010020 BELGIUM
015 E040020 X
015 A000021 CENTRAL DEPOSITORY PTE
015 B000021 S
015 C010021 SINGAPORE
015 D010021 SINGAPORE
015 E040021 X
015 A000022 TAIWAN SECURITIES CENTRAL DEPOSITORY CO.,LTD.
015 B000022 S
015 C010022 TAIWAN
015 D010022 TAIWAN
015 E040022 X
015 A000023 THE SHARES DEPOSITORY CENTER
015 B000023 S
015 C010023 THAILAND
015 D010023 THAILAND
015 E040023 X
015 A000024 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000024 S
015 C010024 NEW YORK
015 C020024 NY
015 C030024 10015
015 E010024 X
015 A000025 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B000025 S
015 C010025 NEW YORK
015 C020025 NY
015 C030025 10006
015 E010025 X
015 A000026 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B000026 S
015 C010026 NEW YORK
015 C020026 NY
015 C030026 10017
015 E010026 X
015 A000027 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B000027 S
015 C010027 NEW YORK
<PAGE> PAGE 5
015 C020027 NY
015 C030027 10167
015 E010027 X
015 A000028 PVT
015 B000028 S
015 C010028 SRI LANKA
015 D010028 SRI LANKA
015 E040028 X
015 A000029 NSDL
015 B000029 S
015 C010029 INDIA
015 D010029 INDIA
015 E040029 X
015 A000030 THE BANK OF ENGLAND
015 B000030 S
015 C010030 UNITED KINGDOM
015 D010030 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040030 X
015 A000031 THE CENTRAL GILTS OFFICE
015 B000031 S
015 C010031 UNITED KINGDOM
015 D010031 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040031 X
015 A000032 THE CENTRAL MONEY MARKETS OFFICE
015 B000032 S
015 C010032 UNITED KINGDOM
015 D010032 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040032 X
015 A000033 ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND
015 B000033 S
015 C010033 UNITED KINGDOM
015 D010033 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040033 X
015 A000034 BANK OF CANADA
015 B000034 S
015 C010034 CANADA
015 D010034 CANADA
015 E040034 X
015 A000035 JASDEC
015 B000035 S
015 C010035 JAPAN
015 D010035 JAPAN
015 E040035 X
015 A000036 BANK OF JAPAN
015 B000036 S
015 C010036 JAPAN
015 D010036 JAPAN
015 E040036 X
015 A000037 BANK OF NEGARA MALAYSIA
015 B000037 S
015 C010037 MALAYSIA
<PAGE> PAGE 6
015 D010037 MALAYSIA
015 E040037 X
015 A000038 TAKASBANK
015 B000038 S
015 C010038 TURKEY
015 D010038 TURKEY
015 E040038 X
015 A000039 CREST
015 B000039 S
015 C010039 UNITED KINGDOM
015 D010039 UNITED KINGDOM
015 E040039 X
015 A000040 PCD
015 B000040 S
015 C010040 PHILIPPINES
015 D010040 PHILIPPINES
015 E040040 X
018 000000 Y
019 A000000 Y
019 B000000 195
019 C000000 MERRILLLYN
020 A000001 SBC WARBURG INC.
020 B000001 13-3340045
020 C000001 122
020 A000002 CREDIT LYONNAIS SECURITIES (USA) INC.
020 C000002 105
020 A000003 ING BARING (U.S.) SECURITIES, INC.
020 C000003 77
020 A000004 SOCIETE GENERALE SECURITIES CORPORATION
020 B000004 13-1976032
020 C000004 75
020 A000005 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
020 B000005 13-5108880
020 C000005 69
020 A000006 BRIDGE TRADING COMPANY
020 B000006 43-1450530
020 C000006 64
020 A000007 W.I. CARR (AMERICA) LTD.
020 B000007 13-2927466
020 C000007 57
020 A000008 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
020 B000008 22-2347336
020 C000008 55
020 A000009 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
020 B000009 13-2655998
020 C000009 48
020 A000010 ROBERT FLEMING INC.
020 B000010 13-3298866
020 C000010 37
021 000000 923
022 A000001 GENERAL MOTORS ACCEPTANCE CORP.
<PAGE> PAGE 7
022 C000001 3527613
022 D000001 0
022 A000002 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP.
022 C000002 209018
022 D000002 0
022 A000003 AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORP.
022 C000003 109884
022 D000003 0
022 A000004 CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
022 B000004 13-5659485
022 C000004 43040
022 D000004 0
022 A000005 HSBC SECURITIES, INC.
022 B000005 13-2650272
022 C000005 37143
022 D000005 0
022 A000006 BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
022 B000006 13-3299429
022 C000006 0
022 D000006 36730
022 A000007 PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
022 B000007 13-2638166
022 C000007 19997
022 D000007 0
022 A000008 CREDIT LYONNAIS SECURITIES (USA) INC.
022 C000008 0
022 D000008 15714
022 A000009 MERRILL LYNCH GLOBAL VALUE FUND, INC.
022 C000009 0
022 D000009 15615
022 A000010 ING BARING (U.S.) SECURITIES, INC.
022 C000010 0
022 D000010 10070
023 C000000 3947696
023 D000000 100633
024 000000 N
026 A000000 N
026 B000000 Y
026 C000000 N
026 D000000 Y
026 E000000 N
026 F000000 N
026 G010000 N
026 G020000 N
026 H000000 N
027 000000 Y
028 A010000 56484
028 A020000 0
028 A030000 0
028 A040000 207113
028 B010000 50359
<PAGE> PAGE 8
028 B020000 0
028 B030000 0
028 B040000 135889
028 C010000 33959
028 C020000 0
028 C030000 0
028 C040000 105304
028 D010000 62279
028 D020000 0
028 D030000 0
028 D040000 85904
028 E010000 146076
028 E020000 0
028 E030000 0
028 E040000 95773
028 F010000 125003
028 F020000 0
028 F030000 0
028 F040000 71201
028 G010000 474160
028 G020000 0
028 G030000 0
028 G040000 701184
028 H000000 86655
029 000000 Y
030 A000000 453
030 B000000 5.25
030 C000000 0.00
031 A000000 30
031 B000000 0
032 000000 0
033 000000 423
034 000000 Y
035 000000 3149
036 A000000 N
036 B000000 0
037 000000 N
038 000000 0
039 000000 N
040 000000 Y
041 000000 Y
042 A000000 0
042 B000000 0
042 C000000 100
042 D000000 0
042 E000000 0
042 F000000 0
042 G000000 0
042 H000000 0
043 000000 6006
044 000000 0
<PAGE> PAGE 9
045 000000 Y
046 000000 N
047 000000 Y
048 000000 0.600
048 A010000 0
048 A020000 0.000
048 B010000 0
048 B020000 0.000
048 C010000 0
048 C020000 0.000
048 D010000 0
048 D020000 0.000
048 E010000 0
048 E020000 0.000
048 F010000 0
048 F020000 0.000
048 G010000 0
048 G020000 0.000
048 H010000 0
048 H020000 0.000
048 I010000 0
048 I020000 0.000
048 J010000 0
048 J020000 0.000
048 K010000 0
048 K020000 0.000
049 000000 N
050 000000 N
051 000000 N
052 000000 N
053 A000000 N
054 A000000 Y
054 B000000 Y
054 C000000 N
054 D000000 N
054 E000000 N
054 F000000 N
054 G000000 N
054 H000000 Y
054 I000000 N
054 J000000 Y
054 K000000 N
054 L000000 N
054 M000000 Y
054 N000000 N
055 A000000 N
055 B000000 N
056 000000 Y
057 000000 N
058 A000000 N
059 000000 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 10
060 A000000 N
060 B000000 N
061 000000 0
062 A000000 N
062 B000000 0.0
062 C000000 0.0
062 D000000 0.0
062 E000000 0.0
062 F000000 0.0
062 G000000 0.0
062 H000000 0.0
062 I000000 0.0
062 J000000 0.0
062 K000000 0.0
062 L000000 0.0
062 M000000 0.0
062 N000000 0.0
062 O000000 0.0
062 P000000 0.0
062 Q000000 0.0
062 R000000 0.0
066 A000000 Y
066 B000000 N
066 C000000 Y
066 D000000 N
066 E000000 N
066 F000000 N
066 G000000 N
067 000000 N
068 A000000 N
068 B000000 Y
069 000000 N
070 A010000 Y
070 A020000 N
070 B010000 Y
070 B020000 Y
070 C010000 Y
070 C020000 N
070 D010000 Y
070 D020000 N
070 E010000 Y
070 E020000 N
070 F010000 Y
070 F020000 N
070 G010000 Y
070 G020000 N
070 H010000 Y
070 H020000 N
070 I010000 N
070 I020000 N
070 J010000 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 11
070 J020000 Y
070 K010000 Y
070 K020000 Y
070 L010000 Y
070 L020000 Y
070 M010000 Y
070 M020000 Y
070 N010000 Y
070 N020000 N
070 O010000 Y
070 O020000 N
070 P010000 Y
070 P020000 Y
070 Q010000 N
070 Q020000 N
070 R010000 N
070 R020000 N
071 A000000 121989
071 B000000 396232
071 C000000 1864475
071 D000000 7
072 A000000 6
072 B000000 1312
072 C000000 12022
072 D000000 0
072 E000000 0
072 F000000 5734
072 G000000 124
072 H000000 0
072 I000000 2081
072 J000000 877
072 K000000 0
072 L000000 148
072 M000000 20
072 N000000 120
072 O000000 0
072 P000000 0
072 Q000000 0
072 R000000 23
072 S000000 26
072 T000000 6006
072 U000000 0
072 V000000 0
072 W000000 29
072 X000000 15188
072 Y000000 0
072 Z000000 -1854
072AA000000 179147
072BB000000 33308
072CC010000 173182
072CC020000 0
<PAGE> PAGE 12
072DD010000 0
072DD020000 0
072EE000000 0
073 A010000 0.0000
073 A020000 0.0000
073 B000000 0.0000
073 C000000 0.0000
074 A000000 12047
074 B000000 0
074 C000000 141323
074 D000000 14172
074 E000000 33592
074 F000000 2014576
074 G000000 0
074 H000000 0
074 I000000 5797
074 J000000 1131
074 K000000 0
074 L000000 15204
074 M000000 90
074 N000000 2237932
074 O000000 43256
074 P000000 2200
074 Q000000 0
074 R010000 0
074 R020000 0
074 R030000 0
074 R040000 6710
074 S000000 0
074 T000000 2185766
074 U010000 33989
074 U020000 54473
074 V010000 0.00
074 V020000 0.00
074 W000000 0.0000
074 X000000 185731
074 Y000000 0
075 A000000 0
075 B000000 1907368
076 000000 0.00
077 A000000 N
078 000000 N
SIGNATURE GERALD M. RICHARD
TITLE TREASURER
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000202741
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH PACIFIC FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 001
<NAME> CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1864797453
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 2209460170
<RECEIVABLES> 16334759
<ASSETS-OTHER> 12136944
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2237931873
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 43255700
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8909981
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 52165681
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1697297356
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 26915796
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 29778805
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (1853732)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 144143665
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 346178903
<NET-ASSETS> 687074549
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 12022081
<INTEREST-INCOME> 1311503
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (15187316)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (1853732)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 145839208
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 173182342
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 317167818
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 7010500
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (9873509)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 90143395
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (1695543)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 5733589
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 15187316
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 593306980
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 21.58
<PER-SHARE-NII> .05
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 3.90
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 25.53
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .94
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000202741
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH PACIFIC FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 002
<NAME> CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1864797453
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 2209460170
<RECEIVABLES> 16334759
<ASSETS-OTHER> 12136944
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2237931873
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 43255700
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8909981
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 52165681
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1697297356
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 49899378
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 59144398
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (1853732)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 144143665
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 346178903
<NET-ASSETS> 1209119687
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 12022081
<INTEREST-INCOME> 1311503
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (15187316)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (1853732)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 145839208
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 173182342
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 317167818
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 8843895
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (18088915)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 90143395
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (1695543)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 5733589
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 15187316
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1085843282
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 20.59
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.06)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 3.70
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 24.23
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.97
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000202741
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH PACIFIC FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 003
<NAME> CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1864797453
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 2209460170
<RECEIVABLES> 16334759
<ASSETS-OTHER> 12136944
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2237931873
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 43255700
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8909981
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 52165681
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1697297356
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 4573347
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 4872374
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (1853732)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 144143665
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 346178903
<NET-ASSETS> 109295047
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 12022081
<INTEREST-INCOME> 1311503
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (15187316)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (1853732)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 145839208
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 173182342
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 317167818
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2187884
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (2486911)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 90143395
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (1695543)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 5733589
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 15187316
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 90904728
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 20.30
<PER-SHARE-NII> (.06)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 3.66
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 23.90
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.98
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000202741
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH PACIFIC FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 004
<NAME> CLASS D
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1864797453
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 2209460170
<RECEIVABLES> 16334759
<ASSETS-OTHER> 12136944
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2237931873
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 43255700
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8909981
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 52165681
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1697297356
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 7072844
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 6333714
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> (1853732)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 144143665
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 346178903
<NET-ASSETS> 180276909
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 12022081
<INTEREST-INCOME> 1311503
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (15187316)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> (1853732)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 145839208
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 173182342
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 317167818
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3491707
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (2752577)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 90143395
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (1695543)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 5733589
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 15187316
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 137312535
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 21.57
<PER-SHARE-NII> .02
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 3.90
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 25.49
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.19
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
