<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 B000000 06/30/96
000 C000000 0000216557
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 BASIC VALUE FUND, INC.
001 B000000 811-2739
001 C000000 6092827165
002 A000000 P.O. BOX 9066
002 B000000 PRINCETON
002 C000000 NJ
002 D010000 08543
002 D020000 9066
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 FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
008 B000001 A
008 C000001 801-12485
008 D010001 PRINCETON
008 D020001 NJ
008 D030001 08543
008 D040001 9011
011 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
011 B000001 8-14663
011 C010001 PRINCETON
011 C020001 NJ
011 C030001 08543
011 C040001 9011
012 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
012 B000001 84-01339
012 C010001 JACKSONVILLE
012 C020001 FL
012 C030001 32246
<PAGE> PAGE 2
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 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000001 C
015 C010001 NEW YORK
015 C020001 NY
015 C030001 10286
015 E010001 X
015 A000002 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B000002 S
015 C010002 NEW YORK
015 C020002 NY
015 C030002 10006
015 E010002 X
015 A000003 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B000003 S
015 C010003 NEW YORK
015 C020003 NY
015 C030003 10017
015 E010003 X
015 A000004 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B000004 S
015 C010004 NEW YORK
015 C020004 NY
015 C030004 10167
015 E010004 X
015 A000005 MORGAN GUARANTEE TRUST CO.
015 B000005 S
015 C010005 NEW YORK
015 C020005 NY
015 C030005 10260
015 E010005 X
018 000000 Y
019 A000000 Y
019 B000000 180
019 C000000 MERRILLLYN
020 A000001 BUCKINGHAM RESEARCH GROUP INCORPORATED (THE)
020 B000001 13-3134008
020 C000001 402
020 A000002 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
020 B000002 13-2655998
020 C000002 358
020 A000003 MONNESS, CRESPI, HARDT & CO., INC.
020 B000003 13-2878577
020 C000003 254
020 A000004 BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
<PAGE> PAGE 3
020 B000004 13-3299429
020 C000004 337
020 A000005 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
020 B000005 13-2518466
020 C000005 183
020 A000006 PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
020 B000006 13-2638166
020 C000006 150
020 A000007 SALOMON BROTHERS INC
020 B000007 13-3082694
020 C000007 136
020 A000008 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
020 B000008 13-5108880
020 C000008 123
020 A000009 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.
020 B000009 13-5674085
020 C000009 118
020 A000010 CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
020 B000010 13-5659485
020 C000010 98
021 000000 3093
022 A000001 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP.
022 C000001 14614611
022 D000001 0
022 A000002 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
022 B000002 13-5108880
022 C000002 4028724
022 D000002 0
022 A000003 CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
022 B000003 13-5659485
022 C000003 3747202
022 D000003 0
022 A000004 UBS SECURITIES INC.
022 B000004 13-2932996
022 C000004 868226
022 D000004 0
022 A000005 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES INC.
022 B000005 13-3224016
022 C000005 581775
022 D000005 0
022 A000006 HSBC SECURITIES, INC.
022 B000006 13-2650272
022 C000006 502269
022 D000006 0
022 A000007 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
022 B000007 13-2518466
022 C000007 482050
022 D000007 0
022 A000008 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000008 13-2655998
022 C000008 404756
<PAGE> PAGE 4
022 D000008 5294
022 A000009 FIRST CHICAGO CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
022 B000009 36-3595942
022 C000009 169078
022 D000009 0
022 A000010 PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
022 B000010 13-2638166
022 C000010 149273
022 D000010 0
023 C000000 25615720
023 D000000 5632
024 000000 Y
025 A000001 GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, L.P.
025 C000001 D
025 D000001 199459
025 D000002 0
025 D000003 0
025 D000004 0
025 D000005 0
025 D000006 0
025 D000007 0
025 D000008 0
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 184812
028 A020000 0
028 A030000 0
028 A040000 97036
028 B010000 226575
028 B020000 0
028 B030000 0
028 B040000 108237
028 C010000 178640
028 C020000 0
028 C030000 0
028 C040000 97738
028 D010000 196749
028 D020000 0
028 D030000 0
028 D040000 112127
028 E010000 178223
028 E020000 0
028 E030000 0
<PAGE> PAGE 5
028 E040000 112099
028 F010000 163469
028 F020000 0
028 F030000 0
028 F040000 86963
028 G010000 1128468
028 G020000 0
028 G030000 0
028 G040000 614200
028 H000000 397595
029 000000 Y
030 A000000 3326
030 B000000 5.25
030 C000000 0.00
031 A000000 223
031 B000000 0
032 000000 0
033 000000 3103
034 000000 Y
035 000000 2870
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 31208
044 000000 0
045 000000 Y
046 000000 N
047 000000 Y
048 000000 0.000
048 A010000 100000
048 A020000 0.600
048 B010000 100000
048 B020000 0.500
048 C010000 0
048 C020000 0.000
048 D010000 0
048 D020000 0.000
048 E010000 0
048 E020000 0.000
<PAGE> PAGE 6
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 200000
048 K020000 0.400
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
060 A000000 Y
060 B000000 Y
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
<PAGE> PAGE 7
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 N
066 D000000 N
066 E000000 Y
066 F000000 N
066 G000000 N
067 000000 N
068 A000000 N
068 B000000 N
069 000000 N
070 A010000 Y
070 A020000 N
070 B010000 Y
070 B020000 N
070 C010000 Y
070 C020000 N
070 D010000 N
070 D020000 N
070 E010000 N
070 E020000 N
070 F010000 N
070 F020000 N
070 G010000 N
070 G020000 N
070 H010000 N
070 H020000 N
070 I010000 N
070 I020000 N
070 J010000 Y
070 J020000 N
070 K010000 Y
070 K020000 N
070 L010000 Y
070 L020000 Y
070 M010000 Y
070 M020000 N
070 N010000 Y
070 N020000 Y
070 O010000 Y
070 O020000 N
070 P010000 Y
070 P020000 Y
070 Q010000 N
<PAGE> PAGE 8
070 Q020000 N
070 R010000 N
070 R020000 N
071 A000000 1317972
071 B000000 761196
071 C000000 5459981
071 D000000 14
072 A000000 12
072 B000000 64932
072 C000000 162522
072 D000000 0
072 E000000 97
072 F000000 26704
072 G000000 395
072 H000000 0
072 I000000 9155
072 J000000 246
072 K000000 0
072 L000000 443
072 M000000 41
072 N000000 554
072 O000000 0
072 P000000 0
072 Q000000 0
072 R000000 38
072 S000000 68
072 T000000 31208
072 U000000 0
072 V000000 0
072 W000000 71
072 X000000 68923
072 Y000000 0
072 Z000000 158628
072AA000000 351041
072BB000000 24026
072CC010000 639253
072CC020000 0
072DD010000 90101
072DD020000 52417
072EE000000 128220
073 A010000 0.0000
073 A020000 0.0000
073 B000000 0.0000
073 C000000 0.0000
074 A000000 183
074 B000000 0
074 C000000 1407749
074 D000000 0
074 E000000 0
074 F000000 6118368
074 G000000 0
<PAGE> PAGE 9
074 H000000 0
074 I000000 0
074 J000000 0
074 K000000 0
074 L000000 27323
074 M000000 117
074 N000000 7553740
074 O000000 15669
074 P000000 5074
074 Q000000 0
074 R010000 0
074 R020000 0
074 R030000 0
074 R040000 10293
074 S000000 0
074 T000000 7522704
074 U010000 133115
074 U020000 117687
074 V010000 0.00
074 V020000 0.00
074 W000000 0.0000
074 X000000 515811
074 Y000000 0
075 A000000 0
075 B000000 6637776
076 000000 0.00
077 A000000 Y
077 B000000 Y
077 O000000 Y
078 000000 N
080 A000000 ICI MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
080 C000000 2500
081 A000000 Y
081 B000000 109
082 A000000 N
082 B000000 0
083 A000000 N
083 B000000 0
084 A000000 N
084 B000000 0
085 A000000 Y
085 B000000 N
SIGNATURE GERALD M. RICHARD
TITLE TREASURER
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000216557
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 001
<NAME> CLASS A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 5604112264
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7526117427
<RECEIVABLES> 27322860
<ASSETS-OTHER> 299420
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7553739707
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 15669255
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 15366855
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 31036110
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 5273600826
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 118712320
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 107197900
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 82449679
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 244647929
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1922005163
<NET-ASSETS> 3587557556
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 162522456
<INTEREST-INCOME> 64932173
<OTHER-INCOME> 96759
<EXPENSES-NET> (68923344)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 158628044
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 327014797
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 639253232
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1124896073
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (83171240)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (63214864)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 23070207
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (16341658)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 4785871
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1946436498
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 63306430
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 48885889
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 26704376
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 68923344
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3254461890
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 26.44
<PER-SHARE-NII> .80
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 4.31
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.76)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.57)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 30.22
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .56
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000216557
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 002
<NAME> CLASS B
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 5604112264
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7526117427
<RECEIVABLES> 27322860
<ASSETS-OTHER> 299420
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7553739707
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 15669255
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 15366855
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 31036110
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 5273600826
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 110522222
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 94482533
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 82449679
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 244647929
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1922005163
<NET-ASSETS> 3288963029
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 162522456
<INTEREST-INCOME> 64932173
<OTHER-INCOME> 96759
<EXPENSES-NET> (68923344)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 158628044
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 327014797
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 639253232
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1124896073
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (50150559)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (56947014)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 34258281
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (21730547)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3511955
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1946436498
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 63306430
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 48885889
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 26704376
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 68923344
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2915654342
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 26.08
<PER-SHARE-NII> .53
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 4.23
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.51)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.57)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 29.76
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.58
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000216557
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 003
<NAME> CLASS C
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 5604112264
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7526117427
<RECEIVABLES> 27322860
<ASSETS-OTHER> 299420
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7553739707
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 15669255
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 15366855
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 31036110
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 5273600826
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 7164737
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 2860765
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 82449679
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 244647929
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1922005163
<NET-ASSETS> 211786930
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 162522456
<INTEREST-INCOME> 64932173
<OTHER-INCOME> 96759
<EXPENSES-NET> (68923344)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 158628044
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 327014797
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 639253232
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1124896073
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (2265975)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (2332735)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 6142278
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (1991553)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 153247
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1946436498
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 63306430
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 48885889
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 26704376
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 68923344
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 140459642
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 25.98
<PER-SHARE-NII> .55
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 4.18
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.58)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.57)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 29.56
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.59
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000216557
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 004
<NAME> CLASS D
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 5604112264
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7526117427
<RECEIVABLES> 27322860
<ASSETS-OTHER> 299420
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7553739707
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 15669255
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 15366855
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 31036110
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 5273600826
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 14402376
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 7687830
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 82449679
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 244647929
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1922005163
<NET-ASSETS> 434396082
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 162522456
<INTEREST-INCOME> 64932173
<OTHER-INCOME> 96759
<EXPENSES-NET> (68923344)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 158628044
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 327014797
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 639253232
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1124896073
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (6929391)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (5725774)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 8767896
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (2466089)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 412739
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 1946436498
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 63306430
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 48885889
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 26704376
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 68923344
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 327199940
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 26.41
<PER-SHARE-NII> .76
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 4.27
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.71)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.57)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 30.16
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .81
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
