MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND INC
NSAR-B, 1997-08-27
Previous: GNMA FUND INVESTMENT ACCUMULATION PROGRAM INC, NSAR-B, 1997-08-27
Next: MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND INC, N-30D, 1997-08-27



<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 B000000 06/30/97
000 C000000 0000225635
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 MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
001 B000000 811-2688
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 Y
007 B000000  3
007 C010100  1
007 C020100 NATIONAL PORTFOLIO
007 C030100 N
007 C010200  2
007 C020200 INSURED PORTFOLIO
007 C030200 N
007 C010300  3
007 C020300 LIMITED MATURITY PORTFOLIO
007 C030300 N
007 C010400  4
007 C010500  5
007 C010600  6
007 C010700  7
007 C010800  8
007 C010900  9
007 C011000 10
008 A00AA01 FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
008 B00AA01 A
008 C00AA01 801-12485
008 D01AA01 PRINCETON
008 D02AA01 NJ
008 D03AA01 08543
008 D04AA01 9011
011 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
011 B00AA01 8-14663
011 C01AA01 PRINCETON
011 C02AA01 NJ
011 C03AA01 08543
<PAGE>      PAGE  2
011 C04AA01 9011
012 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
012 B00AA01 84-01339
012 C01AA01 JACKSONVILLE
012 C02AA01 FL
012 C03AA01 32246
012 C04AA01 6484
013 A00AA01 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B01AA01 PRINCETON
013 B02AA01 NJ
013 B03AA01 08540
014 A00AA01 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.
014 B00AA01 8-7221
015 A00AA01 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B00AA01 C
015 C01AA01 NEW YORK
015 C02AA01 NY
015 C03AA01 10286
015 E01AA01 X
015 A00AA02 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B00AA02 S
015 C01AA02 NEW YORK
015 C02AA02 NY
015 C03AA02 10006
015 E01AA02 X
015 A00AA03 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B00AA03 S
015 C01AA03 NEW YORK
015 C02AA03 NY
015 C03AA03 10017
015 E01AA03 X
015 A00AA04 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B00AA04 S
015 C01AA04 NEW YORK
015 C02AA04 NY
015 C03AA04 10167
015 E01AA04 X
015 A00AA05 MORGAN GUARANTEE TRUST CO.
015 B00AA05 S
015 C01AA05 NEW YORK
015 C02AA05 NY
015 C03AA05 10260
015 E01AA05 X
018  00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00  195
019 C00AA00 MERRILLLYN
020 A000001 SMITH BARNEY INC.
020 B000001 13-1912900
020 C000001     29
020 C000002      0
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
020 C000003      0
020 C000004      0
020 C000005      0
020 C000006      0
020 C000007      0
020 C000008      0
020 C000009      0
020 C000010      0
021  000000       29
022 A000001 SMITH BARNEY INC.
022 B000001 13-1912900
022 C000001    816408
022 D000001    780955
022 A000002 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
022 B000002 13-5108880
022 C000002    691646
022 D000002    786524
022 A000003 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES INC.
022 B000003 13-3224016
022 C000003    716027
022 D000003    672812
022 A000004 PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
022 B000004 13-2638166
022 C000004    464390
022 D000004    460422
022 A000005 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
022 B000005 13-2518466
022 C000005    397953
022 D000005    400670
022 A000006 DILLON, READ & CO. INC.
022 B000006 13-1939216
022 C000006    256345
022 D000006    351450
022 A000007 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000007 13-2655998
022 C000007    335884
022 D000007    262541
022 A000008 BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
022 C000008    272412
022 D000008    318199
022 A000009 BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
022 B000009 13-3299429
022 C000009    252414
022 D000009    272604
022 A000010 OPPENHEIMER & CO., INC.
022 B000010 13-2798343
022 C000010    182494
022 D000010    220734
023 C000000    5602873
023 D000000    5905392
024  00AA00 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  4
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
037  00AA00 N
038  00AA00      0
039  00AA00 N
040  00AA00 Y
041  00AA00 Y
049  00AA00 N
050  00AA00 N
051  00AA00 N
052  00AA00 N
053 A00AA00 N
054 A00AA00 Y
054 B00AA00 Y
054 C00AA00 N
054 D00AA00 N
054 E00AA00 N
054 F00AA00 N
054 G00AA00 N
054 H00AA00 Y
054 I00AA00 N
054 J00AA00 Y
054 K00AA00 N
054 L00AA00 N
054 M00AA00 Y
054 N00AA00 N
058 A00AA00 N
059  00AA00 Y
060 A00AA00 Y
060 B00AA00 Y
061  00AA00        0
066 A00AA00 N
067  00AA00 N
068 A00AA00 N
068 B00AA00 N
069  00AA00 N
077 A000000 Y
077 B000000 Y
078  000000 N
080 A00AA00 ICI MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
080 C00AA00     2500
081 A00AA00 Y
081 B00AA00 113
<PAGE>      PAGE  5
082 A00AA00 N
082 B00AA00        0
083 A00AA00 N
083 B00AA00        0
084 A00AA00 N
084 B00AA00        0
085 A00AA00 Y
085 B00AA00 N
028 A010100     26243
028 A020100      2747
028 A030100         0
028 A040100     29667
028 B010100     96594
028 B020100      3018
028 B030100         0
028 B040100     24962
028 C010100     32140
028 C020100      3195
028 C030100         0
028 C040100     42147
028 D010100     40707
028 D020100      3202
028 D030100         0
028 D040100     32350
028 E010100     14226
028 E020100      4030
028 E030100         0
028 E040100     66389
028 F010100     26337
028 F020100      2960
028 F030100         0
028 F040100     32923
028 G010100    236247
028 G020100     19152
028 G030100         0
028 G040100    228438
028 H000100     54249
029  000100 Y
030 A000100    277
030 B000100  4.00
030 C000100  0.00
031 A000100     29
031 B000100      0
032  000100      0
033  000100    248
034  000100 Y
035  000100    879
036 A000100 N
036 B000100      0
042 A000100   0
042 B000100   0
<PAGE>      PAGE  6
042 C000100 100
042 D000100   0
042 E000100   0
042 F000100   0
042 G000100   0
042 H000100   0
043  000100   3362
044  000100      0
045  000100 Y
046  000100 N
047  000100 Y
048  000100  0.000
048 A010100   250000
048 A020100 0.500
048 B010100        0
048 B020100 0.000
048 C010100        0
048 C020100 0.000
048 D010100        0
048 D020100 0.000
048 E010100        0
048 E020100 0.000
048 F010100        0
048 F020100 0.000
048 G010100        0
048 G020100 0.000
048 H010100        0
048 H020100 0.000
048 I010100        0
048 I020100 0.000
048 J010100        0
048 J020100 0.000
048 K010100   250000
048 K020100 0.475
055 A000100 N
055 B000100 N
056  000100 Y
057  000100 N
062 A000100 Y
062 B000100   0.0
062 C000100   0.0
062 D000100   0.0
062 E000100   2.3
062 F000100   0.0
062 G000100   0.0
062 H000100   0.0
062 I000100   0.0
062 J000100   0.0
062 K000100   0.0
062 L000100   0.0
062 M000100   0.0
<PAGE>      PAGE  7
062 N000100   0.0
062 O000100  95.7
062 P000100   0.0
062 Q000100   0.0
062 R000100   0.0
063 A000100   0
063 B000100 20.3
064 A000100 Y
064 B000100 N
070 A010100 Y
070 A020100 N
070 B010100 N
070 B020100 N
070 C010100 N
070 C020100 N
070 D010100 N
070 D020100 N
070 E010100 Y
070 E020100 Y
070 F010100 N
070 F020100 N
070 G010100 Y
070 G020100 N
070 H010100 N
070 H020100 N
070 I010100 Y
070 I020100 N
070 J010100 Y
070 J020100 N
070 K010100 N
070 K020100 N
070 L010100 N
070 L020100 N
070 M010100 N
070 M020100 N
070 N010100 N
070 N020100 N
070 O010100 Y
070 O020100 N
070 P010100 Y
070 P020100 Y
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100   1385983
071 B000100   1395028
071 C000100   1392613
071 D000100   99
072 A000100 12
072 B000100    93608
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
072 C000100        0
072 D000100        0
072 E000100        0
072 F000100     6961
072 G000100      142
072 H000100        0
072 I000100      568
072 J000100      130
072 K000100        0
072 L000100       67
072 M000100       22
072 N000100       95
072 O000100        0
072 P000100        0
072 Q000100        0
072 R000100       25
072 S000100       43
072 T000100     3362
072 U000100        0
072 V000100        0
072 W000100       51
072 X000100    11466
072 Y000100        0
072 Z000100    82142
072AA000100    28017
072BB000100     9330
072CC010100    18217
072CC020100        0
072DD010100    60238
072DD020100    21904
072EE000100        0
073 A010100   0.0000
073 A020100   0.0000
073 B000100   0.0000
073 C000100   0.0000
074 A000100       27
074 B000100        0
074 C000100    33580
074 D000100  1414475
074 E000100        0
074 F000100        0
074 G000100        0
074 H000100        0
074 I000100        0
074 J000100    32781
074 K000100        0
074 L000100    27027
074 M000100       46
074 N000100  1507936
074 O000100    25675
074 P000100      840
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
074 Q000100        0
074 R010100        0
074 R020100        0
074 R030100        0
074 R040100     3534
074 S000100        0
074 T000100  1477887
074 U010100    99699
074 U020100    42721
074 V010100     0.00
074 V020100     0.00
074 W000100   0.0000
074 X000100    38852
074 Y000100        0
075 A000100        0
075 B000100  1460942
076  000100     0.00
028 A010200     19749
028 A020200      3933
028 A030200         0
028 A040200    155372
028 B010200     13978
028 B020200      3871
028 B030200         0
028 B040200     24962
028 C010200     22446
028 C020200      3815
028 C030200         0
028 C040200     42147
028 D010200     23575
028 D020200      3786
028 D030200         0
028 D040200     32350
028 E010200      6381
028 E020200      4754
028 E030200         0
028 E040200     66389
028 F010200     16494
028 F020200      3506
028 F030200         0
028 F040200     32923
028 G010200    102623
028 G020200     23665
028 G030200         0
028 G040200    354143
028 H000200     30997
029  000200 Y
030 A000200    269
030 B000200  4.00
030 C000200  0.00
031 A000200     32
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
031 B000200      0
032  000200      0
033  000200    237
034  000200 Y
035  000200    986
036 A000200 N
036 B000200      0
042 A000200   0
042 B000200   0
042 C000200 100
042 D000200   0
042 E000200   0
042 F000200   0
042 G000200   0
042 H000200   0
043  000200   5152
044  000200      0
045  000200 Y
046  000200 N
047  000200 Y
048  000200  0.000
048 A010200   250000
048 A020200 0.400
048 B010200  1250000
048 B020200 0.375
048 C010200        0
048 C020200 0.000
048 D010200        0
048 D020200 0.000
048 E010200        0
048 E020200 0.000
048 F010200        0
048 F020200 0.000
048 G010200        0
048 G020200 0.000
048 H010200        0
048 H020200 0.000
048 I010200        0
048 I020200 0.000
048 J010200        0
048 J020200 0.000
048 K010200  1500000
048 K020200 0.350
055 A000200 Y
055 B000200 N
056  000200 Y
057  000200 N
062 A000200 Y
062 B000200   0.0
062 C000200   0.0
062 D000200   0.0
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
062 E000200   3.8
062 F000200   0.0
062 G000200   0.0
062 H000200   0.0
062 I000200   0.0
062 J000200   0.0
062 K000200   0.0
062 L000200   0.0
062 M000200   0.0
062 N000200   0.0
062 O000200  94.8
062 P000200   0.0
062 Q000200   0.0
062 R000200   0.0
063 A000200   0
063 B000200 19.0
064 A000200 Y
064 B000200 N
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 N
070 B010200 N
070 B020200 N
070 C010200 N
070 C020200 N
070 D010200 N
070 D020200 N
070 E010200 N
070 E020200 N
070 F010200 N
070 F020200 N
070 G010200 N
070 G020200 N
070 H010200 N
070 H020200 N
070 I010200 N
070 I020200 N
070 J010200 Y
070 J020200 N
070 K010200 N
070 K020200 N
070 L010200 N
070 L020200 N
070 M010200 N
070 M020200 N
070 N010200 N
070 N020200 N
070 O010200 Y
070 O020200 N
070 P010200 Y
070 P020200 Y
070 Q010200 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  12
070 Q020200 N
070 R010200 N
070 R020200 N
071 A000200   1539870
071 B000200   1783020
071 C000200   2069750
071 D000200   74
072 A000200 12
072 B000200   134134
072 C000200        0
072 D000200        0
072 E000200        0
072 F000200     8042
072 G000200      250
072 H000200        0
072 I000200      796
072 J000200      186
072 K000200        0
072 L000200      115
072 M000200       26
072 N000200      184
072 O000200        0
072 P000200        0
072 Q000200        0
072 R000200       38
072 S000200       56
072 T000200     5152
072 U000200        0
072 V000200        0
072 W000200       81
072 X000200    14926
072 Y000200        0
072 Z000200   119208
072AA000200    48606
072BB000200    10670
072CC010200     5465
072CC020200        0
072DD010200    86921
072DD020200    32287
072EE000200        0
073 A010200   0.0000
073 A020200   0.0000
073 B000200   0.0000
073 C000200   0.0000
074 A000200      342
074 B000200        0
074 C000200    77100
074 D000200  1945913
074 E000200        0
074 F000200        0
074 G000200        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
074 H000200        0
074 I000200        0
074 J000200      791
074 K000200        0
074 L000200    33571
074 M000200       62
074 N000200  2057779
074 O000200        0
074 P000200      947
074 Q000200        0
074 R010200        0
074 R020200        0
074 R030200        0
074 R040200     4598
074 S000200        0
074 T000200  2052234
074 U010200   183643
074 U020200    71017
074 V010200     0.00
074 V020200     0.00
074 W000200   0.0000
074 X000200    42415
074 Y000200        0
075 A000200        0
075 B000200  2230742
076  000200     0.00
028 A010300      4929
028 A020300       766
028 A030300         0
028 A040300     16768
028 B010300      6221
028 B020300       825
028 B030300         0
028 B040300     10937
028 C010300     10103
028 C020300       793
028 C030300         0
028 C040300     17376
028 D010300      8498
028 D020300       777
028 D030300         0
028 D040300     13764
028 E010300      8894
028 E020300       961
028 E030300         0
028 E040300     16365
028 F010300      4128
028 F020300       691
028 F030300         0
028 F040300     21500
028 G010300     42773
<PAGE>      PAGE  14
028 G020300      4813
028 G030300         0
028 G040300     96710
028 H000300     21824
029  000300 Y
030 A000300     34
030 B000300  1.00
030 C000300  0.00
031 A000300      3
031 B000300      0
032  000300      0
033  000300     31
034  000300 Y
035  000300     59
036 A000300 N
036 B000300      0
042 A000300   0
042 B000300   0
042 C000300 100
042 D000300   0
042 E000300   0
042 F000300   0
042 G000300   0
042 H000300   0
043  000300    241
044  000300      0
045  000300 Y
046  000300 N
047  000300 Y
048  000300  0.000
048 A010300   250000
048 A020300 0.400
048 B010300   150000
048 B020300 0.375
048 C010300   150000
048 C020300 0.350
048 D010300        0
048 D020300 0.000
048 E010300        0
048 E020300 0.000
048 F010300        0
048 F020300 0.000
048 G010300        0
048 G020300 0.000
048 H010300        0
048 H020300 0.000
048 I010300        0
048 I020300 0.000
048 J010300        0
048 J020300 0.000
048 K010300   550000
<PAGE>      PAGE  15
048 K020300 0.325
055 A000300 Y
055 B000300 N
056  000300 Y
057  000300 N
062 A000300 Y
062 B000300   0.0
062 C000300   0.0
062 D000300   0.0
062 E000300  16.3
062 F000300   0.0
062 G000300   0.0
062 H000300   0.0
062 I000300   0.0
062 J000300   0.0
062 K000300   0.0
062 L000300   0.0
062 M000300   0.0
062 N000300   0.0
062 O000300  85.1
062 P000300   0.0
062 Q000300   0.0
062 R000300   0.0
063 A000300   0
063 B000300  1.8
064 A000300 Y
064 B000300 N
070 A010300 Y
070 A020300 N
070 B010300 N
070 B020300 N
070 C010300 N
070 C020300 N
070 D010300 N
070 D020300 N
070 E010300 Y
070 E020300 N
070 F010300 N
070 F020300 N
070 G010300 Y
070 G020300 N
070 H010300 N
070 H020300 N
070 I010300 Y
070 I020300 N
070 J010300 Y
070 J020300 N
070 K010300 N
070 K020300 N
070 L010300 N
070 L020300 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  16
070 M010300 N
070 M020300 N
070 N010300 N
070 N020300 N
070 O010300 Y
070 O020300 N
070 P010300 Y
070 P020300 N
070 Q010300 N
070 Q020300 N
070 R010300 N
070 R020300 N
071 A000300    259616
071 B000300    327912
071 C000300    419395
071 D000300   62
072 A000300 12
072 B000300    20199
072 C000300        0
072 D000300        0
072 E000300        0
072 F000300     1552
072 G000300       42
072 H000300        0
072 I000300      104
072 J000300       44
072 K000300        0
072 L000300       29
072 M000300        6
072 N000300        1
072 O000300        0
072 P000300        0
072 Q000300        0
072 R000300       11
072 S000300       10
072 T000300      241
072 U000300        0
072 V000300        0
072 W000300       18
072 X000300     2058
072 Y000300        0
072 Z000300    18141
072AA000300     1970
072BB000300      100
072CC010300      104
072CC020300        0
072DD010300    15860
072DD020300     2281
072EE000300      803
073 A010300   0.0000
073 A020300   0.0000
<PAGE>      PAGE  17
073 B000300   0.0000
073 C000300   0.0000
074 A000300        8
074 B000300        0
074 C000300    68236
074 D000300   355995
074 E000300        0
074 F000300        0
074 G000300        0
074 H000300        0
074 I000300        0
074 J000300        0
074 K000300        0
074 L000300     5938
074 M000300       36
074 N000300   430213
074 O000300    10052
074 P000300      131
074 Q000300        0
074 R010300        0
074 R020300        0
074 R030300        0
074 R040300     1623
074 S000300        0
074 T000300   418407
074 U010300    36645
074 U020300     5473
074 V010300     0.00
074 V020300     0.00
074 W000300   0.0000
074 X000300     6764
074 Y000300        0
075 A000300        0
075 B000300   467287
076  000300     0.00
SIGNATURE   GERALD M. RICHARD                            
TITLE       TREASURER           
 


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 031
   <NAME> LIMITED MATURITY PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        422830068
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       424230840
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5937661
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   43855
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               430212356
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      10052250
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1753308
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           11805558
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     421570614
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         34594470
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         42089848
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4564588)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       1400772
<NET-ASSETS>                                 343640605
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             20199235
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2057959)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       18141276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1870059
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       104267
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         20115602
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (15176552)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (666000)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        2507909
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (10923304)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             920017
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (85744816)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5632124)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1552369
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2057959
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         385691952
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .39
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .04
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.39)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.02)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               9.93
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .39
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 032
   <NAME> LIMITED MATURITY PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        422830068
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       424230840
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5937661
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   43855
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               430212356
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      10052250
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1753308
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           11805558
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     421570614
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          5462680
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          7170644
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4564588)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       1400772
<NET-ASSETS>                                  54275249
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             20199235
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2057959)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       18141276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1870059
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       104267
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         20115602
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (2274531)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                      (108061)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1746766
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (3611439)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             156709
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (85744816)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5632124)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1552369
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2057959
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          63604028
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .36
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .05
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.36)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.02)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               9.94
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .75
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 033
   <NAME> LIMITED MATURITY PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        422830068
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       424230840
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5937661
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   43855
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               430212356
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      10052250
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1753308
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           11805558
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     421570614
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            10849
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             9519
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4564588)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       1400772
<NET-ASSETS>                                    107551
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             20199235
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2057959)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       18141276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1870059
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       104267
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         20115602
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                       (6456)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                         (293)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         125730
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (124926)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                526
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (85744816)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5632124)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1552369
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2057959
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            181004
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.88
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .35
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .05
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.35)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.02)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               9.91
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .75
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 034
   <NAME> LIMITED MATURITY PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        422830068
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       424230840
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5937661
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   43855
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               430212356
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      10052250
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      1753308
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           11805558
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     421570614
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          2050790
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1602198
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4564588)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       1400772
<NET-ASSETS>                                  20383393
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             20199235
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2057959)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       18141276
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       1870059
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       104267
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         20115602
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (683737)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (28170)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        3480248
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (3072180)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              40524
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (85744816)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5632124)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          1552369
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2057959
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          17809842
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .38
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .05
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.38)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.02)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               9.94
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .48
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 011
   <NAME> NATIONAL PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1357588036
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      1448054588
<RECEIVABLES>                                 59808605
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   72672
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1507935865
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      25674754
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      4374155
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           30048909
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1445999725
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         94784980
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         97261338
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (58579321)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      90466552
<NET-ASSETS>                                 983649868
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             93607495
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (11465595)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       82141900
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      18687317
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     18217116
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        119046333
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (57401862)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        7233789
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (12395672)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            2685525
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        37821271
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (77266638)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          6961453
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               11465595
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         980243399
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.11
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .60
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .27
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.60)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.38
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .55
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 012
   <NAME> NATIONAL PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1357588036
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      1448054588
<RECEIVABLES>                                 59808605
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   72672
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1507935865
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      25674754
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      4374155
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           30048909
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1445999725
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         40014114
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         39501944
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (58579321)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      90466552
<NET-ASSETS>                                 415103109
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             93607495
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (11465595)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       82141900
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      18687317
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     18217116
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        119046333
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (20879493)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       11777487
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (12241060)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             975743
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        37821271
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (77266638)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          6961453
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               11465595
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         409735503
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.11
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .52
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .26
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.52)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.37
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.31
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 013
   <NAME> NATIONAL PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1357588036
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      1448054588
<RECEIVABLES>                                 59808605
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   72672
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1507935865
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      25674754
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      4374155
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           30048909
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1445999725
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          2706856
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1314145
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (58579321)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      90466552
<NET-ASSETS>                                  28095834
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             93607495
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (11465595)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       82141900
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      18687317
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     18217116
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        119046333
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (1024766)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        2182254
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (845937)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              56394
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        37821271
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (77266638)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          6961453
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               11465595
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          20336976
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.11
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .52
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .27
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.52)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.38
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.36
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 014
   <NAME> NATIONAL PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1357588036
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      1448054588
<RECEIVABLES>                                 59808605
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   72672
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1507935865
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      25674754
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      4374155
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           30048909
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1445999725
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          4914399
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          4337089
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                     (58579321)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      90466552
<NET-ASSETS>                                  51038145
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             93607495
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (11465595)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       82141900
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      18687317
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     18217116
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        119046333
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (2835779)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       11031092
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (10568675)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             114893
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                        37821271
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (77266638)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          6961453
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               11465595
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          50625626
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.12
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .58
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .27
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.58)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.39
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .80
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 021
   <NAME> INSURED PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1910409942
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      2023013288
<RECEIVABLES>                                 34361622
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  403691
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              2057778601
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      5544501
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5544501
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1943677665
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        178876402
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        198801419
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4046911)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     112603346
<NET-ASSETS>                                1441784905
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            134133814
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (14925877)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      119207937
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      37935579
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      5465463
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        162608979
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (84438105)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        4575281
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (28976583)  
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            4476285
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (314398820)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (41982490)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          8042098
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               14925877
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        1513857203
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .45
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .15
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.45)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.06
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .44
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 022
   <NAME> INSURED PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1910409942
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      2023013288
<RECEIVABLES>                                 34361622
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  403691
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              2057778601
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      5544501
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5544501
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1943677665
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         69537481
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         91463092
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4046911)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     112603346
<NET-ASSETS>                                 560105263
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            134133814
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (14925877)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      119207937
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      37935579
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      5465463
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        162608979        
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (31486251)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        5729555
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (29659757)   
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            2004591
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (314398820)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (41982490)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          8042098
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               14925877
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         653470610
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .39
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .14
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.39)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.05
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.19
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 023
   <NAME> INSURED PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1910409942
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      2023013288
<RECEIVABLES>                                 34361622
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  403691
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              2057778601
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      5544501
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5544501
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1943677665
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1479783
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          2394049
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4046911)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     112603346
<NET-ASSETS>                                  11922182
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            134133814
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (14925877)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      119207937
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      37935579
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      5465463
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        162608979
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (800743)       
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         742610
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1722393)   
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              65517
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (314398820)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (41982490)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          8042098
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               14925877
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          16804607
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .38
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .15
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.38)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.06
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.25
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000225635
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 024
   <NAME> INSURED PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1910409942
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      2023013288
<RECEIVABLES>                                 34361622
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  403691
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              2057778601
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      5544501
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5544501
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1943677665
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          4767006
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          6544245
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4046911)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     112603346
<NET-ASSETS>                                  38421750
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            134133814
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (14925877)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      119207937
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                      37935579
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      5465463
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        162608979
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (2482838)       
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       13434491
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (15359300)   
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             147570
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                     (314398820)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (41982490)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          8042098
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               14925877
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          46609285
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .43
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .15
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.43)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.06
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .69
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission