<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 A000000 03/31/95
000 C000000 0000276463
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 CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
001 B000000 811-2857
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 Y
007 B000000 3
007 C010100 1
007 C020100 HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
007 C030100 N
007 C010200 2
007 C020200 INVESTMENT GRADE PORTFOLIO
007 C030200 N
007 C010300 3
007 C020300 INTERMEDIATE TERM 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 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 STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY
015 B00AA01 C
015 C01AA01 BOSTON
015 C02AA01 MA
015 C03AA01 02101
015 E01AA01 X
015 A00AA02 AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LTD.
015 B00AA02 S
015 C01AA02 MELBOURNE
015 D01AA02 AUSTRALIA
015 D02AA02 3000
015 E04AA02 X
015 A00AA03 WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION
015 B00AA03 S
015 C01AA03 WELLINGTON
015 D01AA03 NEW ZEALAND
015 E04AA03 X
018 00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00 180
019 C00AA00 MERRILLLYN
020 A000001 MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INC.
020 B000001 13-5674085
020 C000001 25
020 A000002 INSTINET CORPORATION
020 B000002 13-3443395
020 C000002 3
020 A000003 BRIDGE TRADING COMPANY
020 B000003 43-1450530
020 C000003 2
020 A000004 WERTHEIM SCHRODER & CO. INCORPORATED
020 B000004 13-2697272
020 C000004 1
020 C000005 0
020 C000006 0
020 C000007 0
020 C000008 0
020 C000009 0
<PAGE> PAGE 3
020 C000010 0
021 000000 31
022 A000001 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP.
022 C000001 15218182
022 D000001 0
022 A000002 HSBC SECURITIES, INC.
022 B000002 13-2650272
022 C000002 1775847
022 D000002 0
022 A000003 PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
022 B000003 13-2638166
022 C000003 1195879
022 D000003 15971
022 A000004 UBS SECURITIES INC.
022 B000004 13-2932996
022 C000004 994828
022 D000004 76859
022 A000005 SBCI SWISS BANK CORP. INVESTMENT BANKING INC.
022 C000005 1068678
022 D000005 0
022 A000006 BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
022 C000006 733053
022 D000006 805
022 A000007 AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORP.
022 C000007 453393
022 D000007 4998
022 A000008 BANK OF AMERICA NT & SA
022 B000008 94-1687665
022 C000008 437652
022 D000008 0
022 A000009 DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORP.
022 B000009 13-2741729
022 C000009 265612
022 D000009 118425
022 A000010 SALOMON BROTHERS INC
022 B000010 13-3082694
022 C000010 152655
022 D000010 134763
023 C000000 23309589
023 D000000 1051266
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
049 00AA00 N
<PAGE> PAGE 4
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
077 C000000 Y
078 000000 N
024 000100 N
028 A010100 56366
028 A020100 11736
028 A030100 0
028 A040100 63578
028 B010100 63317
028 B020100 11436
028 B030100 0
028 B040100 71928
028 C010100 68374
028 C020100 0
028 C030100 0
028 C040100 74183
028 D010100 93766
028 D020100 35188
028 D030100 0
028 D040100 50266
028 E010100 173353
028 E020100 11810
<PAGE> PAGE 5
028 E030100 0
028 E040100 41724
028 F010100 169841
028 F020100 15549
028 F030100 0
028 F040100 69534
028 G010100 625017
028 G020100 85719
028 G030100 0
028 G040100 371213
028 H000100 67291
029 000100 Y
030 A000100 659
030 B000100 4.00
030 C000100 0.00
031 A000100 53
031 B000100 0
032 000100 0
033 000100 606
034 000100 Y
035 000100 2891
036 A000100 N
036 B000100 0
037 000100 N
038 000100 0
039 000100 N
040 000100 Y
041 000100 Y
042 A000100 0
042 B000100 0
042 C000100 100
042 D000100 0
042 E000100 0
042 F000100 0
042 G000100 0
042 H000100 0
043 000100 8835
044 000100 0
045 000100 Y
046 000100 N
047 000100 Y
048 000100 0.000
048 A010100 250000
048 A020100 0.550
048 B010100 250000
048 B020100 0.500
048 C010100 250000
048 C020100 0.450
048 D010100 0
048 D020100 0.000
048 E010100 0
<PAGE> PAGE 6
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 750000
048 K020100 0.400
055 A000100 N
055 B000100 N
056 000100 Y
057 000100 N
062 A000100 Y
062 B000100 0.1
062 C000100 0.0
062 D000100 0.0
062 E000100 0.0
062 F000100 0.0
062 G000100 0.0
062 H000100 0.0
062 I000100 7.3
062 J000100 0.0
062 K000100 0.0
062 L000100 0.0
062 M000100 0.0
062 N000100 0.0
062 O000100 0.0
062 P000100 88.7
062 Q000100 0.0
062 R000100 2.2
063 A000100 0
063 B000100 7.5
064 A000100 N
070 A010100 Y
070 A020100 N
070 B010100 N
070 B020100 N
070 C010100 Y
070 C020100 N
070 D010100 N
070 D020100 N
070 E010100 Y
070 E020100 N
070 F010100 N
070 F020100 N
070 G010100 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 7
070 G020100 N
070 H010100 N
070 H020100 N
070 I010100 N
070 I020100 N
070 J010100 Y
070 J020100 Y
070 K010100 Y
070 K020100 N
070 L010100 Y
070 L020100 Y
070 M010100 Y
070 M020100 N
070 N010100 Y
070 N020100 N
070 O010100 N
070 O020100 N
070 P010100 Y
070 P020100 N
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100 602980
071 B000100 370902
071 C000100 2973627
071 D000100 12
072 A000100 6
072 B000100 192675
072 C000100 1861
072 D000100 0
072 E000100 1728
072 F000100 6680
072 G000100 87
072 H000100 0
072 I000100 1845
072 J000100 64
072 K000100 0
072 L000100 186
072 M000100 18
072 N000100 35
072 O000100 0
072 P000100 0
072 Q000100 0
072 R000100 30
072 S000100 28
072 T000100 8835
072 U000100 0
072 V000100 0
072 W000100 31
072 X000100 17839
<PAGE> PAGE 8
072 Y000100 0
072 Z000100 178425
072AA000100 9211
072BB000100 19172
072CC010100 0
072CC020100 37004
072DD010100 49865
072DD020100 128560
072EE000100 0
073 A010100 0.0000
073 A020100 0.0000
073 B000100 0.0000
073 C000100 0.0000
074 A000100 951
074 B000100 0
074 C000100 258909
074 D000100 3119690
074 E000100 61305
074 F000100 12497
074 G000100 0
074 H000100 0
074 I000100 2914
074 J000100 2104
074 K000100 0
074 L000100 97116
074 M000100 1653
074 N000100 3557139
074 O000100 20230
074 P000100 3021
074 Q000100 0
074 R010100 0
074 R020100 0
074 R030100 0
074 R040100 17535
074 S000100 0
074 T000100 3516353
074 U010100 118819
074 U020100 347925
074 V010100 0.00
074 V020100 0.00
074 W000100 0.0000
074 X000100 197890
074 Y000100 0
075 A000100 0
075 B000100 3214770
076 000100 0.00
024 000200 Y
025 A000201 PAINEWEBBER GROUP INC.
025 C000201 D
025 D000201 9835
025 A000202 DELETE
<PAGE> PAGE 9
025 D000202 0
025 D000203 0
025 D000204 0
025 D000205 0
025 D000206 0
025 D000207 0
025 D000208 0
028 A010200 24288
028 A020200 2749
028 A030200 0
028 A040200 22714
028 B010200 23677
028 B020200 2698
028 B030200 0
028 B040200 25690
028 C010200 23689
028 C020200 0
028 C030200 0
028 C040200 22523
028 D010200 27733
028 D020200 6136
028 D030200 0
028 D040200 23156
028 E010200 32828
028 E020200 2773
028 E030200 0
028 E040200 18075
028 F010200 28292
028 F020200 3564
028 F030200 0
028 F040200 21614
028 G010200 160507
028 G020200 17920
028 G030200 0
028 G040200 133772
028 H000200 37604
029 000200 Y
030 A000200 99
030 B000200 4.00
030 C000200 0.00
031 A000200 8
031 B000200 0
032 000200 0
033 000200 91
034 000200 Y
035 000200 659
036 A000200 N
036 B000200 0
037 000200 N
038 000200 0
039 000200 N
<PAGE> PAGE 10
040 000200 Y
041 000200 Y
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 1820
044 000200 0
045 000200 Y
046 000200 N
047 000200 Y
048 000200 0.000
048 A010200 250000
048 A020200 0.500
048 B010200 250000
048 B020200 0.450
048 C010200 250000
048 C020200 0.400
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 750000
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 2.2
062 E000200 0.0
062 F000200 0.0
062 G000200 0.0
062 H000200 0.0
062 I000200 0.0
<PAGE> PAGE 11
062 J000200 0.0
062 K000200 0.0
062 L000200 0.0
062 M000200 10.5
062 N000200 4.4
062 O000200 0.0
062 P000200 71.4
062 Q000200 9.8
062 R000200 0.0
063 A000200 0
063 B000200 11.3
064 A000200 N
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 Y
070 B010200 N
070 B020200 N
070 C010200 Y
070 C020200 N
070 D010200 N
070 D020200 N
070 E010200 Y
070 E020200 N
070 F010200 N
070 F020200 N
070 G010200 Y
070 G020200 N
070 H010200 N
070 H020200 N
070 I010200 N
070 I020200 N
070 J010200 Y
070 J020200 N
070 K010200 Y
070 K020200 N
070 L010200 Y
070 L020200 Y
070 M010200 Y
070 M020200 N
070 N010200 Y
070 N020200 Y
070 O010200 N
070 O020200 N
070 P010200 Y
070 P020200 N
070 Q010200 N
070 Q020200 N
070 R010200 N
070 R020200 N
071 A000200 558938
071 B000200 499862
071 C000200 799327
<PAGE> PAGE 12
071 D000200 63
072 A000200 6
072 B000200 34696
072 C000200 0
072 D000200 0
072 E000200 60
072 F000200 1574
072 G000200 41
072 H000200 0
072 I000200 755
072 J000200 27
072 K000200 0
072 L000200 56
072 M000200 4
072 N000200 76
072 O000200 0
072 P000200 0
072 Q000200 0
072 R000200 9
072 S000200 5
072 T000200 1820
072 U000200 0
072 V000200 0
072 W000200 13
072 X000200 4380
072 Y000200 0
072 Z000200 30376
072AA000200 2896
072BB000200 21901
072CC010200 31371
072CC020200 0
072DD010200 14050
072DD020200 16327
072EE000200 0
073 A010200 0.0000
073 A020200 0.0000
073 B000200 0.0000
073 C000200 0.0000
074 A000200 377
074 B000200 19856
074 C000200 0
074 D000200 871851
074 E000200 0
074 F000200 0
074 G000200 0
074 H000200 0
074 I000200 0
074 J000200 10420
074 K000200 0
074 L000200 23385
074 M000200 59
<PAGE> PAGE 13
074 N000200 925948
074 O000200 10189
074 P000200 649
074 Q000200 0
074 R010200 0
074 R020200 0
074 R030200 0
074 R040200 8244
074 S000200 0
074 T000200 906866
074 U010200 35435
074 U020200 47633
074 V010200 0.00
074 V020200 0.00
074 W000200 0.0000
074 X000200 77341
074 Y000200 0
075 A000200 0
075 B000200 860436
076 000200 0.00
024 000300 Y
025 A000301 PAINEWEBBER GROUP INC.
025 C000301 D
025 D000301 8886
025 A000302 DELETE
025 D000302 0
025 D000303 0
025 D000304 0
025 D000305 0
025 D000306 0
025 D000307 0
025 D000308 0
028 A010300 4277
028 A020300 1081
028 A030300 0
028 A040300 9317
028 B010300 4056
028 B020300 1030
028 B030300 0
028 B040300 11436
028 C010300 7407
028 C020300 0
028 C030300 0
028 C040300 11805
028 D010300 7572
028 D020300 2291
028 D030300 0
028 D040300 7965
028 E010300 13019
028 E020300 1011
028 E030300 0
<PAGE> PAGE 14
028 E040300 7798
028 F010300 11018
028 F020300 1287
028 F030300 0
028 F040300 7516
028 G010300 47349
028 G020300 6700
028 G030300 0
028 G040300 55837
028 H000300 12729
029 000300 Y
030 A000300 22
030 B000300 1.00
030 C000300 0.00
031 A000300 2
031 B000300 0
032 000300 0
033 000300 20
034 000300 Y
035 000300 136
036 A000300 N
036 B000300 0
037 000300 N
038 000300 0
039 000300 N
040 000300 Y
041 000300 Y
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 343
044 000300 0
045 000300 Y
046 000300 N
047 000300 Y
048 000300 0.000
048 A010300 250000
048 A020300 0.500
048 B010300 250000
048 B020300 0.450
048 C010300 250000
048 C020300 0.400
048 D010300 0
048 D020300 0.000
048 E010300 0
048 E020300 0.000
<PAGE> PAGE 15
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 750000
048 K020300 0.350
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 1.9
062 E000300 0.0
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 9.8
062 N000300 2.1
062 O000300 0.0
062 P000300 73.2
062 Q000300 11.4
062 R000300 0.0
063 A000300 0
063 B000300 6.0
064 A000300 N
070 A010300 Y
070 A020300 Y
070 B010300 N
070 B020300 N
070 C010300 Y
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
<PAGE> PAGE 16
070 H010300 N
070 H020300 N
070 I010300 N
070 I020300 N
070 J010300 Y
070 J020300 N
070 K010300 Y
070 K020300 N
070 L010300 Y
070 L020300 Y
070 M010300 Y
070 M020300 N
070 N010300 Y
070 N020300 Y
070 O010300 N
070 O020300 N
070 P010300 Y
070 P020300 N
070 Q010300 N
070 Q020300 N
070 R010300 N
070 R020300 N
071 A000300 248297
071 B000300 238578
071 C000300 287857
071 D000300 83
072 A000300 6
072 B000300 12038
072 C000300 0
072 D000300 0
072 E000300 25
072 F000300 552
072 G000300 17
072 H000300 0
072 I000300 194
072 J000300 15
072 K000300 0
072 L000300 17
072 M000300 2
072 N000300 50
072 O000300 0
072 P000300 0
072 Q000300 0
072 R000300 4
072 S000300 4
072 T000300 343
072 U000300 0
072 V000300 0
072 W000300 6
072 X000300 1204
072 Y000300 0
<PAGE> PAGE 17
072 Z000300 10859
072AA000300 1108
072BB000300 8786
072CC010300 9938
072CC020300 0
072DD010300 6109
072DD020300 4750
072EE000300 0
073 A010300 0.0000
073 A020300 0.0000
073 B000300 0.0000
073 C000300 0.0000
074 A000300 122
074 B000300 5983
074 C000300 0
074 D000300 301051
074 E000300 0
074 F000300 0
074 G000300 0
074 H000300 0
074 I000300 0
074 J000300 6666
074 K000300 0
074 L000300 12918
074 M000300 71
074 N000300 326811
074 O000300 12787
074 P000300 167
074 Q000300 0
074 R010300 0
074 R020300 0
074 R030300 0
074 R040300 1951
074 S000300 0
074 T000300 311906
074 U010300 15388
074 U020300 13014
074 V010300 0.00
074 V020300 0.00
074 W000300 0.0000
074 X000300 24327
074 Y000300 0
075 A000300 0
075 B000300 301568
076 000300 0.00
SIGNATURE GERALD M. RICHARD
TITLE TREASURER
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 3644698249
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 3455315010
<RECEIVABLES> 99219580
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2604250
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3557138840
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 20230078
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 20555489
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 40785567
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 3727906285
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 113029442
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 114501635
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (22169773)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (189383239)
<NET-ASSETS> 851350884
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1861486
<INTEREST-INCOME> 192674619
<OTHER-INCOME> 1727916
<EXPENSES-NET> 17838866
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 178425155
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (9961416)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (37003681)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 131460058
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 49083614
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 6505065
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 11430003
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3452745
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 292558102
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (12208356)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 6679652
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 17838866
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 840146813
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 7.66
<PER-SHARE-NII> .44
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.13)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .44
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 7.53
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .55
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 3644698249
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 3455315010
<RECEIVABLES> 99219580
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2604250
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3557138840
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 20230078
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 20555489
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 40785567
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 3727906285
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 342496639
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 306516876
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (22169773)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (189383239)
<NET-ASSETS> 2580442402
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1861486
<INTEREST-INCOME> 192674619
<OTHER-INCOME> 1727916
<EXPENSES-NET> 17838866
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 178425155
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (9961416)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (37003681)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 131460058
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 127901988
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 63915156
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 35932342
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 7996949
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 292558102
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (12208356)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 6679652
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 17838866
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2344547371
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 7.66
<PER-SHARE-NII> .41
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.13)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .41
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 7.53
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.32
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-21-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 3644698249
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 3455315010
<RECEIVABLES> 99219580
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2604250
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3557138840
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 20230078
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 20555489
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 40785567
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 3727906285
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 5428142
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (22169773)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (189383239)
<NET-ASSETS> 40924386
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1861486
<INTEREST-INCOME> 192674619
<OTHER-INCOME> 1727916
<EXPENSES-NET> 17838866
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 178425155
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (9961416)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (37003681)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 131460058
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 658443
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 5874049
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 486685
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 40778
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 292558102
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (12208356)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 6679652
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 17838866
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 14079913
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 7.59
<PER-SHARE-NII> .36
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.05)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .36
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 7.54
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.35
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-21-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 3644698249
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 3455315010
<RECEIVABLES> 99219580
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2604250
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3557138840
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 20230078
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 20555489
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 40785567
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 3727906285
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 5789460
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (22169773)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (189383239)
<NET-ASSETS> 43635601
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 1861486
<INTEREST-INCOME> 192674619
<OTHER-INCOME> 1727916
<EXPENSES-NET> 17838866
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 178425155
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (9961416)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (37003681)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 131460058
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 781110
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 7795373
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 2053490
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 47577
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 292558102
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (12208356)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 6679652
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 17838866
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 15996107
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 7.59
<PER-SHARE-NII> .38
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (.05)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .38
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 7.54
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .78
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 2
<NAME> INVESTMENT GRADE PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 896910130
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 891706731
<RECEIVABLES> 33805242
<ASSETS-OTHER> 435734
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 925947707
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 10189440
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8892128
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 19081568
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 964080316
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 34484308
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 34064580
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (19005613)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 33005165
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (5203399)
<NET-ASSETS> 376474317
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 34696247
<OTHER-INCOME> 60240
<EXPENSES-NET> 4380056
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30376431
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (19005613)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 31371369
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42742187
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 13877791
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 4230260
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 4549772
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 739240
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 57020882
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 33005165
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1573601
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 4380056
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 369928943
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.77
<PER-SHARE-NII> .40
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .15
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .40
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .59
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 2
<NAME> INVESTMENT GRADE PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 896910130
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 891706731
<RECEIVABLES> 33805242
<ASSETS-OTHER> 435734
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 925947707
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 10189440
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8892128
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 19081568
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 964080316
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 47083364
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 44862991
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (19005613)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 33005165
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (5203399)
<NET-ASSETS> 514011507
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 34696247
<OTHER-INCOME> 60240
<EXPENSES-NET> 4380056
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30376431
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (19005613)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 31371369
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42742187
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 16253912
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 8958293
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 7658933
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 921013
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 57020882
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 33005165
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1573601
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 4380056
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 482684629
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.77
<PER-SHARE-NII> .36
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .15
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .36
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.36
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 2
<NAME> INVESTMENT GRADE PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-21-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 896910130
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 891706731
<RECEIVABLES> 33805242
<ASSETS-OTHER> 435734
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 925947707
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 10189440
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8892128
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 19081568
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 964080316
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 549612
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (19005613)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 33005165
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (5203399)
<NET-ASSETS> 6002642
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 34696247
<OTHER-INCOME> 60240
<EXPENSES-NET> 4380056
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30376431
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (19005613)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 31371369
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42742187
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 72980
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 661597
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 115890
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3905
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 57020882
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 33005165
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1573601
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 4380056
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 2471216
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.67
<PER-SHARE-NII> .32
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .25
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .32
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.42
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 2
<NAME> INVESTMENT GRADE PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-21-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 896910130
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 891706731
<RECEIVABLES> 33805242
<ASSETS-OTHER> 435734
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 925947707
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 10189440
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8892128
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 19081568
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 964080316
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 950197
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (19005613)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 33005165
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (5203399)
<NET-ASSETS> 10377673
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 34696247
<OTHER-INCOME> 60240
<EXPENSES-NET> 4380056
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30376431
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (19005613)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 31371369
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 42742187
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 171748
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1138941
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 199350
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 10606
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 57020882
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 33005165
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1573601
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 4380056
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 5351082
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.67
<PER-SHARE-NII> .34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .25
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .34
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .85
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> INTERMEDIATE TERM PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 311483421
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 307033782
<RECEIVABLES> 19583914
<ASSETS-OTHER> 192920
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 326810616
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 12787194
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2117855
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 14905049
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 333434359
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 15029720
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 15623264
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (7678119)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 9401034
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (4449639)
<NET-ASSETS> 165052820
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 12038094
<OTHER-INCOME> 24869
<EXPENSES-NET> 1203583
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 10859380
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (7678119)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 9937918
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 13119179
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 6046610
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1082360
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 2040902
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 364998
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 472109
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 9401034
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 551659
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1203583
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 162475860
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.90
<PER-SHARE-NII> .40
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .08
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .40
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.98
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .56
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> INTERMEDIATE TERM PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 311483421
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 307033782
<RECEIVABLES> 19583914
<ASSETS-OTHER> 192920
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 326810616
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 12787194
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2117855
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 14905049
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 333434359
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 12975214
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 12960285
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (7678119)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 9401034
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (4449639)
<NET-ASSETS> 142492597
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 12038094
<OTHER-INCOME> 24869
<EXPENSES-NET> 1203583
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 10859380
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (7678119)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 9937918
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 13119179
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 4744688
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2763782
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 3000581
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 251728
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 472109
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 9401034
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 551659
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1203583
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 136985630
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.90
<PER-SHARE-NII> .37
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .08
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .37
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.98
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.08
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> INTERMEDIATE TERM PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-21-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 311483421
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 307033782
<RECEIVABLES> 19583914
<ASSETS-OTHER> 192920
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 326810616
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 12787194
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2117855
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 14905049
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 333434359
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 38302
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (7678119)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 9401034
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (4449639)
<NET-ASSETS> 420755
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 12038094
<OTHER-INCOME> 24869
<EXPENSES-NET> 1203583
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 10859380
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (7678119)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 9937918
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 13119179
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 5708
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 40309
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 2186
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 179
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 472109
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 9401034
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 551659
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1203583
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 185235
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.81
<PER-SHARE-NII> .34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .18
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .34
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.99
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.10
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 3
<NAME> INTERMEDIATE TERM PORTFOLIO
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START> OCT-21-1994
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 311483421
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 307033782
<RECEIVABLES> 19583914
<ASSETS-OTHER> 192920
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 326810616
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 12787194
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2117855
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 14905049
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 333434359
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 358626
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (7678119)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 9401034
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (4449639)
<NET-ASSETS> 3939395
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 12038094
<OTHER-INCOME> 24869
<EXPENSES-NET> 1203583
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 10859380
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (7678119)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 9937918
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 13119179
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 62374
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 484634
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 129202
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3194
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 472109
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 9401034
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 551659
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1203583
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1920827
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.81
<PER-SHARE-NII> .35
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .17
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .35
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.98
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .71
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
