MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND INC/NY
NSAR-A, 1997-05-28
Previous: MIDCOAST ENERGY RESOURCES INC, S-1, 1997-05-28
Next: FIDELITY GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND, NSAR-A, 1997-05-28



<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 A000000 03/31/97
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 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 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 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 STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
015 B00AA01 C
015 C01AA01 BOSTON
015 C02AA01 MA
015 C03AA01 02101
015 E01AA01 X
015 A00AA02 ANZ BANKING GROUP LTD.
015 B00AA02 S
015 C01AA02 NEW ZEALAND
015 D01AA02 NEW ZEALAND
015 D02AA02 3000
015 E04AA02 X
015 A00AA03 WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION
015 B00AA03 S
015 C01AA03 AUSTRALIA
015 D01AA03 AUSTRALIA
015 E04AA03 X
015 A00AA04 AUSTRACLEAR LIMITED
015 B00AA04 S
015 C01AA04 AUSTRALIA
015 D01AA04 AUSTRALIA
015 E04AA04 X
015 A00AA05 CEDEL, S.A.
015 B00AA05 S
015 C01AA05 LUXEMBOURG
015 D01AA05 LUXEMBOURG
015 E04AA05 X
015 A00AA06 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B00AA06 S
015 C01AA06 NEW YORK
015 C02AA06 NY
015 C03AA06 10015
015 E01AA06 X
015 A00AA07 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
015 B00AA07 S
015 C01AA07 NEW YORK
015 C02AA07 NY
015 C03AA07 10006
<PAGE>      PAGE  3
015 E01AA07 X
015 A00AA08 CHEMICAL BANK
015 B00AA08 S
015 C01AA08 NEW YORK
015 C02AA08 NY
015 C03AA08 10017
015 E01AA08 X
015 A00AA09 CUSTODIAL TRUST CO.
015 B00AA09 S
015 C01AA09 NEW YORK
015 C02AA09 NY
015 C03AA09 10167
015 E01AA09 X
015 A00AA10 MORGAN GUARANTEE TRUST CO.
015 B00AA10 S
015 C01AA10 NEW YORK
015 C02AA10 NY
015 C03AA10 10260
015 E01AA10 X
018  00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00  193
019 C00AA00 MERRILLLYN
020 A000001 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
020 B000001 13-2518466
020 C000001      4
020 C000002      0
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        4
022 A000001 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
022 B000001 13-2518466
022 C000001   4012123
022 D000001     88161
022 A000002 GENERAL MOTORS ACCEPTANCE CORP.
022 C000002   3224192
022 D000002         0
022 A000003 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP.
022 C000003   2819986
022 D000003         0
022 A000004 UBS SECURITIES LLC
022 B000004 13-3873456
022 C000004   1908930
022 D000004    127383
022 A000005 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
<PAGE>      PAGE  4
022 B000005 13-5108880
022 C000005   1061709
022 D000005    122646
022 A000006 DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORP.
022 B000006 13-2741729
022 C000006    476051
022 D000006    354726
022 A000007 MORGAN (J.P.) SECURITIES INC.
022 B000007 13-3224016
022 C000007    580175
022 D000007    194036
022 A000008 MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
022 B000008 13-2655998
022 C000008    357183
022 D000008    260526
022 A000009 BANCAMERICA SECURITIES INC.
022 B000009 95-4035346
022 C000009    597171
022 D000009         0
022 A000010 SALOMON BROTHERS INC
022 B000010 13-3082694
022 C000010    226746
022 D000010    205752
023 C000000   17498520
023 D000000    2182409
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  5
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 O000000 Y
078  000000 N
024  000100 N
028 A010100    166985
028 A020100     18862
028 A030100         0
028 A040100     72307
028 B010100    172548
028 B020100     24229
028 B030100         0
028 B040100     70577
028 C010100    210916
028 C020100         0
028 C030100         0
028 C040100     82716
028 D010100    250726
028 D020100     43915
028 D030100         0
028 D040100    105684
028 E010100    245224
028 E020100     19995
028 E030100         0
028 E040100     95099
028 F010100    212264
028 F020100     21464
028 F030100         0
028 F040100    136405
028 G010100   1258663
028 G020100    128465
028 G030100         0
028 G040100    562788
028 H000100    197705
<PAGE>      PAGE  6
029  000100 Y
030 A000100   1081
030 B000100  4.00
030 C000100  0.00
031 A000100    100
031 B000100      0
032  000100      0
033  000100    981
034  000100 Y
035  000100   3471
036 A000100 N
036 B000100      0
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  19069
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
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  7
057  000100 N
062 A000100 Y
062 B000100   0.0
062 C000100   0.1
062 D000100   0.0
062 E000100   0.0
062 F000100   0.0
062 G000100   0.0
062 H000100   0.0
062 I000100   8.4
062 J000100   0.0
062 K000100   0.0
062 L000100   0.0
062 M000100   1.8
062 N000100   0.0
062 O000100   0.0
062 P000100  67.8
062 Q000100  15.0
062 R000100   5.4
063 A000100   0
063 B000100  6.9
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
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  8
070 O020100 N
070 P010100 Y
070 P020100 N
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100   1654070
071 B000100   1033513
071 C000100   5656168
071 D000100   18
072 A000100  6
072 B000100   296885
072 C000100     8801
072 D000100        0
072 E000100     3958
072 F000100    12786
072 G000100      157
072 H000100        0
072 I000100     2157
072 J000100       75
072 K000100        0
072 L000100      210
072 M000100       18
072 N000100      347
072 O000100        0
072 P000100        0
072 Q000100        0
072 R000100       30
072 S000100       40
072 T000100    19069
072 U000100        0
072 V000100        0
072 W000100       38
072 X000100    34927
072 Y000100        0
072 Z000100   274717
072AA000100      536
072BB000100     3177
072CC010100        0
072CC020100    48267
072DD010100    60906
072DD020100   213815
072EE000100        0
073 A010100   0.0000
073 A020100   0.0000
073 B000100   0.0000
073 C000100   0.0000
074 A000100     4648
074 B000100        0
074 C000100   563476
<PAGE>      PAGE  9
074 D000100  5586618
074 E000100   305755
074 F000100    44233
074 G000100        0
074 H000100        0
074 I000100        0
074 J000100    13804
074 K000100        0
074 L000100   150838
074 M000100      114
074 N000100  6669486
074 O000100    22793
074 P000100     5407
074 Q000100        0
074 R010100        0
074 R020100        0
074 R030100        0
074 R040100    39635
074 S000100        0
074 T000100  6601651
074 U010100   174129
074 U020100   663491
074 V010100     0.00
074 V020100     0.00
074 W000100   0.0000
074 X000100   297840
074 Y000100        0
075 A000100        0
075 B000100  6267384
076  000100     0.00
024  000200 Y
025 A000201 UBS SECURITIES FUNDING, INC.
025 C000201 D
025 D000201   46618
025 A000202 SALOMON INC.
025 C000202 D
025 D000202   33439
025 A000203 MORGAN STANLEY GROUP INC.
025 C000203 D
025 D000203    8782
025 A000204 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
025 B000204 13-2548466
025 C000204 D
025 D000204    5025
025 D000205       0
025 D000206       0
025 D000207       0
025 D000208       0
028 A010200     34892
028 A020200      4291
028 A030200         0
<PAGE>      PAGE  10
028 A040200     31136
028 B010200     29872
028 B020200      5391
028 B030200         0
028 B040200     41726
028 C010200     53999
028 C020200         0
028 C030200         0
028 C040200     77059
028 D010200     66979
028 D020200      8958
028 D030200         0
028 D040200     84781
028 E010200     65457
028 E020200      3811
028 E030200         0
028 E040200     75406
028 F010200     56051
028 F020200      3832
028 F030200         0
028 F040200     69203
028 G010200    307250
028 G020200     26283
028 G030200         0
028 G040200    379311
028 H000200    152214
029  000200 Y
030 A000200     89
030 B000200  4.00
030 C000200  0.00
031 A000200      8
031 B000200      0
032  000200      0
033  000200     81
034  000200 Y
035  000200   1523
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   2993
044  000200      0
045  000200 Y
046  000200 N
047  000200 Y
<PAGE>      PAGE  11
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   3.3
062 E000200   0.0
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   4.8
062 N000200   1.2
062 O000200   0.0
062 P000200  73.0
062 Q000200  16.6
062 R000200   0.0
063 A000200   0
063 B000200  4.6
064 A000200 N
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 Y
070 B010200 N
<PAGE>      PAGE  12
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 Y
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   1008680
071 B000200   1048277
071 C000200   1408782
071 D000200   72
072 A000200  6
072 B000200    53736
072 C000200        0
072 D000200        0
072 E000200       13
072 F000200     2623
072 G000200       55
072 H000200        0
072 I000200     1169
072 J000200       40
072 K000200        0
072 L000200       58
072 M000200        4
072 N000200      132
<PAGE>      PAGE  13
072 O000200        0
072 P000200        0
072 Q000200        0
072 R000200        9
072 S000200        5
072 T000200     2993
072 U000200        0
072 V000200        0
072 W000200       13
072 X000200     7101
072 Y000200        0
072 Z000200    46648
072AA000200    13296
072BB000200     8076
072CC010200        0
072CC020200    15659
072DD010200    23377
072DD020200    23271
072EE000200        0
073 A010200   0.0000
073 A020200   0.0000
073 B000200   0.0000
073 C000200   0.0000
074 A000200        0
074 B000200    46618
074 C000200        0
074 D000200  1343026
074 E000200        0
074 F000200        0
074 G000200        0
074 H000200        0
074 I000200        0
074 J000200        0
074 K000200        0
074 L000200    34102
074 M000200       66
074 N000200  1423812
074 O000200        0
074 P000200      855
074 Q000200        0
074 R010200        0
074 R020200        0
074 R030200        0
074 R040200    17430
074 S000200        0
074 T000200  1405527
074 U010200    62877
074 U020200    64001
074 V010200     0.00
074 V020200     0.00
074 W000200   0.0000
<PAGE>      PAGE  14
074 X000200   114425
074 Y000200        0
075 A000200        0
075 B000200  1464665
076  000200     0.00
024  000300 Y
025 A000301 UBS SECURITIES FUNDING, INC.
025 C000301 D
025 D000301   19054
025 A000302 SALOMON INC.
025 C000302 D
025 D000302   13770
025 D000303       0
025 D000304       0
025 D000305       0
025 D000306       0
025 D000307       0
025 D000308       0
028 A010300     10348
028 A020300      1414
028 A030300         0
028 A040300     10687
028 B010300     16178
028 B020300      1794
028 B030300         0
028 B040300     11741
028 C010300     20649
028 C020300         0
028 C030300         0
028 C040300     30113
028 D010300     35350
028 D020300      3078
028 D030300         0
028 D040300     30923
028 E010300     21928
028 E020300      1330
028 E030300         0
028 E040300     30206
028 F010300     20669
028 F020300      1318
028 F030300         0
028 F040300     27151
028 G010300    125122
028 G020300      8934
028 G030300         0
028 G040300    140821
028 H000300     73941
029  000300 Y
030 A000300     10
030 B000300  1.00
030 C000300  0.00
<PAGE>      PAGE  15
031 A000300      1
031 B000300      0
032  000300      0
033  000300      9
034  000300 Y
035  000300    297
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    573
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
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  16
062 D000300   4.1
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  11.6
062 N000300   0.5
062 O000300   0.0
062 P000300  70.6
062 Q000300  12.3
062 R000300   0.0
063 A000300   0
063 B000300  4.0
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
070 H010300 N
070 H020300 N
070 I010300 N
070 I020300 N
070 J010300 Y
070 J020300 Y
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
<PAGE>      PAGE  17
070 Q020300 N
070 R010300 N
070 R020300 N
071 A000300    187676
071 B000300    202859
071 C000300    462446
071 D000300   41
072 A000300  6
072 B000300    17109
072 C000300        0
072 D000300        0
072 E000300        9
072 F000300      868
072 G000300       31
072 H000300        0
072 I000300      526
072 J000300       19
072 K000300        0
072 L000300       20
072 M000300        2
072 N000300       42
072 O000300        0
072 P000300        0
072 Q000300        0
072 R000300        5
072 S000300        1
072 T000300      573
072 U000300        0
072 V000300        0
072 W000300        6
072 X000300     2093
072 Y000300        0
072 Z000300    15025
072AA000300     2503
072BB000300     1793
072CC010300        0
072CC020300     4872
072DD010300     8463
072DD020300     6562
072EE000300        0
073 A010300   0.0000
073 A020300   0.0000
073 B000300   0.0000
073 C000300   0.0000
074 A000300        1
074 B000300    19054
074 C000300        0
074 D000300   442322
074 E000300        0
074 F000300        0
074 G000300        0
<PAGE>      PAGE  18
074 H000300        0
074 I000300        0
074 J000300        0
074 K000300        0
074 L000300     9365
074 M000300       46
074 N000300   470788
074 O000300        0
074 P000300      221
074 Q000300        0
074 R010300        0
074 R020300        0
074 R030300        0
074 R040300     4895
074 S000300        0
074 T000300   465672
074 U010300    23905
074 U020300    17751
074 V010300     0.00
074 V020300     0.00
074 W000300   0.0000
074 X000300    53641
074 Y000300        0
075 A000300        0
075 B000300   484668
076  000300     0.00
SIGNATURE   GERALD M. RICHARD                            
TITLE       TREASURER           
 


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000276463
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 011
   <NAME> HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       6531940362
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      6500081507
<RECEIVABLES>                                164642289
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                 4762259
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              6669486055
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      22792438
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     45042177
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           67834615
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    6643962769
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        125477999
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        119457213
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       (4308)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2665658)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (7782508)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (31858855)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 988631862
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              8801348
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            296884453
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 3958029
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (34926915)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      274716915
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     (2641246)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (48266500)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        223809169
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (45824762)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       16620753
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (13343528)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            2743561
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       773428234
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5141262)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                      (2665658)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         12785554
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               34926915
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         976452803
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.93
<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>                               7.88
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .50
<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> 012
   <NAME> HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       6531940362
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      6500081507
<RECEIVABLES>                                164642289
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                 4762259
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              6669486055
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      22792438
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     45042177
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           67834615
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    6643962769
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        601649311
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        535749707
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       (4308)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2665658)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (7782508)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (31858855)
<NET-ASSETS>                                4741723376
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              8801348
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            296884453
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 3958029
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (34926915)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      274716915
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     (2641246)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (48266500)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        223809169
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                  (195563110)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       99818917
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (45025969)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                           11106656
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       773428234
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5141262)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                      (2665658)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         12785554
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               34926915
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        4534630185
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.93
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.05)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.34)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.88
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.26
<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> 013
   <NAME> HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       6531940362
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      6500081507
<RECEIVABLES>                                164642289
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                 4762259
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              6669486055
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      22792438
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     45042177
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           67834615
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    6643962769
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         61841195
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         45662400
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       (4308)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2665658)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (7782508)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (31858855)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 487713101
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              8801348
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            296884453
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 3958029
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (34926915)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      274716915
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     (2641246)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (48266500)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        223809169
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (18251648)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       22106720
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (7194926)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            1267001
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       773428234
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5141262)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                      (2665658)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         12785554
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               34926915
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         426005625
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.94
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.05)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.34)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.89
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.31
<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> 014
   <NAME> HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       6531940362
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      6500081507
<RECEIVABLES>                                164642289
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                 4762259
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              6669486055
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      22792438
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     45042177
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           67834615
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    6643962769
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         48650993
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         33727435
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       (4308)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                       (2665658)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (7782508)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (31858855)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 383583101
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              8801348
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            296884453
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 3958029
<EXPENSES-NET>                              (34926915)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      274716915
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     (2641246)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (48266500)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        223809169
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (15081703)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       20158096
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (6167755)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             933217
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       773428234
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5141262)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                      (2665658)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                         12785554
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                               34926915
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         330295203
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             7.94
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .37
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.06)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.37)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.88
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .75
<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> 031
   <NAME> INTERMEDIATE TERM PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        470930891
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       461376182
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9364393
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   47321
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               470787896
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      5115947
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5115947
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     485400641
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         19010354
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         19197959
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4653344)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                     (5520639)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     (9554709)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 212513579
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             17108719
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    9234
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2093020)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       15024933
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        709579
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (4872427)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         10862085
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (7118756)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        6385422
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (6889764)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             316737
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (10927983)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5362923)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (5520639)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           867824
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2093020
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         220783613
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.28
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .37
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.10)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.37)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.18
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .62
<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> 032
   <NAME> INTERMEDIATE TERM PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        470930891
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       461376182
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9364393
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   47321
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               470787896
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      5115947
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5115947
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     485400641
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         17050859
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         19205835
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4653344)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                     (5520639)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     (9554709)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 190614851
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             17108719
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    9234
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2093020)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       15024933
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        709579
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (4872427)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         10862085
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (6279597)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        2128934
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (4655436)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             371526
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (10927983)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5362923)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (5520639)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           867824
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2093020
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         211953169
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.28
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.10)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.34)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.18
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.14
<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> 033
   <NAME> INTERMEDIATE TERM PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        470930891
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       461376182
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9364393
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   47321
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               470787896
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      5115947
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5115947
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     485400641
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           699774
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           899296
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4653344)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                     (5520639)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     (9554709)
<NET-ASSETS>                                   7823069
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             17108719
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    9234
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2093020)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       15024933
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        709579
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (4872427)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         10862085
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (282039)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         138977
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (357430)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              18931
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (10927983)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5362923)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (5520639)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           867824
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2093020
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           9577035
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.28
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.10)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.34)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.18
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.18
<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> 034
   <NAME> INTERMEDIATE TERM PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        470930891
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       461376182
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9364393
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   47321
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               470787896
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      5115947
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            5115947
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     485400641
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          4894644
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          2949249
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (4653344)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                     (5520639)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     (9554709)
<NET-ASSETS>                                  54720450
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             17108719
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    9234
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2093020)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       15024933
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        709579
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    (4872427)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         10862085
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (1344541)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        2404457
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   (535805)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              76743
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (10927983)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (5362923)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                   (5520639)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           867824
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                2093020
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          42353949
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.28
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .36
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.10)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.36)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.18
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .72
<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> 021
   <NAME> INVESTMENT GRADE PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1416484732
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      1389644261
<RECEIVABLES>                                 34102130
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   65728
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1423812119
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     18285585
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           18285585
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1465591439
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         56615677
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         54539733
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (1459727)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                    (31764707)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (26840471)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 627158339
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             53735825
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   13605
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (7101070)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       46648360
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       5220391
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (15659006)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         36209745
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (21153925)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       17744846
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (16524091)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             855189
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (56216351)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (6680118)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                  (31764707)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2622901
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                7101070
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         623262087
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.16
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .38
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.08)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.38)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.08
<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> 022
   <NAME> INVESTMENT GRADE PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1416484732
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      1389644261
<RECEIVABLES>                                 34102130
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   65728
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1423812119
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     18285585
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           18285585
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1465591439
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         58701653
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         64858598
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (1459727)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                    (31764707)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (26840471)
<NET-ASSETS>                                 650246403
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             53735825
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   13605
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (7101070)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       46648360
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       5220391
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (15659006)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         36209745
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                   (21331389)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        6705338
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (14084459)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            1222176
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (56216351)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (6680118)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                  (31764707)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2622901
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                7101070
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         708405828
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.16
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.08)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.34)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.08
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.32
<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> 023
   <NAME> INVESTMENT GRADE PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1416484732
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      1389644261
<RECEIVABLES>                                 34102130
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   65728
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1423812119
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     18285585
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           18285585
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1465591439
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          5298903
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          5813886
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (1459727)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                    (31764707)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (26840471)
<NET-ASSETS>                                  58719185
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             53735825
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   13605
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (7101070)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       46648360
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       5220391
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (15659006)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         36209745
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (1940011)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1119321
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1756532)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             122228
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (56216351)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (6680118)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                  (31764707)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2622901
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                7101070
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          65009167
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.17
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .34
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.09)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.34)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.08
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.38
<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> 024
   <NAME> INVESTMENT GRADE PORTFOLIO
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       1416484732
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      1389644261
<RECEIVABLES>                                 34102130
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   65728
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              1423812119
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     18285585
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           18285585
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    1465591439
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          6261541
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          5713177
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      (1459727)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                    (31764707)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    (26840471)
<NET-ASSETS>                                  69402607
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             53735825
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   13605
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (7101070)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       46648360
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       5220391
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (15659006)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         36209745
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (2223035)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        1769518
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (1345153)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             123999
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      (56216351)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (6680118)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                  (31764707)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          2622901
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                7101070
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          67988009
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.17
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .37
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.09)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.37)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.08
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .80
<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