<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 B000000 12/31/97
000 C000000 0000314367
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 MSDW TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
001 B000000 811-2979
001 C000000 2123922550
002 A000000 TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
002 B000000 NEW YORK
002 C000000 NY
002 D010000 10048
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 N
007 B000000 0
007 C010100 1
007 C010200 2
007 C010300 3
007 C010400 4
007 C010500 5
007 C010600 6
007 C010700 7
007 C010800 8
007 C010900 9
007 C011000 10
008 A000001 MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER ADVISORS INC.
008 B000001 A
008 C000001 801-42061
008 D010001 NEW YORK
008 D020001 NY
008 D030001 10048
010 A000001 DELETE
011 A000001 MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
011 B000001 8-45262
011 C010001 NEW YORK
011 C020001 NY
011 C030001 10048
012 A000001 MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB
012 B000001 84-1785
012 C010001 JERSEY CITY
012 C020001 NJ
012 C030001 07311
013 A000001 PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
013 B010001 NEW YORK
<PAGE> PAGE 2
013 B020001 NY
013 B030001 10036
014 A000001 DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
014 B000001 8-14172
014 A000002 MORGAN STANLEY & CO.INCORPORATED
014 B000002 8-15869
015 A000001 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000001 C
015 C010001 NEW YORK
015 C020001 NY
015 C030001 10286
015 E010001 X
018 000000 Y
019 A000000 Y
019 B000000 133
019 C000000 MSDW-FUNDS
020 C000001 0
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 0
022 A000001 EDWARDS (AG) & SONS INC.
022 B000001 43-0895447
022 C000001 42000
022 D000001 57512
022 A000002 SMITH BEARNEY SHEARSON INC.
022 B000002 13-1912200
022 C000002 55796
022 D000002 35990
022 A000003 MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
022 B000003 13-5674085
022 C000003 54590
022 D000003 37004
022 A000004 MORGAN (JP) SECURITIES INC.
022 B000004 13-3224016
022 C000004 21647
022 D000004 12908
022 A000005 BEAR STEARNS & CO. INC.
022 B000005 13-3299429
022 C000005 16223
022 D000005 5201
022 A000006 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
022 B000006 13-5108880
022 C000006 12240
022 D000006 4853
<PAGE> PAGE 3
022 A000007 RAYMOND JAMES AND ASSOCIATES INC.
022 B000007 59-1237041
022 C000007 8654
022 D000007 7327
022 A000008 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
022 B000008 13-2518466
022 C000008 10024
022 D000008 5368
022 A000009 SUNTRUST
022 B000009 58-2109565
022 C000009 0
022 D000009 12700
022 A000010 FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS
022 B000010 5615290808
022 C000010 2464
022 D000010 10177
023 C000000 266893
023 D000000 252028
024 000000 N
025 D000001 0
025 D000002 0
025 D000003 0
025 D000004 0
025 D000005 0
025 D000006 0
025 D000007 0
025 D000008 0
026 A000000 N
026 B000000 Y
026 C000000 N
026 D000000 Y
026 E000000 N
026 F000000 N
026 G010000 N
026 G020000 N
026 H000000 N
027 000000 Y
028 A010000 6974
028 A020000 2580
028 A030000 0
028 A040000 14834
028 B010000 4071
028 B020000 2548
028 B030000 0
028 B040000 8579
028 C010000 7078
028 C020000 2694
028 C030000 0
028 C040000 12617
028 D010000 5692
028 D020000 2852
<PAGE> PAGE 4
028 D030000 0
028 D040000 12003
028 E010000 3976
028 E020000 2567
028 E030000 0
028 E040000 11622
028 F010000 7486
028 F020000 2631
028 F030000 0
028 F040000 11389
028 G010000 35277
028 G020000 15872
028 G030000 0
028 G040000 71044
028 H000000 6298
029 000000 Y
030 A000000 95
030 B000000 4.25
030 C000000 1.75
031 A000000 0
031 B000000 9
032 000000 0
033 000000 104
034 000000 Y
035 000000 60
036 A000000 Y
036 B000000 0
037 000000 N
038 000000 0
039 000000 N
040 000000 Y
041 000000 Y
042 A000000 0
042 B000000 0
042 C000000 100
042 D000000 0
042 E000000 0
042 F000000 0
042 G000000 0
042 H000000 0
043 000000 324
044 000000 0
045 000000 Y
046 000000 N
047 000000 Y
048 000000 0.000
048 A010000 500000
048 A020000 0.500
048 B010000 250000
048 B020000 0.425
048 C010000 250000
<PAGE> PAGE 5
048 C020000 0.375
048 D010000 250000
048 D020000 0.350
048 E010000 0
048 E020000 0.000
048 F010000 0
048 F020000 0.000
048 G010000 0
048 G020000 0.000
048 H010000 0
048 H020000 0.000
048 I010000 0
048 I020000 0.000
048 J010000 0
048 J020000 0.000
048 K010000 1250000
048 K020000 0.325
049 000000 N
050 000000 N
051 000000 N
052 000000 N
053 A000000 N
054 A000000 Y
054 B000000 Y
054 C000000 Y
054 D000000 N
054 E000000 N
054 F000000 N
054 G000000 Y
054 H000000 Y
054 I000000 N
054 J000000 Y
054 K000000 N
054 L000000 Y
054 M000000 Y
054 N000000 N
054 O000000 N
055 A000000 N
055 B000000 N
056 000000 Y
057 000000 N
058 A000000 N
059 000000 Y
060 A000000 Y
060 B000000 Y
061 000000 1000
062 A000000 Y
062 B000000 0.0
062 C000000 0.0
062 D000000 0.0
062 E000000 2.5
<PAGE> PAGE 6
062 F000000 0.0
062 G000000 0.0
062 H000000 0.0
062 I000000 0.0
062 J000000 0.0
062 K000000 0.0
062 L000000 0.0
062 M000000 0.0
062 N000000 0.0
062 O000000 96.9
062 P000000 0.0
062 Q000000 0.0
062 R000000 0.0
063 A000000 0
063 B000000 18.0
064 A000000 Y
064 B000000 N
066 A000000 N
067 000000 N
068 A000000 N
068 B000000 N
069 000000 N
070 A010000 Y
070 A020000 N
070 B010000 N
070 B020000 N
070 C010000 Y
070 C020000 N
070 D010000 N
070 D020000 N
070 E010000 Y
070 E020000 N
070 F010000 N
070 F020000 N
070 G010000 Y
070 G020000 N
070 H010000 N
070 H020000 N
070 I010000 N
070 I020000 N
070 J010000 N
070 J020000 N
070 K010000 Y
070 K020000 N
070 L010000 N
070 L020000 N
070 M010000 N
070 M020000 N
070 N010000 Y
070 N020000 N
070 O010000 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 7
070 O020000 N
070 P010000 Y
070 P020000 Y
070 Q010000 N
070 Q020000 N
070 R010000 N
070 R020000 N
071 A000000 110703
071 B000000 137693
071 C000000 1152890
071 D000000 10
072 A000000 6
072 B000000 33447
072 C000000 0
072 D000000 0
072 E000000 0
072 F000000 2554
072 G000000 0
072 H000000 0
072 I000000 217
072 J000000 24
072 K000000 0
072 L000000 32
072 M000000 10
072 N000000 33
072 O000000 0
072 P000000 0
072 Q000000 0
072 R000000 20
072 S000000 4
072 T000000 324
072 U000000 0
072 V000000 0
072 W000000 17
072 X000000 3235
072 Y000000 24
072 Z000000 30236
072AA000000 9426
072BB000000 172
072CC010000 93754
072CC020000 0
072DD010000 2488
072DD020000 27748
072EE000000 4392
073 A010000 0.0000
073 A020000 0.0000
073 B000000 0.0452
073 C000000 0.0000
074 A000000 887
074 B000000 0
074 C000000 29185
<PAGE> PAGE 8
074 D000000 1136967
074 E000000 0
074 F000000 0
074 G000000 0
074 H000000 0
074 I000000 0
074 J000000 7369
074 K000000 0
074 L000000 17842
074 M000000 108
074 N000000 1192358
074 O000000 16732
074 P000000 566
074 Q000000 0
074 R010000 0
074 R020000 0
074 R030000 0
074 R040000 1434
074 S000000 0
074 T000000 1173626
074 U010000 9772
074 U020000 87795
074 V010000 0.00
074 V020000 0.00
074 W000000 0.0000
074 X000000 25512
074 Y000000 82324
075 A000000 0
075 B000000 1185852
076 000000 0.00
077 A000000 Y
077 B000000 Y
077 C000000 Y
077 D000000 N
077 E000000 N
077 F000000 N
077 G000000 N
077 H000000 N
077 I000000 N
077 J000000 N
077 K000000 N
077 L000000 N
077 M000000 N
077 N000000 N
077 O000000 N
077 P000000 N
077 Q010000 N
077 Q020000 N
077 Q030000 N
078 000000 N
080 A000000 ICI MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
<PAGE> PAGE 9
080 B000000 GULF, VIGILANT, RELIANCE & CHUBB
080 C000000 110000
081 A000000 Y
081 B000000 127
082 A000000 N
082 B000000 0
083 A000000 N
083 B000000 0
084 A000000 N
084 B000000 0
085 A000000 Y
085 B000000 N
086 A010000 0
086 A020000 0
086 B010000 0
086 B020000 0
086 C010000 0
086 C020000 0
086 D010000 0
086 D020000 0
086 E010000 0
086 E020000 0
086 F010000 0
086 F020000 0
SIGNATURE BARRY FINK
TITLE VICE PRESIDENT
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<MSDW TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST>
<CLASS A>
<ARTICLE> 6
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,072,397,642
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,166,151,542
<RECEIVABLES> 25,211,636
<ASSETS-OTHER> 995,076
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,192,358,258
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 16,732,313
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,000,225
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 18,732,538
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,070,583,069
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 814,660
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 319,033
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 34,517
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 9,254,230
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 93,753,904
<NET-ASSETS> 9,806,023
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 33,446,848
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 3,210,433
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30,236,415
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 9,254,294
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (10,722,388)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 28,768,321
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 171,477
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 36,658
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 521,393
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 30,798
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 5,032
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (25,754,979)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 34,517
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,392,112
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,554,074
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 3,234,718
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 7,061,061
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.09
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.30
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.30
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.05
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.04
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.72
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<MSDW TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST>
<CLASS B>
<ARTICLE> 6
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,072,397,642
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,166,151,542
<RECEIVABLES> 25,211,636
<ASSETS-OTHER> 995,076
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,192,358,258
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 16,732,313
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,000,225
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 18,732,538
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,070,583,069
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 8,957,603
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 7,872,615
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 34,517
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 9,254,230
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 93,753,904
<NET-ASSETS> 108,211,555
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 33,446,848
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 3,210,433
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30,236,415
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 9,254,294
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (10,722,388)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 28,768,321
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 2,316,390
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 402,639
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,921,579
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 933,060
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 96,469
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (25,754,979)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 34,517
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,392,112
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,554,074
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 3,234,718
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 101,858,090
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.14
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.28
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.28
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.05
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.08
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.09
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<MSDW TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST>
<CLASS C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,072,397,642
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,166,151,546
<RECEIVABLES> 25,211,636
<ASSETS-OTHER> 995,076
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,192,358,258
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 16,732,313
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,000,225
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 18,732,538
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,070,583,069
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 379,884
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 243,831
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 34,517
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 9,254,230
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 93,753,904
<NET-ASSETS> 4,578,728
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 33,446,848
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 3,210,433
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30,236,415
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 9,254,294
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (10,722,388)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 28,768,321
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 81,787
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 16,840
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 178,822
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 47,097
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 4,328
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (25,754,979)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 34,517
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,392,112
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,554,074
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 3,234,718
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 3,704,773
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.11
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.27
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.27
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.05
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.05
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.19
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<MSDW TAX-EXEMPY SECURITIES TRUST>
<CLASS D>
<ARTICLE> 6
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,072,397,642
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,166,151,546
<RECEIVABLES> 25,211,636
<ASSETS-OTHER> 995,076
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,192,358,258
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 16,732,313
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,000,225
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 18,732,538
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,070,583,069
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 87,415,500
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 90,784,537
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 34,517
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 9,254,230
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 93,753,904
<NET-ASSETS> 1,051,029,414
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 33,446,848
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 3,210,433
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 30,236,415
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 9,254,294
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (10,722,388)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 28,768,321
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 27,666,761
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 3,936,039
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 290,671
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 4,872,621
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1,212,913
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (25,754,979)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 34,517
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 4,392,112
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2,554,074
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 3,234,718
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,073,228,313
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.08
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.31
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.31
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.05
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.02
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.49
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
