<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 A000000 05/31/97
000 C000000 0000318874
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 MFS SERIES TRUST VII
001 B000000 811-3090
001 C000000 6179545000
002 A000000 500 BOYLSTON STREET
002 B000000 BOSTON
002 C000000 MA
002 D010000 02116
003 000000 N
004 000000 N
005 000000 N
006 000000 N
007 A000000 Y
007 B000000 2
007 C010100 1
007 C020100 MFS WORLD GOVERNMENTS FUND
007 C030100 N
007 C010200 2
007 C020200 MFS VALUE FUND
007 C030200 N
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 A00AA01 MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
008 B00AA01 A
008 C00AA01 801-17352
008 D01AA01 BOSTON
008 D02AA01 MA
008 D03AA01 02116
011 A00AA01 MFS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
011 B00AA01 8-27864
011 C01AA01 BOSTON
011 C02AA01 MA
011 C03AA01 02116
012 A00AA01 MFS SERVICE CENTER, INC.
012 B00AA01 84-1316
012 C01AA01 BOSTON
012 C02AA01 MA
<PAGE> PAGE 2
012 C03AA01 02116
018 00AA00 Y
019 A00AA00 Y
019 B00AA00 50
019 C00AA00 MASSFINSER
020 A000001 PERSHING DIVISION OF DLJ
020 B000001 13-2741729
020 C000001 194
020 A000002 MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER
020 B000002 13-5674085
020 C000002 114
020 A000003 MORGAN STANLEY & CO INC
020 B000003 13-2655998
020 C000003 93
020 A000004 SALOMON BROTHERS INC.
020 B000004 13-3082694
020 C000004 74
020 A000005 FIRST BOSTON
020 B000005 13-5659485
020 C000005 73
020 A000006 LEHMAN BROTHERS
020 B000006 13-2518466
020 C000006 70
020 A000007 UBS SECURITIES
020 B000007 13-2932996
020 C000007 65
020 A000008 MORGAN, J.P. EQUITIES, INC.
020 B000008 13-3224016
020 C000008 57
020 A000009 ROYAL ALLIANCE ASSOCIATES INC.
020 B000009 00-0000000
020 C000009 56
020 A000010 BANK OF NEW YORK
020 B000010 00-0000000
020 C000010 43
021 000000 1496
022 A000001 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO
022 B000001 13-5108880
022 C000001 740534
022 D000001 145213
022 A000002 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIESS
022 B000002 22-2347336
022 C000002 340826
022 D000002 31584
022 A000003 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORP.
022 B000003 00-0000000
022 C000003 325062
022 D000003 0
022 A000004 CARROLL MMC ENTEE
022 B000004 00-0000000
022 C000004 103343
<PAGE> PAGE 3
022 D000004 31448
022 A000005 SALOMON BROTHERS INC.
022 B000005 13-3082694
022 C000005 493338
022 D000005 73326
022 A000006 COMMONWEALTH SERVICES INC.
022 B000006 13-3439358
022 C000006 53549
022 D000006 63603
022 A000007 LEHMAN BROS. INC
022 B000007 13-2518466
022 C000007 42416
022 D000007 66147
022 A000008 RBC DOMONION SECURITIES
022 B000008 00-0000000
022 C000008 44751
022 D000008 52221
022 A000009 MORGAN, J.P. SECURITIES INC.
022 B000009 13-3224016
022 C000009 48364
022 D000009 48532
022 A000010 CHASE SECURITIES
022 B000010 13-3112953
022 C000010 95205
022 D000010 0
023 C000000 3134167
023 D000000 1111198
026 A000000 Y
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
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
<PAGE> PAGE 4
054 O00AA00 N
077 A000000 Y
077 I000000 Y
077 Q010000 Y
078 000000 N
080 A00AA00 NATIONAL UNION INSURANCE CO.
080 B00AA00 FEDERAL INS
080 C00AA00 75000
081 A00AA00 Y
081 B00AA00 116
082 A00AA00 Y
082 B00AA00 100
083 A00AA00 N
083 B00AA00 0
084 A00AA00 N
084 B00AA00 0
085 A00AA00 Y
085 B00AA00 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
013 A000101 ERNST & YOUNG LLP
013 B010101 BOSTON
013 B020101 MA
013 B030101 02116
015 A000101 STATE STREET BANK & TRUST COMPANY
015 B000101 C
015 C010101 BOSTON
015 C020101 MA
015 C030101 02110
015 E010101 X
015 A000102 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
015 B000102 S
015 C010102 NEW YORK
015 C020102 NY
015 C030102 10081
015 E040102 X
015 A000103 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000103 S
015 C010103 NEW YORK
015 C020103 NY
015 C030103 10286
<PAGE> PAGE 5
015 E010103 X
024 000100 N
025 D000101 0
025 D000102 0
025 D000103 0
025 D000104 0
025 D000105 0
025 D000106 0
025 D000107 0
025 D000108 0
028 A010100 4279
028 A020100 7729
028 A030100 0
028 A040100 14101
028 B010100 7362
028 B020100 5
028 B030100 0
028 B040100 19557
028 C010100 4236
028 C020100 0
028 C030100 0
028 C040100 14204
028 D010100 5405
028 D020100 1
028 D030100 0
028 D040100 14577
028 E010100 13830
028 E020100 1
028 E030100 0
028 E040100 21648
028 F010100 11494
028 F020100 0
028 F030100 0
028 F040100 16452
028 G010100 46606
028 G020100 7736
028 G030100 0
028 G040100 100539
028 H000100 31791
029 000100 Y
030 A000100 151
030 B000100 4.75
030 C000100 0.00
031 A000100 25
031 B000100 0
032 000100 126
033 000100 0
034 000100 Y
035 000100 179
036 A000100 N
036 B000100 0
<PAGE> PAGE 6
037 000100 N
038 000100 0
039 000100 N
040 000100 Y
041 000100 Y
042 A000100 0
042 B000100 0
042 C000100 41
042 D000100 59
042 E000100 0
042 F000100 0
042 G000100 0
042 H000100 0
043 000100 846
044 000100 0
045 000100 Y
046 000100 N
047 000100 Y
048 000100 0.000
048 A010100 500000
048 A020100 0.750
048 B010100 0
048 B020100 0.700
048 C010100 0
048 C020100 0.000
048 D010100 0
048 D020100 0.000
048 E010100 0
048 E020100 0.000
048 F010100 0
048 F020100 0.000
048 G010100 0
048 G020100 0.000
048 H010100 0
048 H020100 0.000
048 I010100 0
048 I020100 0.000
048 J010100 0
048 J020100 0.000
048 K010100 500000
048 K020100 0.700
049 000100 N
050 000100 N
051 000100 N
052 000100 N
053 A000100 Y
053 B000100 Y
053 C000100 N
055 A000100 N
055 B000100 N
056 000100 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 7
057 000100 N
058 A000100 N
059 000100 Y
060 A000100 N
060 B000100 N
061 000100 1000
062 A000100 Y
062 B000100 0.0
062 C000100 16.0
062 D000100 0.0
062 E000100 0.0
062 F000100 0.0
062 G000100 0.0
062 H000100 0.0
062 I000100 2.8
062 J000100 0.0
062 K000100 0.0
062 L000100 0.0
062 M000100 3.3
062 N000100 0.1
062 O000100 0.0
062 P000100 12.2
062 Q000100 65.6
062 R000100 0.0
063 A000100 0
063 B000100 7.4
064 A000100 N
064 B000100 N
066 A000100 N
067 000100 N
068 A000100 N
068 B000100 Y
069 000100 N
070 A010100 Y
070 A020100 N
070 B010100 N
070 B020100 N
070 C010100 Y
070 C020100 Y
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
<PAGE> PAGE 8
070 J010100 Y
070 J020100 Y
070 K010100 Y
070 K020100 N
070 L010100 Y
070 L020100 Y
070 M010100 Y
070 M020100 Y
070 N010100 Y
070 N020100 N
070 O010100 Y
070 O020100 N
070 P010100 Y
070 P020100 N
070 Q010100 N
070 Q020100 N
070 R010100 N
070 R020100 N
071 A000100 603199
071 B000100 677549
071 C000100 281600
071 D000100 214
072 A000100 6
072 B000100 12337
072 C000100 0
072 D000100 0
072 E000100 0
072 F000100 1339
072 G000100 13
072 H000100 0
072 I000100 245
072 J000100 153
072 K000100 32
072 L000100 27
072 M000100 17
072 N000100 0
072 O000100 0
072 P000100 0
072 Q000100 0
072 R000100 30
072 S000100 2
072 T000100 846
072 U000100 0
072 V000100 0
072 W000100 169
072 X000100 2874
072 Y000100 17
072 Z000100 9480
072AA000100 0
072BB000100 10967
072CC010100 0
<PAGE> PAGE 9
072CC020100 14713
072DD010100 5825
072DD020100 1489
072EE000100 1409
073 A010100 0.2500
073 A020100 0.1700
073 B000100 0.1800
073 C000100 0.0300
074 A000100 25
074 B000100 0
074 C000100 61794
074 D000100 251691
074 E000100 0
074 F000100 0
074 G000100 0
074 H000100 0
074 I000100 475
074 J000100 71803
074 K000100 0
074 L000100 6346
074 M000100 3
074 N000100 392137
074 O000100 55261
074 P000100 20
074 Q000100 0
074 R010100 0
074 R020100 0
074 R030100 588
074 R040100 7474
074 S000100 0
074 T000100 328794
074 U010100 20647
074 U020100 8176
074 V010100 10.92
074 V020100 10.76
074 W000100 0.0000
074 X000100 23017
074 Y000100 1383657
075 A000100 0
075 B000100 357693
076 000100 0.00
013 A000201 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
013 B010201 BOSTON
013 B020201 MA
013 B030201 02110
015 A000201 INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
015 B000201 C
015 C010201 BOSTON
015 C020201 MA
015 C030201 02111
015 E010201 X
<PAGE> PAGE 10
015 A000202 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
015 B000202 S
015 C010202 NEW YORK
015 C020202 NY
015 C030202 10081
015 E040202 X
015 A000203 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
015 B000203 S
015 C010203 NEW YORK
015 C020203 NY
015 C030203 10286
015 E010203 X
024 000200 N
025 D000201 0
025 D000202 0
025 D000203 0
025 D000204 0
025 D000205 0
025 D000206 0
025 D000207 0
025 D000208 0
028 A010200 41196
028 A020200 52730
028 A030200 0
028 A040200 17845
028 B010200 74889
028 B020200 12
028 B030200 0
028 B040200 37646
028 C010200 38630
028 C020200 2
028 C030200 0
028 C040200 15379
028 D010200 39304
028 D020200 1
028 D030200 0
028 D040200 22363
028 E010200 40798
028 E020200 0
028 E030200 0
028 E040200 22467
028 F010200 38594
028 F020200 0
028 F030200 0
028 F040200 19448
028 G010200 273411
028 G020200 52745
028 G030200 0
028 G040200 135148
028 H000200 146394
029 000200 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 11
030 A000200 1420
030 B000200 5.75
030 C000200 0.00
031 A000200 187
031 B000200 0
032 000200 1233
033 000200 0
034 000200 Y
035 000200 239
036 A000200 N
036 B000200 0
037 000200 N
038 000200 0
039 000200 N
040 000200 Y
041 000200 Y
042 A000200 0
042 B000200 0
042 C000200 51
042 D000200 49
042 E000200 0
042 F000200 0
042 G000200 0
042 H000200 0
043 000200 2044
044 000200 0
045 000200 Y
046 000200 N
047 000200 Y
048 000200 0.750
048 A010200 0
048 A020200 0.000
048 B010200 0
048 B020200 0.000
048 C010200 0
048 C020200 0.000
048 D010200 0
048 D020200 0.000
048 E010200 0
048 E020200 0.000
048 F010200 0
048 F020200 0.000
048 G010200 0
048 G020200 0.000
048 H010200 0
048 H020200 0.000
048 I010200 0
048 I020200 0.000
048 J010200 0
048 J020200 0.000
048 K010200 0
<PAGE> PAGE 12
048 K020200 0.000
049 000200 N
050 000200 N
051 000200 N
052 000200 N
053 A000200 Y
053 B000200 Y
053 C000200 N
055 A000200 N
055 B000200 N
056 000200 Y
057 000200 N
058 A000200 N
059 000200 Y
060 A000200 Y
060 B000200 Y
061 000200 1000
062 A000200 N
062 B000200 0.0
062 C000200 0.0
062 D000200 0.0
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 0.0
062 N000200 0.0
062 O000200 0.0
062 P000200 0.0
062 Q000200 0.0
062 R000200 0.0
063 A000200 0
063 B000200 0.0
066 A000200 Y
066 B000200 N
066 C000200 Y
066 D000200 N
066 E000200 N
066 F000200 N
066 G000200 N
067 000200 N
068 A000200 N
068 B000200 N
069 000200 N
070 A010200 Y
070 A020200 Y
070 B010200 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 13
070 B020200 Y
070 C010200 Y
070 C020200 N
070 D010200 Y
070 D020200 Y
070 E010200 Y
070 E020200 N
070 F010200 Y
070 F020200 N
070 G010200 Y
070 G020200 N
070 H010200 Y
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 Y
070 N010200 Y
070 N020200 N
070 O010200 Y
070 O020200 N
070 P010200 Y
070 P020200 Y
070 Q010200 N
070 Q020200 N
070 R010200 N
070 R020200 N
071 A000200 685313
071 B000200 527264
071 C000200 675979
071 D000200 78
072 A000200 6
072 B000200 3314
072 C000200 3738
072 D000200 0
072 E000200 -153
072 F000200 2955
072 G000200 32
072 H000200 0
072 I000200 539
072 J000200 155
072 K000200 77
072 L000200 37
072 M000200 23
072 N000200 0
<PAGE> PAGE 14
072 O000200 0
072 P000200 0
072 Q000200 0
072 R000200 17
072 S000200 3
072 T000200 2152
072 U000200 0
072 V000200 0
072 W000200 399
072 X000200 6389
072 Y000200 45
072 Z000200 554
072AA000200 40222
072BB000200 0
072CC010200 29022
072CC020200 0
072DD010200 946
072DD020200 0
072EE000200 60115
073 A010200 0.0300
073 A020200 0.0100
073 B000200 3.3300
073 C000200 0.0000
074 A000200 7
074 B000200 0
074 C000200 34788
074 D000200 140663
074 E000200 351
074 F000200 695182
074 G000200 14781
074 H000200 0
074 I000200 0
074 J000200 16194
074 K000200 0
074 L000200 4124
074 M000200 120
074 N000200 906210
074 O000200 1205
074 P000200 57
074 Q000200 0
074 R010200 0
074 R020200 0
074 R030200 0
074 R040200 1920
074 S000200 0
074 T000200 903028
074 U010200 38091
074 U020200 24953
074 V010200 13.28
074 V020200 14.09
074 W000200 0.0000
<PAGE> PAGE 15
074 X000200 65839
074 Y000200 0
075 A000200 0
075 B000200 786590
076 000200 0.00
SIGNATURE JAMES O. YOST
TITLE ASSISTANT TREASURER
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 021
<NAME> MFS VALUE FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 797141366
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 885765008
<RECEIVABLES> 20317428
<ASSETS-OTHER> 121033
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 6760
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 906210229
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1205435
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1976706
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3182141
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 772425059
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 38090887
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 32032997
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 90425
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 41987203
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 88525401
<NET-ASSETS> 903028088
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3737647
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3313737
<OTHER-INCOME> (153399)
<EXPENSES-NET> (6344323)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 553662
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 40221699
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 29021988
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 69797349
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (946436)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (36139797)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 11619564
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (8346032)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2784358
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 199384061
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 511690
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 61880975
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2954980
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 6389323
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 786590292
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.34
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.03
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.06
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.03)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.12)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.28
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.33
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 022
<NAME> MFS VALUE FUND CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 797141366
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 885765008
<RECEIVABLES> 20317428
<ASSETS-OTHER> 121033
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 6760
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 906210229
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1205435
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1976706
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3182141
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 772425059
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 24952611
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 18772807
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 90425
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 41987203
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 88525401
<NET-ASSETS> 903028088
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3737647
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3313737
<OTHER-INCOME> (153399)
<EXPENSES-NET> (6344323)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 553662
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 40221699
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 29021988
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 69797349
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (21106896)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 6707366
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (2009903)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1482341
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 199384061
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 511690
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 61880975
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2954980
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 6389323
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 786590292
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.01
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.02)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.02
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.09)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.09
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 023
<NAME> MFS VALUE FUND CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 797141366
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 885765008
<RECEIVABLES> 20317428
<ASSETS-OTHER> 121033
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 6760
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 906210229
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1205435
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1976706
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3182141
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 772425059
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 3846028
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 2450396
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 90425
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 41987203
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 88525401
<NET-ASSETS> 903028088
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3737647
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3313737
<OTHER-INCOME> (153399)
<EXPENSES-NET> (6344323)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 553662
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 40221699
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 29021988
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 69797349
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (28491)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (2868778)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1561267
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (285769)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 120134
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 199384061
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 511690
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 61880975
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2954980
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 6389323
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 786590292
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 13.03
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.02)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.02
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.12)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.90
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.08
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 024
<NAME> MFS VALUE FUND CLASS I
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 797141366
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 885765008
<RECEIVABLES> 20317428
<ASSETS-OTHER> 121033
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 6760
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 906210229
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1205435
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1976706
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3182141
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 772425059
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1898556
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 90425
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 41987203
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 88525401
<NET-ASSETS> 903028088
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3737647
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3313737
<OTHER-INCOME> (153399)
<EXPENSES-NET> (6344323)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 553662
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 40221699
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 29021988
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 69797349
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2074574
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (176018)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 199384061
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 511690
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 61880975
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2954980
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 6389323
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 786590292
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.22
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.04
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.03
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.29
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.08
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 011
<NAME> MFS WORLD GOVERNMENTS FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 319818695
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 313959579
<RECEIVABLES> 78149500
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2884
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 25269
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 392137232
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 55260563
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8082540
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 63343103
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 334007460
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 20647422
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 24245272
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 13406308
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (11217600)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (7402039)
<NET-ASSETS> 328794129
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 12336594
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (2856764)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9479830
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (10966530)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (14712902)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (16199602)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (5825293)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (1408600)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> (175818)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2903909
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (7023412)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 521653
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (72180672)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 22983273
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 11526142
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1338743
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2874268
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 357693315
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.70
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.31
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.77)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.25)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (0.06)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.38
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 012
<NAME> MFS WORLD GOVERNMENTS FUND CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 319818695
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 313959579
<RECEIVABLES> 78149500
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2884
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 25269
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 392137232
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 55260563
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8082540
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 63343103
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 334007460
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 8176122
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 8933379
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 13406308
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (11217600)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (7402039)
<NET-ASSETS> 328794129
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 12336594
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (2856764)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9479830
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (10966530)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (14712902)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (16199602)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (1489354)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (527589)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> (65852)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 935031
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (1840450)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 148162
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (72180672)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 22983273
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 11526142
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1338743
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2874268
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 357693315
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.50
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.26
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.76)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.17)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (0.06)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.76
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.15
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 013
<NAME> MFS WORLD GOVERNMENTS FUND CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 319818695
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 313959579
<RECEIVABLES> 78149500
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2884
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 25269
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 392137232
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 55260563
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8082540
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 63343103
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 334007460
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1211250
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1259165
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 13406308
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (11217600)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (7402039)
<NET-ASSETS> 328794129
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 12336594
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (2856764)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9479830
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (10966530)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (14712902)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (16199602)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (222681)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (75309)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> (9400)
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 150360
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (216965)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 18690
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (72180672)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 22983273
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 11526142
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1338743
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2874268
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 357693315
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.51
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.26
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.77)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.18)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (0.06)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.75
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.14
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 014
<NAME> MFS WORLD GOVERNMENTS FUND CLASS I
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 319818695
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 313959579
<RECEIVABLES> 78149500
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2884
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 25269
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 392137232
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 55260563
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8082540
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 63343103
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 334007460
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 215215
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 13406308
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> (11217600)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (7402039)
<NET-ASSETS> 328794129
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 12336594
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (2856764)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9479830
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (10966530)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (14712902)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (16199602)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 263916
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (48701)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (72180672)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 22983273
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 11526142
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1338743
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9479830
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2874268
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 357693315
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.24
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.32
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (0.63)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.93
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.12
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>