<PAGE> PAGE 1
000 B000000 11/30/96
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 MERRILL LYNCH
020 B000001 13-5674085
020 C000001 134
020 A000002 MORGAN STANLEY
020 B000002 13-2655998
020 C000002 128
020 A000003 PRIVATE LEDGER
020 B000003 00-0000000
020 C000003 81
020 A000004 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
020 B000004 13-5108880
020 C000004 71
020 A000005 DONALDSON LUFKIN
020 B000005 13-2741729
020 C000005 61
020 A000006 FSC SECURITIES CORP.
020 B000006 00-0000000
020 C000006 61
020 A000007 CS FIRST BOSTON
020 B000007 13-5659485
020 C000007 56
020 A000008 MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
020 B000008 00-0000000
020 C000008 53
020 A000009 PAINE WEBBER
020 B000009 13-2638166
020 C000009 51
020 A000010 INSTINET CORP.
020 B000010 13-3443395
020 C000010 46
021 000000 1705
022 A000001 G.E. FINANCIALS
022 B000001 06-1109503
022 C000001 1066676
022 D000001 0
022 A000002 MORGAN J.P. SECURITIES
022 B000002 13-3224016
022 C000002 413301
022 D000002 250987
022 A000003 CS FIRST BOSTON CORP.
022 B000003 13-5659485
022 C000003 416958
022 D000003 68742
022 A000004 LEHMAN BROTHERS
022 B000004 13-2518466
022 C000004 393536
<PAGE> PAGE 3
022 D000004 0
022 A000005 PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES
022 B000005 22-2347336
022 C000005 291330
022 D000005 88792
022 A000006 HONG KONG-SHANGHAI
022 B000006 00-0000000
022 C000006 342674
022 D000006 32487
022 A000007 FIRST CHICAGO
022 B000007 36-3595942
022 C000007 345867
022 D000007 0
022 A000008 NATIONS BANK
022 B000008 75-0520130
022 C000008 257917
022 D000008 0
022 A000009 CHASE MANHATTAN
022 B000009 13-3112953
022 C000009 249994
022 D000009 399
022 A000010 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
022 B000010 13-5108880
022 C000010 171006
022 D000010 76977
023 C000000 5834559
023 D000000 1679977
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 B000000 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
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
015 E010103 X
024 000100 Y
025 A000101 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.
025 B000101 06-1109503
025 C000101 D
025 D000101 9122
025 D000102 0
025 D000103 0
025 D000104 0
025 D000105 0
025 D000106 0
<PAGE> PAGE 5
025 D000107 0
025 D000108 0
028 A010100 3561
028 A020100 0
028 A030100 0
028 A040100 14399
028 B010100 9264
028 B020100 0
028 B030100 0
028 B040100 10529
028 C010100 5677
028 C020100 0
028 C030100 0
028 C040100 12017
028 D010100 4765
028 D020100 0
028 D030100 0
028 D040100 12435
028 E010100 5986
028 E020100 2
028 E030100 0
028 E040100 12004
028 F010100 5879
028 F020100 0
028 F030100 0
028 F040100 8865
028 G010100 35132
028 G020100 2
028 G030100 0
028 G040100 70249
028 H000100 14792
029 000100 Y
030 A000100 517
030 B000100 4.75
030 C000100 0.00
031 A000100 87
031 B000100 0
032 000100 430
033 000100 0
034 000100 Y
035 000100 222
036 A000100 N
036 B000100 0
037 000100 N
038 000100 0
039 000100 N
040 000100 Y
041 000100 Y
042 A000100 0
042 B000100 0
042 C000100 39
<PAGE> PAGE 6
042 D000100 61
042 E000100 0
042 F000100 0
042 G000100 0
042 H000100 0
043 000100 1803
044 000100 0
045 000100 Y
046 000100 N
047 000100 Y
048 000100 0.000
048 A010100 500000
048 A020100 0.900
048 B010100 0
048 B020100 0.000
048 C010100 0
048 C020100 0.000
048 D010100 0
048 D020100 0.000
048 E010100 0
048 E020100 0.000
048 F010100 0
048 F020100 0.000
048 G010100 0
048 G020100 0.000
048 H010100 0
048 H020100 0.000
048 I010100 0
048 I020100 0.000
048 J010100 0
048 J020100 0.000
048 K010100 500000
048 K020100 0.700
049 000100 N
050 000100 N
051 000100 N
052 000100 N
053 A000100 Y
053 B000100 N
053 C000100 Y
055 A000100 Y
055 B000100 N
056 000100 Y
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
<PAGE> PAGE 7
062 C000100 9.0
062 D000100 0.0
062 E000100 0.0
062 F000100 0.0
062 G000100 0.0
062 H000100 0.0
062 I000100 2.3
062 J000100 4.9
062 K000100 0.7
062 L000100 0.0
062 M000100 12.0
062 N000100 0.0
062 O000100 0.0
062 P000100 0.0
062 Q000100 69.8
062 R000100 0.0
063 A000100 0
063 B000100 6.3
064 A000100 Y
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
070 J010100 Y
070 J020100 Y
070 K010100 Y
070 K020100 N
070 L010100 Y
070 L020100 Y
070 M010100 Y
070 M020100 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 8
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 1181674
071 B000100 1338600
071 C000100 319453
071 D000100 370
072 A000100 12
072 B000100 29740
072 C000100 0
072 D000100 0
072 E000100 0
072 F000100 3492
072 G000100 0
072 H000100 0
072 I000100 690
072 J000100 418
072 K000100 52
072 L000100 30
072 M000100 32
072 N000100 0
072 O000100 0
072 P000100 0
072 Q000100 0
072 R000100 58
072 S000100 5
072 T000100 1762
072 U000100 0
072 V000100 0
072 W000100 245
072 X000100 6784
072 Y000100 27
072 Z000100 22983
072AA000100 11526
072BB000100 0
072CC010100 0
072CC020100 7131
072DD010100 43075
072DD020100 11027
072EE000100 0
073 A010100 1.5800
073 A020100 1.4900
073 B000100 0.0000
073 C000100 0.0000
<PAGE> PAGE 9
074 A000100 30
074 B000100 0
074 C000100 64850
074 D000100 327853
074 E000100 0
074 F000100 0
074 G000100 5435
074 H000100 0
074 I000100 0
074 J000100 12892
074 K000100 0
074 L000100 23427
074 M000100 4
074 N000100 434491
074 O000100 12969
074 P000100 36
074 Q000100 0
074 R010100 0
074 R020100 0
074 R030100 2322
074 R040100 18189
074 S000100 0
074 T000100 400975
074 U010100 24245
074 U020100 8933
074 V010100 11.70
074 V020100 11.50
074 W000100 0.0000
074 X000100 25112
074 Y000100 64437
075 A000100 0
075 B000100 413631
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
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
<PAGE> PAGE 10
015 C010203 NEW YORK
015 C020203 NY
015 C030203 10286
015 E010203 X
024 000200 N
028 A010200 51964
028 A020200 3
028 A030200 0
028 A040200 7530
028 B010200 47260
028 B020200 1
028 B030200 0
028 B040200 14939
028 C010200 45155
028 C020200 0
028 C030200 0
028 C040200 13829
028 D010200 40224
028 D020200 0
028 D030200 0
028 D040200 7943
028 E010200 43303
028 E020200 0
028 E030200 0
028 E040200 12729
028 F010200 41665
028 F020200 0
028 F030200 0
028 F040200 9773
028 G010200 269571
028 G020200 4
028 G030200 0
028 G040200 66743
028 H000200 128606
029 000200 Y
030 A000200 3803
030 B000200 5.75
030 C000200 0.00
031 A000200 512
031 B000200 0
032 000200 3291
033 000200 0
034 000200 Y
035 000200 153
036 A000200 N
036 B000200 0
037 000200 N
038 000200 0
039 000200 N
040 000200 Y
041 000200 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 11
042 A000200 0
042 B000200 0
042 C000200 48
042 D000200 52
042 E000200 0
042 F000200 0
042 G000200 0
042 H000200 0
043 000200 2034
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
048 K020200 0.000
049 000200 N
050 000200 N
051 000200 N
052 000200 N
053 A000200 Y
053 B000200 N
053 C000200 Y
055 A000200 N
055 B000200 N
056 000200 Y
057 000200 N
058 A000200 N
059 000200 Y
060 A000200 Y
060 B000200 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 12
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 N
070 B010200 N
070 B020200 N
070 C010200 N
070 C020200 N
070 D010200 N
070 D020200 N
070 E010200 N
070 E020200 N
070 F010200 N
070 F020200 N
070 G010200 N
070 G020200 N
070 H010200 N
070 H020200 N
070 I010200 N
070 I020200 N
070 J010200 Y
<PAGE> PAGE 13
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 756655
071 B000200 470431
071 C000200 428067
071 D000200 110
072 A000200 12
072 B000200 3225
072 C000200 5094
072 D000200 0
072 E000200 -127
072 F000200 3553
072 G000200 0
072 H000200 0
072 I000200 796
072 J000200 212
072 K000200 79
072 L000200 76
072 M000200 31
072 N000200 0
072 O000200 0
072 P000200 0
072 Q000200 0
072 R000200 34
072 S000200 6
072 T000200 2236
072 U000200 0
072 V000200 0
072 W000200 308
072 X000200 7331
072 Y000200 70
072 Z000200 931
072AA000200 62207
072BB000200 0
072CC010200 8277
072CC020200 0
<PAGE> PAGE 14
072DD010200 0
072DD020200 0
072EE000200 25535
073 A010200 0.0000
073 A020200 0.0000
073 B000200 1.1400
073 C000200 0.0000
074 A000200 10
074 B000200 0
074 C000200 96558
074 D000200 3889
074 E000200 0
074 F000200 599328
074 G000200 5043
074 H000200 0
074 I000200 0
074 J000200 18692
074 K000200 0
074 L000200 3945
074 M000200 33
074 N000200 727498
074 O000200 22655
074 P000200 382
074 Q000200 0
074 R010200 0
074 R020200 0
074 R030200 0
074 R040200 817
074 S000200 0
074 T000200 703644
074 U010200 32033
074 U020200 18773
074 V010200 13.34
074 V020200 13.01
074 W000200 0.0000
074 X000200 52446
074 Y000200 0
075 A000200 0
075 B000200 467555
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> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 645317623
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 704818107
<RECEIVABLES> 22636828
<ASSETS-OTHER> 32608
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 9997
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 727497540
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 22654808
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1198705
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 23853513
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 581747949
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 32032997
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 18368718
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 511690
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 61880975
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 59503413
<NET-ASSETS> 703644027
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 5094738
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3225148
<OTHER-INCOME> (127360)
<EXPENSES-NET> (7261085)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 931441
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 62206828
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 8276740
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 71415009
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (21105160)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 19830731
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (7095513)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 1739061
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 430021273
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 195249
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 24593940
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3552972
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7331239
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 467555053
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.39
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.05
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.04
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.14)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.34
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.32
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</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> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 645317623
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 704818107
<RECEIVABLES> 22636828
<ASSETS-OTHER> 32608
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 9997
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 727497540
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 22654808
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1198705
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 23853513
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 581747949
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 18772807
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 3792404
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 511690
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 61880975
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 59503413
<NET-ASSETS> 703644027
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 5094738
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3225148
<OTHER-INCOME> (127360)
<EXPENSES-NET> (7261085)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 931441
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 62206828
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 8276740
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 71415009
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (4429633)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 16436561
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (1804198)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 348040
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 430021273
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 195249
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 24593940
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3552972
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7331239
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 467555053
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.15
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.04)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.00
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (1.10)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.01
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.16
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</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> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 645317623
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 704818107
<RECEIVABLES> 22636828
<ASSETS-OTHER> 32608
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 9997
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 727497540
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 22654808
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1198705
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 23853513
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 581747949
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2450396
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 511690
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 61880975
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 59503413
<NET-ASSETS> 703644027
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 5094738
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3225148
<OTHER-INCOME> (127360)
<EXPENSES-NET> (7261085)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 931441
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 62206828
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 8276740
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 71415009
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2695641
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (245245)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 430021273
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 195249
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 24593940
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3552972
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 7331239
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 467555053
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.04
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 13.03
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.11
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 011
<NAME> MFS WORLD GOVERNMENT FUND-CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 385975717
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 398138262
<RECEIVABLES> 36318241
<ASSETS-OTHER> 4232
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 30325
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 434491060
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 12969017
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 20547242
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 33516259
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 380188634
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 24245272
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 27541597
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 11463806
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2011498
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 7310863
<NET-ASSETS> 400974801
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 29740001
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (6756728)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 22983273
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 11526142
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (7130943)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 27378472
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (43075354)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3456886
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (9837787)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3084576
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (45004493)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 41131061
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (6580054)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3491716
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 6783527
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 413631398
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.46
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.65
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.17
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (1.58)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.70
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.42
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 012
<NAME> MFS WORLD GOVERNMENT FUND-CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 385975717
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 398138262
<RECEIVABLES> 36318241
<ASSETS-OTHER> 4232
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 30325
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 434491060
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 12969017
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 20547242
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 33516259
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 380188634
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 8933379
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 7409698
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 11463806
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2011498
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 7310863
<NET-ASSETS> 400974801
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 29740001
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (6756728)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 22983273
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 11526142
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (7130943)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 27378472
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (11027123)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3389303
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (2665621)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 799999
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (45004493)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 41131061
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (6580054)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3491716
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 6783527
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 413631398
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.28
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.54
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.17
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (1.49)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.50
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.27
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000318874
<NAME> MFS SERIES TRUST VII
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 013
<NAME> MFS WORLD GOVERNMENT FUND-CLASS C
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 385975717
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 398138262
<RECEIVABLES> 36318241
<ASSETS-OTHER> 4232
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 30325
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 434491060
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 12969017
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 20547242
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 33516259
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 380188634
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1259165
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 961372
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 11463806
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2011498
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 7310863
<NET-ASSETS> 400974801
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 29740001
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (6756728)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 22983273
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 11526142
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (7130943)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 27378472
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (1482641)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 663887
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (446199)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 80105
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (45004493)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 41131061
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> (6580054)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 3491716
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 6783527
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 413631398
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.29
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.55
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.17
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (1.50)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.51
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.20
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.00
</TABLE>
