OPPENHEIMER EQUITY INCOME FUND INC
DEF 14A, 1998-02-23
Previous: GORMAN RUPP CO, PRE 14A, 1998-02-23
Next: HANDY & HARMAN, SC 13D/A, 1998-02-23



                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                    Information Required in Proxy Statement
                                 (Rule 14a-101)
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
         Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                              Exchange Act of 1934
                              (Amendment No.   )


Filed by the Registrant                         /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant      /   /

Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ /  Confidential,  for  Use  of the  Commission  Only  (as  permitted  by  Rule
     14a-6(e)(2))  
/X/  Definitive  Proxy  Statement  
/ /  Definitive  Additional Materials 
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or 14a-12

                         OPPENHEIMER EQUITY INCOME FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                             KATHERINE P. FELD, ESQ.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

/  /  $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii),  14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
      Item 22(a)(2) or Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per  each  party  to the  controversy  pursuant  to  Exchange  Act Rule
    14a-6(i)(3).  
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange  Act Rule  0-11  (Set  forth the  amount  on which  the  filing  fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/X /  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange  Act Rule
0-11(a)(2)  and  identify  the  filing  for  which the  offsetting  fee was paid
previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement  number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1)   Amount Previously Paid:  $125
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:  Schedule 14A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)   Filing Party:  Katherine P. Feld, Esq.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)   Date Filed:  February 4, 1998



<PAGE>



Bridget A. Macaskill                      [logo]
President and                             OppenheimerFunds
Chief Executive Officer                         OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
                                                Two World Trade  Center,  34th
Floor
                                                New York, NY  10048-0203
                                                800 525-7048
                                                www.oppenheimerfunds.com

                                    February 16, 1998

Dear Equity Income Fund Shareholder,

      We have  scheduled  a  shareholder  meeting  on April 16,  1998 for you to
decide  upon some  important  proposals  for the Fund.  Your  ballot  card and a
detailed statement of the issues are enclosed with this letter.

      Your Board of Trustees  believes the matters  being  proposed for approval
are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and recommends a vote
"for" each Proposal. Regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important
that your shares be  represented  and voted.  So we urge you to  consider  these
issues carefully and to make your vote count.

HOW DO YOU VOTE?

      To vote, simply complete the ballot by marking your choices,  sign it, and
return it in the postage-paid  envelope provided.  Remember, it can be expensive
for the Fund -- a portion of which is owned by you as a shareholder -- to remail
ballots if not enough responses are received to conduct the meeting.

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?

      After  consideration,   the  Board  of  Trustees,  which  represents  your
interests in the day-to-day  management of the Fund,  recommends approval of the
following items:

     o Election of Trustees.  There are twelve  Trustees up for  re-election  in
April. You will find detailed  information on the Trustees in the enclosed proxy
statement.

      o Ratification of Auditors.  Each year,  outside  auditors are employed to
review  the  Fund's  annual  financial  statements,  as  explained  in the proxy
statement.

      o Approve New Investment  Advisory Agreement with the Investment  Advisor.
The Fund's Investment  Advisory Agreement  establishes the Investment  Advisor's
responsibility  for day-to-day  management of the Fund,  including  managing the
Fund's  investments,  adherence to  investment  policies and  arranging  for the
purchase and sale of securities.  A new Investment  Advisory  Agreement with the
Investment  Advisor that removes the limitation on the Fund's  expenses is being
submitted for shareholder  approval. As the Fund's assets represented by Class B
and Class C shares


<PAGE>


grow relative to assets represented by Class A shares, the effect of the Class B
and Class C share  expenses  causes the  overall  Fund  expenses  to approach or
exceed the limit.  Removing the expense  limitation  will enable the  Investment
Advisor to continue managing Fund assets at a reasonable compensation level.

      Please read the enclosed  proxy  statement  for complete  details on these
proposals.  Of course if you have any  questions,  please contact your financial
advisor or call us
at 1-800-525- 7048.

      As always, we appreciate your confidence in OppenheimerFunds and thank you
for allowing us to manage a portion of your investment assets.


                                          Sincerely,

                                          /s/ Bridget A. Macaskill



Enclosures








proxy\300ltr.498


<PAGE>



Oppenheimer Equity Income              Proxy for Shareholders Meeting To
Fund - Class A Shares                  Be Held April 16, 1998

Your shareholder                       Your prompt response can save your
vote is important!                     Fund the expense of another mailing.
                                       Please  mark  your  proxy on the  reverse
                                       side,  date and sign it,  and  return  it
                                       promptly  in the  accompanying  envelope,
                                       which  requires  no  postage if mailed in
                                       the United States.

                 Please detach at perforation before mailing.

Oppenheimer Equity Income              Proxy For Shareholders Meeting To
Fund - Class A Shares                  Be Held April 16, 1998

The undersigned shareholder of         Proxy solicited on behalf of the
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund         Board of Trustees, which
(the "Fund"), does hereby appoint      recommends a vote FOR the election
Robert Bishop, Rendle Myer and         of all nominees for Trustee and FOR
Scott Farrar, and each of them,        each proposal on the reverse side.
as attorneys-in fact and proxies       The shares represented hereby
of the undersigned, with full          will be voted as indicated on the
power of substitution, to attend       reverse side or FOR if no choice
the Meeting of Shareholders of         is indicated.
the Fund to be held April 16
1998, at 6803 South Tucson Way,
Englewood, Colorado 80112 at 10:30
A.M., Denver time, and at all
adjournments thereof, and to vote
the shares held in the name of the
undersigned on the record date for
said meeting for the election of
Trustees and on the proposals
specified on the reverse side.
Said attorneys-in-fact shall vote
in accordance with their best
judgment as to any other matter.
                                                                            OVER
                                                                             300





<PAGE>


Oppenheimer Equity Income     Proxy for Shareholders Meeting to be held
Fund - Class A Shares         April 16, 1998

Your shareholder              Your prompt response can save your Fund money.
vote is important!            Please vote, sign and mail your proxy ballot
                              (this card) in the enclosed  postage-paid envelope
                              today,  no  matter  how many  shares  you  own.  A
                              majority of the Fund's shares must be  represented
                              in person or by proxy.  Please  vote your proxy so
                              your  Fund  can  avoid  the   expense  of  another
                              mailing.

                 Please detach at perforation before mailing.

1. Election of   A) R. Avis        G) R. Kalinowski   1. / / For all nominees
   of Trustees   B) W. Baker       H) C. H. Kast      listed except as marked
                 C) G. Bowen       I) R. Kirchner     to the contrary at left.
                 D) C. Conrad      J) B. Macaskill    Instruction: To withhold
                 E) J. Fossel      K) N. Steel        authority to vote for
                 F) S. Freedman    L) J. Swain        any individual nominees,
                                                      line out that nominee's
                                                      name at left.
                                                      / / Withhold  authority to
                                                      vote for all nominees
                                                      listed at left.
2. Ratification of selection           2. / /For / /Against  / /Abstain
   of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
   independent auditors
   (Proposal No. 1)
3. Approval of a new Investment        3. / /For  / /Against  / /Abstain
   Advisory Agreement with the
   Manager (Proposal No. 2)

NOTE:  Please  sign  exactly as your  name(s)  appear  hereon.  When  signing as
custodian,  attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee, etc., please give your
full title as such.  All joint owners should sign this proxy.  If the account is
registered in the name of a  corporation,  partnership  or other entity,  a duly
authorized individual must sign on its behalf and give title.
                                                                            OVER
                        Dated:                         , 1998
                        -------------------------------------
                        (Month)        (Day)

                        Signature(s)
                        -------------------------------------
                        Signature(s)
                        -------------------------------------
                        Please read both sides of this ballot.
                                                                           300


proxy\300bal.a


<PAGE>



Oppenheimer Equity Income              Proxy for Shareholders Meeting To
Fund - Class B Shares                  Be Held April 16, 1998

Your shareholder                       Your prompt response can save your
vote is important!                     Fund the expense of another mailing.
                                       Please  mark  your  proxy on the  reverse
                                       side,  date and sign it,  and  return  it
                                       promptly  in the  accompanying  envelope,
                                       which  requires  no  postage if mailed in
                                       the United States.

                 Please detach at perforation before mailing.

Oppenheimer Equity Income              Proxy For Shareholders Meeting To
Fund - Class B Shares                  Be Held April 16, 1998

The undersigned shareholder of         Proxy solicited on behalf of the
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund         Board of Trustees, which
(the "Fund"), does hereby appoint      recommends a vote FOR the election
Robert Bishop, Rendle Myer and         of all nominees for Trustee and FOR
Scott Farrar, and each of them,        each proposal on the reverse side.
as attorneys-in fact and proxies       The shares represented hereby
of the undersigned, with full          will be voted as indicated on the
power of substitution, to attend       reverse side or FOR if no choice
the Meeting of Shareholders of         is indicated.
the Fund to be held April 16
1998, at 6803 South Tucson Way,
Englewood, Colorado 80112 at 10:30
A.M., Denver time, and at all
adjournments thereof, and to vote
the shares held in the name of the
undersigned on the record date for
said meeting for the election of
Trustees and on the proposals
specified on the reverse side.
Said attorneys-in-fact shall vote
in accordance with their best
judgment as to any other matter.
                                                                            OVER
                                                                             300





<PAGE>


Oppenheimer Equity Income     Proxy for Shareholders Meeting to be held
Fund - Class B Shares         April 16, 1998

Your shareholder              Your prompt response can save your Fund money.
vote is important!            Please vote, sign and mail your proxy ballot
                              (this card) in the enclosed  postage-paid envelope
                              today,  no  matter  how many  shares  you  own.  A
                              majority of the Fund's shares must be  represented
                              in person or by proxy.  Please  vote your proxy so
                              your  Fund  can  avoid  the   expense  of  another
                              mailing.

                 Please detach at perforation before mailing.

1. Election of   A) R. Avis        G) R. Kalinowski   1. / / For all nominees
   of Trustees   B) W. Baker       H) C. H. Kast      listed except as marked
                 C) G. Bowen       I) R. Kirchner     to the contrary at left.
                 D) C. Conrad      J) B. Macaskill    Instruction: To withhold
                 E) J. Fossel      K) N. Steel        authority to vote for
                 F) S. Freedman    L) J. Swain        any individual nominees,
                                                      line out that nominee's
                                                      name at left.
                                                      / / Withhold authority to
                                                      vote for all nominees
                                                      listed at left.
2. Ratification of selection           2. / /For / /Against  / /Abstain
   of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
   independent auditors
   (Proposal No. 1)
3. Approval of a new Investment        3. / /For  / /Against  / /Abstain
   Advisory Agreement with the
   Manager (Proposal No. 2)

NOTE:  Please  sign  exactly as your  name(s)  appear  hereon.  When  signing as
custodian,  attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee, etc., please give your
full title as such.  All joint owners should sign this proxy.  If the account is
registered in the name of a  corporation,  partnership  or other entity,  a duly
authorized individual must sign on its behalf and give title.
                                                                            OVER
                        Dated:                         , 1998
                        -------------------------------------
                        (Month)        (Day)

                        Signature(s)
                        -------------------------------------
                        Signature(s)
                        -------------------------------------
                        Please read both sides of this ballot.
                                                                           300


proxy\300bal.b


<PAGE>



Oppenheimer Equity Income              Proxy for Shareholders Meeting To
Fund - Class C Shares                  Be Held April 16, 1998

Your shareholder                       Your prompt response can save your
vote is important!                     Fund the expense of another mailing.
                                       Please  mark  your  proxy on the  reverse
                                       side,  date and sign it,  and  return  it
                                       promptly  in the  accompanying  envelope,
                                       which  requires  no  postage if mailed in
                                       the United States.

                 Please detach at perforation before mailing.

Oppenheimer Equity Income              Proxy For Shareholders Meeting To
Fund - Class C Shares                  Be Held April 16, 1998

The undersigned shareholder of         Proxy solicited on behalf of the
Oppenheimer Equity Income Fund         Board of Trustees, which
(the "Fund"), does hereby appoint      recommends a vote FOR the election
Robert Bishop, Rendle Myer and         of all nominees for Trustee and FOR
Scott Farrar, and each of them,        each proposal on the reverse side.
as attorneys-in fact and proxies       The shares represented hereby
of the undersigned, with full          will be voted as indicated on the
power of substitution, to attend       reverse side or FOR if no choice
the Meeting of Shareholders of         is indicated.
the Fund to be held April 16
1998, at 6803 South Tucson Way,
Englewood, Colorado 80112 at 10:30
A.M., Denver time, and at all
adjournments thereof, and to vote
the shares held in the name of the
undersigned on the record date for
said meeting for the election of
Trustees and on the proposals
specified on the reverse side.
Said attorneys-in-fact shall vote
in accordance with their best
judgment as to any other matter.
                                                                            OVER
                                                                             300





<PAGE>


Oppenheimer Equity Income     Proxy for Shareholders Meeting to be held
Fund - Class C Shares         April 16, 1998

Your shareholder              Your prompt response can save your Fund money.
vote is important!            Please vote, sign and mail your proxy ballot
                              (this card) in the enclosed  postage-paid envelope
                              today,  no  matter  how many  shares  you  own.  A
                              majority of the Fund's shares must be  represented
                              in person or by proxy.  Please  vote your proxy so
                              your  Fund  can  avoid  the   expense  of  another
                              mailing.

                 Please detach at perforation before mailing.

1. Election of   A) R. Avis        G) R. Kalinowski   1. / / For all nominees
   of Trustees   B) W. Baker       H) C. H. Kast      listed except as marked
                 C) G. Bowen       I) R. Kirchner     to the contrary at left.
                 D) C. Conrad      J) B. Macaskill    Instruction: To withhold
                 E) J. Fossel      K) N. Steel        authority to vote for
                 F) S. Freedman    L) J. Swain        any individual nominees,
                                                      line out that nominee's
                                                      name at left.
                                                      / / Withhold authority to
                                                      vote for all nominees
                                                      listed at left.
2. Ratification of selection           2. / /For / /Against  / /Abstain
   of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
   independent auditors
   (Proposal No. 1)
3. Approval of a new Investment        3. / /For  / /Against  / /Abstain
   Advisory Agreement with the
   Manager (Proposal No. 2)

NOTE:  Please  sign  exactly as your  name(s)  appear  hereon.  When  signing as
custodian,  attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee, etc., please give your
full title as such.  All joint owners should sign this proxy.  If the account is
registered in the name of a  corporation,  partnership  or other entity,  a duly
authorized individual must sign on its behalf and give title.
                                                                            OVER
                        Dated:                         , 1998
                        -------------------------------------
                        (Month)        (Day)

                        Signature(s)
                        -------------------------------------
                        Signature(s)
                        -------------------------------------
                        Please read both sides of this ballot.
                                                                           300


proxy\300bal.c


<PAGE>



                               OPPENHEIMER EQUITY
                                   INCOME FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               6803 SOUTH TUCSON WAY, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112

                        NOTICE OF MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                            TO BE HELD APRIL 16, 1998

TO THE  SHAREHOLDERS OF OPPENHEIMER EQUITY INCOME FUND:

Notice is hereby given that a Meeting of the Shareholders of Oppenheimer  Equity
Income  Fund (the  "Fund")  will be held at 6803 SOUTH  TUCSON  WAY,  ENGLEWOOD,
COLORADO,  80112,  at 10:30  A.M.,  Denver  time,  on  April  16,  1998,  or any
adjournments thereof, for the following purposes:

To be voted on by holders of:

CLASS A    CLASS B   CLASS C
SHARES     SHARES    SHARES

    X          X         X      (a) To elect  twelve  Trustees  to hold office
                                until the next meeting of  shareholders  called
                                for the  purpose  of electing Trustees and
                                until their  successors  are elected and shall
                                qualify;

    X          X         X      (b) To ratify  the  selection  of  Deloitte  &
                                Touche LLP as the independent  certified public
                                accountants and auditors of the Fund
                                for the fiscal  year  beginning  September  1,
                                1997 (Proposal No. 1);

    X          X         X      (c)  To  approve  a  new  Investment  Advisory
                                Agreement between the Fund and its current 
                                investment  adviser,  OppenheimerFunds,
                                Inc. (the "Manager") (Proposal No. 2); and

    X          X         X      (d) To transact  such other  business as may
                                properly   come  before  the  meeting,   or  any
                                adjournments thereof.

Shareholders  of  record at the close of  business  on  January  21,  1998,  are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the  meeting.  The election of Trustees and
the Proposals are more fully  discussed in the Proxy  Statement.  Please read it
carefully before telling us, through your proxy or in person,  how you wish your
shares to be voted. The Board of Trustees of the Fund recommends a vote to elect
each of the  nominees as Trustee and in favor of each  Proposal.  WE URGE YOU TO
MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY.

By Order of the Board of Trustees,

Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary

February 16, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS  WHO DO NOT  EXPECT TO ATTEND  THE  MEETING  ARE ASKED TO  INDICATE
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND TO DATE, SIGN AND RETURN IT IN THE
ACCOMPANYING  POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DUPLICATE MAILINGS, WE
ASK YOUR COOPERATION IN PROMPTLY MAILING YOUR PROXY NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL
YOUR HOLDINGS MAY BE.
300


<PAGE>



                               OPPENHEIMER EQUITY
                                   INCOME FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               6803 SOUTH TUCSON WAY, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112

                                 PROXY STATEMENT

                             MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                            TO BE HELD APRIL 16, 1998

This statement is furnished to the  shareholders  of  Oppenheimer  Equity Income
Fund (the "Fund") in  connection  with the  solicitation  by the Fund's Board of
Trustees of proxies to be used at a meeting (the  "Meeting") of  shareholders to
be held at 6803 SOUTH TUCSON WAY,  ENGLEWOOD,  COLORADO,  80112,  at 10:30 A.M.,
Denver time, on April 16, 1998, or any adjournments thereof. It is expected that
the mailing of this Proxy  Statement will be made on or about February 16, 1998.
For a free copy of the Fund's  annual  report for its most  recent  fiscal  year
ended August 31,  1997,  call  OppenheimerFunds  Services,  the Fund's  transfer
agent, at 1-800-525-7048.

The enclosed proxy, if properly executed and returned, will be voted (or counted
as an  abstention  or  withheld  from  voting) in  accordance  with the  choices
specified thereon, and will be included in determining whether there is a quorum
to conduct the  meeting.  The proxy will be voted in favor of the  nominees  for
Trustee named in this Proxy  Statement  unless a choice is indicated to withhold
authority to vote for all listed nominees or any individual  nominee.  The proxy
will be voted in favor of each  Proposal  unless a choice is  indicated  to vote
against or to abstain from voting on that Proposal.

Shares  owned of record by  broker-dealers  for the  benefit of their  customers
("street  account  shares")  will  be  voted  by  the  broker-dealer   based  on
instructions received from its customers.  If no instructions are received,  the
broker-dealer may (if permitted under applicable stock exchange rules) as record
holder vote such shares for the election of Trustees and on the Proposals in the
same  proportion as that  broker-dealer  votes street  account  shares for which
voting  instructions  were  received  in time to be voted.  Abstentions  will be
counted as present for purposes of  determining  a quorum and will have the same
effect as a vote against the proposal.

If at the time any  session  of the  Meeting  is called to order a quorum is not
present,  in person or by proxy,  the  persons  named as proxies  may vote those
proxies  which have been received to adjourn the Meeting to a later date. In the
event that a quorum is present but  sufficient  votes in favor of one or more of
the proposals have not been  received,  the persons named as proxies may propose
one or more  adjournments  of the  Meeting  to permit  further  solicitation  of
proxies with respect to any such proposal.  All such  adjournments  will require
the  affirmative  vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy
at the session of the Meeting to be adjourned. The persons names as proxies will
vote those proxies which they are entitled to vote in favor of the proposal,  in
favor of such an adjournment,  and will vote those proxies  required to be voted
against the proposal,  against any such adjournment.  A vote may be taken on one
or more of the proposals in this proxy statement  prior to any such  adjournment
if  sufficient  votes for its  approval  have been  received and it is otherwise
appropriate.  Any adjourned session or sessions may be held within 90 days after
the date set for the

                                     -1-

<PAGE>



original Meeting without the necessity of further notice.

If a  shareholder  executes  and returns a proxy but fails to  indicate  how the
votes  should be cast,  the proxy will be voted in favor of the election of each
of the nominees named herein for Trustee and in favor of each proposal.

The proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the voting by: (1)  writing to the
Secretary of the Fund at 6803 South Tucson Way,  Englewood,  Colorado  80112 (if
received  in time to be acted  upon);  (2)  attending  the meeting and voting in
person;  or (3) signing and  returning a new proxy (if  returned and received in
time to be voted).

The cost of printing and distributing these proxy materials is an expense of the
Manager.  In addition  to the  solicitation  of proxies by mail,  proxies may be
solicited by officers or employees of the Fund's transfer  agent,  personally or
by telephone or other means;  any expenses so incurred will also be borne by the
Manager.  Brokers,  banks and  other  fiduciaries  may be  required  to  forward
soliciting  material to their  principals  and to obtain  authorization  for the
execution of proxies.  For those services they will be reimbursed by the Manager
for their out-of-pocket expenses.

SHARES  OUTSTANDING  AND ENTITLED TO VOTE.  As of January 21,  1998,  the record
date,  there  were  approximately  248,777,506.3  shares of the Fund  issued and
outstanding,   consisting  of  approximately   207,169,381.2   Class  A  shares,
36,951,243.2 Class B shares and 4,656,881.9 Class C shares.  Each Class A, Class
B and  Class C share of the Fund has  voting  rights  as  stated  in this  Proxy
Statement and is entitled to one vote for each share (and a fractional  vote for
a fractional  share) held of record at the close of business on the record date.
As of January 21, 1998, no shareholder was known by management of the Fund to be
the record or beneficial  owner of 5% or more of the  outstanding  shares of any
class of the Fund's shares.

                              ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

At the Meeting,  twelve Trustees are to be elected to hold office until the next
meeting of  shareholders  called for the purpose of electing  Trustees and until
their  successors  shall be duly elected and shall have qualified.  Each nominee
has  agreed to be named and to  serve.  With the  exception  of Mr.  Bowen,  all
nominees  have been  previously  elected as a Trustee by the  shareholders.  Mr.
Bowen  was  elected  a  Trustee  by  the  Board,  including  a  majority  of the
"disinterested" Trustees, at a meeting held December 16, 1997. The persons named
as  attorneys-in-fact  in the enclosed proxy have advised the Fund that unless a
proxy  instructs them to withhold  authority to vote for all listed  nominees or
any individual  nominee,  all validly executed proxies will be voted by them for
the  election  of the  nominees  named  below  as  Trustees  of the  Fund.  As a
Massachusetts  business  trust,  the Fund does not  contemplate  holding  annual
shareholder  meetings for the purpose of electing  Trustees.  Thus, the Trustees
will be elected for indefinite  terms until a shareholder  meeting is called for
the purpose of voting for  Trustees and until their  successors  are elected and
shall qualify.

Each of the nominees is also a trustee,  director or managing general partner of
Oppenheimer  Total Return Fund,  Inc.,  Oppenheimer  Cash  Reserves,  Centennial
America Fund, L.P.,  Oppenheimer  Variable Account Funds,  Oppenheimer  Champion
Income Fund, Oppenheimer High Yield Fund,

                                     -2-

<PAGE>


Oppenheimer Main Street Funds,  Inc.,  Oppenheimer  Municipal Fund,  Oppenheimer
Real Asset Fund,  Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund,  Oppenheimer  International
Bond Fund,  Oppenheimer  Integrity Funds,  Oppenheimer  Limited-Term  Government
Fund, The New York Tax-Exempt  Income Fund,  Inc.,  Panorama Series Fund,  Inc.,
Centennial Money Market Trust,  Centennial Government Trust, Centennial New York
Tax Exempt Trust,  Centennial  California  Tax Exempt Trust and  Centennial  Tax
Exempt  Trust  (which  together  with  the  Fund,   comprise  the  "Denver-based
Oppenheimer funds"), except that Ms. Macaskill and Mr. Bowen are not trustees of
Oppenheimer  Strategic  Income Fund,  Panorama  Series Fund,  Inc.,  Oppenheimer
Variable  Account Funds and  Oppenheimer  Integrity Funds and Mr. Fossel and Mr.
Bowen are not  trustees  of  Centennial  New York Tax Exempt  Trust or  managing
general  partners  of  Centennial  America  Fund,  L.P.  Ms.  Macaskill  is  the
President,  and Mr.  Swain  is the  Chairman  and CEO,  of all the  Denver-based
Oppenheimer funds.

Each nominee  indicated below by an asterisk is an "interested  person" (as that
term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,  hereinafter  referred to
as the  "Investment  Company  Act")  of the  Fund  and  the  Manager  due to the
positions indicated with the Fund's investment adviser,  OppenheimerFunds,  Inc.
(the "Manager") or its affiliates, or other positions described.  Please see the
section  entitled "The Manager,  the  Distributor  and the Transfer Agent" under
Proposal No. 2 for more  information.  The year given below  indicates  when the
nominee  first  became  a  Trustee  or  Director  of  any  of  the  Denver-based
Oppenheimer funds without a break in service.  The beneficial ownership of Class
A shares listed below includes voting and investment  control,  unless otherwise
indicated below. If a nominee should be unable to accept election,  the Board of
Trustees  may,  in its  discretion,  select  another  person to fill the  vacant
position.  As of January 21,  1998,  the  Trustees and officers of the Fund as a
group owned  approximately  38,754.8 Class A shares of the Fund in the aggregate
(including  697.960 shares owned by Mr. Freedman's spouse, of which he disclaims
beneficial  ownership),  which is less than 1% of the outstanding shares of that
class.  None of the Trustees or officers  owned any Class B or Class C shares of
the Fund.

                                                               CLASS A SHARES
                                                               BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND               BUSINESS EXPERIENCE                     OWNED AS OF
OTHER INFORMATION      DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS              JANUARY   21,
1998

ROBERT G. AVIS*        Vice Chairman of A.G. Edwards & Sons,   None
first became a         Inc. (a broker-dealer) and A.G. Edwards, Inc.
Trustee in 1993.       (its parent holding company); Chairman of
Age:  66               A.G.E. Asset Management and A.G. Edwards
                       Trust  Company  (its  affiliated  investment  adviser and
                       trust company, respectively).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WILLIAM A. BAKER       Management Consultant.                  None
first became a
Trustee in 1966.
Age:  83
- --------
*A nominee who is an "interested person" of the Fund and the Manager under
the Investment
Company Act.

                                     -3-

<PAGE>


                                                               CLASS A SHARES
                                                               BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND               BUSINESS EXPERIENCE                     OWNED AS OF
OTHER INFORMATION      DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS              JANUARY 21,
1998

GEORGE C. BOWEN*+#     Senior Vice President and Treasurer of  3,518.649
first became a         the Manager; Vice President and Treasurer
Trustee in 1997.       of OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.
Age:  61               (the "Distributor"), a wholly owned
                       subsidiary of the Manager that is the  distributor of the
                       Oppenheimer   funds;  Vice  President  and  Treasurer  of
                       HarbourView Asset Management Corporation ("HarbourView"),
                       an investment advisory subsidiary of the Manager;  Senior
                       Vice  President,  Treasurer,  Assistant  Secretary  and a
                       director  of  Centennial  Asset  Management   Corporation
                       ("Centennial"),  an investment  advisor and broker-dealer
                       subsidiary  of the Manager;  President,  Treasurer  and a
                       director of Centennial Capital  Corporation,  an inactive
                       broker-dealer  subsidiary of the Manager; Vice President,
                       Treasurer and  Secretary of  Shareholder  Services,  Inc.
                       ("SSI")  and   Shareholder   Financial   Services,   Inc.
                       ("SFSI"),  transfer  agent  subsidiaries  of the Manager;
                       Treasurer of Oppenheimer  Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"),  the
                       Manager's   parent   holding   company;    Treasurer   of
                       Oppenheimer Partnership Holdings, Inc., a holding company
                       subsidiary of the Manager;  Vice  President and Treasurer
                       of Oppenheimer Real Asset Management, Inc., an investment
                       advisory  subsidiary  of  the  Manager;  Chief  Executive
                       Officer,
- --------
*A Nominee who is an "interested person" of the Fund and the Manager under
the Investment
Company Act.

+Not a Trustee of Centennial New York Tax-Exempt Trust nor a Managing General
Partner of
Centennial America Fund, L.P.

#Not a Trustee of Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund, Oppenheimer Variable
Account Funds,
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds or Panorama Series Fund, Inc.

                                     -4-

<PAGE>


                                                               CLASS A SHARES
                                                               BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND               BUSINESS EXPERIENCE                     OWNED AS OF
OTHER INFORMATION      DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS              JANUARY 21,
1998

                       Treasurer and a director of MultiSource Services, Inc., a
                       majority-owned  broker-dealer  subsidiary of the Manager;
                       an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHARLES CONRAD, JR.    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer    548.615
first became a         of Universal Space Lines, Inc. (a
Trustee in 1970.       space services management company);
Age:  67               formerly Vice President of McDonnell
                          Douglas Space Systems Co. and
                       associated with the National Aeronautics
                       and Space Administration.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JON S. FOSSEL+         Formerly Chairman and a director        None
first became a         director of the Manager, President and a
Trustee in 1990.       director of OAC, SSI and SFSI.
Age:  55

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAM FREEDMAN           Formerly Chairman and Chief Executive   5,935.019**
first become a         Officer of OppenheimerFunds Services
Trustee in 1996.       (a transfer agent division of the Manager),
Age:  57               Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
                       and a director of SSI, Chairman,  Chief Executive Officer
                       and director of SFSI,  Vice President and director of OAC
                       and a director of the Manager.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RAYMOND J. KALINOWSKI  Director of Wave Technologies           11,524.366
first became a         International, Inc. (a computer products
Trustee in 1988.       training company).
Age:  68
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. HOWARD KAST         Formerly Managing Partner of            None
first became a         Deloitte, Haskins & Sells (an
Trustee in 1988.       accounting firm).
Age:  76
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------
+Not a Trustee of Centennial New York Tax-Exempt Trust nor a Managing General
Partner of
Centennial America Fund, L.P.

**697.960 of these shares are owned by Mr. Freedman's spouse, of which he
disclaims beneficial
ownership.

                                     -5-

<PAGE>


                                                               CLASS A SHARES
                                                               BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND               BUSINESS EXPERIENCE                     OWNED AS OF
OTHER INFORMATION      DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS              JANUARY 21,
1998

ROBERT M. KIRCHNER     President of The Kirchner Company       8,364.939
first became a         (management consultants).
Trustee in 1963.
Age: 76
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRIDGET A. MACASKILL*# President, Chief Executive Officer      None
first become a         and a Director of the Manager and
Trustee in 1995.       HarbourView; Chairman and a director of
Age:  49               SSI and SFSI; President and a director of
                       OAC  and  Oppenheimer   Partnership  Holdings,   Inc.;  a
                       director  of  Oppenheimer  Real Asset  Management,  Inc.;
                       formerly Executive Vice President of the Manager.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NED M. STEEL           Chartered Property and Casualty         2,427.524
first became a         Underwriter; a director of Visiting
Trustee in 1963.       Nurse Corporation of Colorado.
Age:  82
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JAMES C. SWAIN*        Vice Chairman of the Manager;           None
first became a         formerly President and a director
Trustee in 1969.       of Centennial and Chairman of the
Age:  64               Board of SSI.

VOTE  REQUIRED.  The  affirmative  vote  of a  majority  of the  votes  cast  by
shareholders of the Fund without regard to class is required for the election of
a nominee as Trustee.  THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES  RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION
OF EACH NOMINEE.

FUNCTIONS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES.  The  primary  responsibility  for  the
management  of the Fund  rests with the Board of  Trustees.  The  Trustees  meet
regularly  to review the  activities  of the Fund and of the  Manager,  which is
responsible for its day-to-day operations.  Six regular meetings of the Trustees
were held during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997. Each Trustee was present
for at least 75% of the  meetings  held of the Board  and of all  committees  on
which that Trustee served.

The Trustees of the Fund have appointed an Audit and Review Committee, comprised
of  Messrs.  Kast  (Chairman),  Kalinowski  and  Freedman,  none  of  whom is an
"interested  person" (as that term is defined in the Investment  Company Act) of
the Manager or the Fund. Mr. Baker is an ex-officio member of the Committee. The
functions  of the  Committee  include  (i) making  recommendations  to the Board
concerning  the selection of independent  auditors for the Fund;  (ii) reviewing
the
- --------
*Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund and the Manager.

#Not a Trustee of Oppenheimer Strategic Income Fund, Oppenheimer Variable
Account Funds,
Oppenheimer Integrity Funds or Panorama Series Fund, Inc.

                                     -6-

<PAGE>



methods,  scope and results of audits and the fees charged;  (iii) reviewing the
adequacy of the Fund's  internal  accounting  procedures and controls;  and (iv)
establishing  a separate line of  communication  between the Fund's  independent
auditors and its  independent  Trustees.  The Committee met six times during the
fiscal  period  ended  August 31,  1997.  The Board of Trustees  does not have a
standing nominating or compensation committee.

o REMUNERATION  OF TRUSTEES.  The officers of the Fund are  affiliated  with the
Manager.  They and the Trustees of the Fund who are affiliated  with the Manager
(Ms.  Macaskill,  Mr. Bowen and Mr.  Swain,  who are both officers and Trustees)
receive  no salary  or fee from the Fund.  The  remaining  Trustees  of the Fund
received the compensation shown below from the Fund during its fiscal year ended
August 31, 1997, and from all of the Denver-based  Oppenheimer  funds (including
the Fund) for which they served as Trustee, Director or Managing General Partner
for the 1997  calendar  year.  Prior to  January  1,  1997,  Mr.  Fossel  was an
affiliated  "interested"  person of the Fund and the  Manager  and  received  no
salary or fee from the Fund.  Compensation is paid for services in the positions
listed beneath their names:

                                    Aggregate
                                   Compensation          Total Compensation
                                   From the Fund         From All
                                   Fiscal Year           Denver-based
NAME AND POSITION                  ENDED 8/31/97         OPPENHEIMER FUNDS1

Robert G. Avis, Trustee            $8,552                $63,501

William A. Baker, Trustee2         $10,438               $77,502
   (ex-officio member of the
   Audit & Review Committee)

Charles Conrad, Jr., Trustee2      $9,696                $72,000

Jon. S. Fossel, Trustee            $5,681                $63,277

Sam Freedman, Audit and            $8,956                $66,501
   Review Committee Member
   and Trustee2

Raymond J. Kalinowski,             $9,637                $71,561
   Audit and Review Committee
   Member and Trustee2

C. Howard Kast, Audit and          $10,303               $76,561
   Review Committee Chairman
   and Trustee2

Robert M. Kirchner, Trustee2       $9,696                $72,000

                                     -7-

<PAGE>



Ned M. Steel, Trustee              $8,552                $63,501
- ----------------------

1For the 1997 calendar year.

2On July 1, 1997,  Messrs.  Kast,  Kalinowski and Freedman were appointed by the
Trustees to the Audit and Review Committee.  Also on July 1, 1997, Mr. Baker was
appointed an ex-officio member of the Audit and Review Committee, and Mr. Conrad
and Mr. Kirchner resigned from the Audit and Review Committee.  Prior to July 1,
1997,  Messrs.  Kast  and  Kalinowski  composed  the Risk  Management  Oversight
Committee, whose functions were transferred to the Audit and Review Committee on
July 1, 1997.

DEFERRED  COMPENSATION  PLAN.  The Board of  Trustees  has  adopted  a  Deferred
Compensation Plan for  disinterested  Trustees that enables Trustees to elect to
defer  receipt  of all or a portion  of the  annual  fees they are  entitled  to
receive  from the Fund.  Currently,  no  Trustee  participates  in the  Deferred
Compensation  Plan.  Under the plan, the  compensation  deferred by a Trustee is
periodically adjusted as though an equivalent amount had been invested in shares
of one or more Oppenheimer funds selected by the Trustee. The amount paid to the
Trustee  under the plan will be  determined  based upon the  performance  of the
selected  funds.  Deferral of Trustees'  fees under the plan will not materially
affect the Fund's assets, liabilities or net income per share. The plan will not
obligate the Fund to retain the services of any Trustee or to pay any particular
amount  of  compensation  to any  Trustee.  Pursuant  to an Order  issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may invest in the funds selected by
a Trustee under the plan for the limited purpose of determining the value of the
Trustee's deferred fee account.

OFFICERS  OF THE FUND.  Each  officer of the Fund is elected by the  Trustees to
serve an annual term.  Information  is given below about the executive  officers
who are not Trustees of the Fund, including their business experience during the
past five years.

JOHN P. DONEY, VICE PRESIDENT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER; AGE: 68
Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0203
Vice President of the Manager.

ANDREW J. DONOHUE, VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY; Age: 47.
Executive  Vice  President,  General  Counsel  and a  director  of the  Manager;
Executive Vice President,  General  Counsel and a director of HarbourView,  SSI,
SFSI, the Distributor,  Oppenheimer  Partnership Holdings,  Inc. and MultiSource
Services,  Inc.;  President,  General  Counsel  and a  director  of  Centennial;
President and a director of Oppenheimer  Real Asset  Management,  Inc.;  General
Counsel and Secretary of OAC;  Director and Vice  President of  OppenheimerFunds
International  Ltd. and  Oppenheimer  Millennium  Funds plc; an officer of other
Oppenheimer funds.

GEORGE C. BOWEN, TREASURER; Age: 61
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Mr. Bowen's biography is set forth under "Election of Trustees," above.

ROBERT G. ZACK, ASSISTANT SECRETARY; Age: 49.

                                     -8-

<PAGE>



Senior Vice President and Associate  General  Counsel of the Manager;  Assistant
Secretary of SSI and SFSI;  Assistant Secretary of Oppenheimer  Millennium Funds
plc; an officer of other Oppenheimer funds.

ROBERT J. BISHOP, ASSISTANT TREASURER; Age: 39.
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Vice  President  of the  Manager/Mutual  Fund  Accounting;  an  officer of other
Oppenheimer  funds;  formerly an Assistant Vice President of the  Manager/Mutual
Fund Accounting and a Fund Controller for the Manager.

SCOTT T. FARRAR, ASSISTANT TREASURER; Age: 32.
6803 South Tucson Way, Englewood, Colorado 80112
Vice  President  of the  Manager/Mutual  Fund  Accounting;  an  officer of other
Oppenheimer  funds;  formerly an Assistant Vice President of the  Manager/Mutual
Fund Accounting and a Fund Controller for the Manager.

               RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
                                (PROPOSAL NO. 1)

The  Investment   Company  Act  requires  that   independent   certified  public
accountants  and  auditors  ("auditors")  be  selected  annually by the Board of
Trustees  and  that  such  selection  be  ratified  by the  shareholders  at the
next-convened  annual meeting of the Fund, if one is held. The Board of Trustees
of the Fund,  including  a  majority  of the  Trustees  who are not  "interested
persons" (as defined in the Investment  Company Act) of the Fund or the Manager,
at a meeting held August 26, 1997,  selected  Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte")
as  auditors  of the Fund for the  fiscal  year  beginning  September  1,  1997.
Deloitte  also serves as auditors for certain  other funds for which the Manager
acts as  investment  adviser  and also  serves as  auditors  for the Manager and
certain of its  affiliates.  At the Meeting,  a resolution will be presented for
the  shareholders'  vote to  ratify  the  selection  of  Deloitte  as  auditors.
Representatives  of Deloitte  are not  expected to be present at the Meeting but
will have the  opportunity  to make a statement if they desire to do so and will
be available  should any matter arise  requiring  their  presence.  THE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES  RECOMMENDS  APPROVAL OF THE  SELECTION  OF DELOITTE AS AUDITORS OF THE
FUND.

                   APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
                                (PROPOSAL NO. 2)

The Fund has an Investment  Advisory  Agreement  dated October 22, 1990 with the
Manager (the "Current Agreement") which was most recently approved by the Fund's
shareholders  at a meeting  held June 25, 1997 and  approved by the  Independent
Trustees (defined below) at a meeting held December 16, 1997. At meetings of the
Fund's Board of Trustees  held on October 21, 1997 and  December  16, 1997,  the
Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Fund or the Manager,  and who have
no direct or  indirect  financial  interest  in the  operations  of the  current
Agreement or in any related Agreements (the "Independent Trustees"),  considered
and approved the terms of a new  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  (the "Proposed
Agreement") between the Fund and the Manager and determined to

                                     -9-

<PAGE>



recommend the Proposed  Agreement for approval by the shareholders.  If approved
by  shareholders  at this meeting,  the Proposed  Agreement will be effective on
such date and continue in effect until December 31, 1999,  and  thereafter  from
year to year unless terminated, but only so long as such continuance is approved
in accordance with the Investment  Company Act. A copy of the Proposed Agreement
is included in this Proxy  Statement as EXHIBIT A. If the Proposed  Agreement is
not approved, the Current Agreement will continue in effect.

The Proposed Agreement differs from the Current Agreement in that it removes the
limitation on Fund expenses. Under the Current Agreement, the Manager guarantees
that  the  total  expenses  of the  Fund in any  calendar  year,  including  the
management  fee but  exclusive of taxes,  interest,  brokerage  commissions  and
extraordinary   non-recurring   expenses  shall  not  exceed,  and  the  Manager
undertakes to pay or refund to the Fund any amount by which such expenses  shall
exceed,  the aggregate of 1-1/2% of the first $30 million of the Fund's  average
annual net assets plus 1% of the Fund's  average  annual net assets in excess of
$30 million.  Under the Current Agreement,  the payment of the management fee at
the end of any month will be reduced so that there will not be any  accrued  but
unpaid  liability under this expense  limitation.  During the Fund's most recent
fiscal year ended August 31, 1997,  and for the calendar year ended December 31,
1997, the Fund's  expenses did not exceed the threshold set forth in the Current
Agreement.

RATIONALE  FOR  REMOVING  THE EXPENSE  LIMITATION.  In the event that the Fund's
expenses  exceed  the  limitation  on Fund  expenses  contained  in the  Current
Agreement,  the  Manager  would pay or refund the excess to the Fund.  Since the
reimbursement  is to the Fund (and not to any class of shares of the Fund),  the
benefit  of  any  such  reimbursement  would  be  shared  by  each  class  on  a
proportionate basis. At the present time, the Manager has never been required to
reimburse  the Fund for Fund  expenses in excess of the expense  limit under the
Current  Agreement.  However,  it is anticipated  that the Fund's  expenses will
exceed the expense  limitation in calendar  year 1998,  primarily as a result of
increasing  sales of the Fund's Class B and Class C shares,  as explained below.
On a pro forma basis,  expenses  (including the  management  fee) for the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1997 and the calendar  year ended  December 31, 1997 would
have been unchanged had the expense limitation not been in effect.

The major  factors  causing the Fund's  expenses to approach the expense  limits
are: (1) the additional  asset-based sales charge (0.75% annually) applicable to
Class B and Class C shares,  and (2) the  increasing  proportion  of the  Fund's
assets  represented  by  Class  B and  Class  C  shares.  As the  Fund's  assets
represented by Class B and Class C shares grow relative to assets represented by
Class A shares,  the effect of the Class B and Class C share expenses causes the
overall  Fund  expenses to  approach  or exceed the limit.  Because of the lower
expense  ratio of Class A shares,  the Fund's Class A shares have  permitted the
sale of Class B and Class C shares of the Fund to investors  without concern for
the expense limit,  until now.  However,  no class of shares is subsidizing  any
other class of shares since each class is bearing its own class expenses and its
proportionate share of Fund expenses.

If the expense  limitation  is removed,  as per the  Proposed  Agreement,  it is
expected  that the Fund will pay the  Manager  more  over  time  than  under the
Current Agreement.  However,  the impact of removing the expense limitation (and
eliminating reimbursement by the Manager to the Fund of

                                     -10-

<PAGE>



excess expenses) would increase the expenses of each class  proportionately.  No
class would subsidize another,  because  reimbursement is at the Fund level, and
the   impact  of   removing   reimbursement   would  be  borne  by  each   class
proportionately.  However,  continuing  the expense  limitation  would force the
Manager to effectively manage assets  attributable to Class B and Class C shares
at the margin without  compensation.  As a result,  the Manager's  revenues from
managing  the Fund will  decline  over  time.  The  Manager  estimates  that its
revenues will decline approximately $1.2 million in 1998 and nearly $4.1 million
in 1999 if the expense limitation is not removed.

The Manager and the Distributor considered  alternatives to removing the expense
limitation.  One  alternative  is for the Manager to continue  managing the Fund
with the expense limit in place. However, once the expense limit is reached, the
Manager would be forced to essentially  manage assets  attributable  to marginal
Class B and  Class C shares  for  nothing  and to  reimburse  the Fund for other
expenses above the limit.

Another  alternative  would be to reduce the asset-based sales charge on Class B
and Class C shares. The asset-based sales charge enables the Distributor to sell
Class B and Class C shares  without a front-end  sales charge.  The  Distributor
recoups its upfront  payments to dealers for selling Class B and Class C shares,
and its associated  financing costs,  from the asset-based  sales charge. If the
asset-based sales charge is reduced,  this will lengthen the time over which the
Distributor will recover its costs.  Although the Distributor currently operates
at a loss, this may force the Distributor to operate at an even greater loss for
an extended  period of time.  Distributing  the Fund's shares at an even greater
loss for any extended period of time would not be feasible for the  Distributor.
It would not be feasible for the Distributor to discontinue offering Class B and
Class C shares of the Fund.

The  Manager  also  considered  that only three funds in the  Oppenheimer  funds
complex have an expense limitation in their investment advisory agreements.  The
Manager further considered that this limitation was adopted primarily to satisfy
"blue sky" regulations that no longer apply due to changes in federal securities
laws, and before the advent of multiple classes of shares.

IDENTICAL  TERMS OF THE  AGREEMENTS.  The  proposed  Agreement  and the  Current
Agreement  (hereinafter  jointly referred to as the  "Agreements") are identical
other than (i) removing the expense limitation from the Proposed Agreement, (ii)
the date of the  agreements,  (iii)  the  reference  to  Oppenheimer  Management
Corporation,  the  Manager's  name  prior to January  5,  1996,  in the  Current
Agreement and (iv) removing the reference to "annual meetings" from the Proposed
Agreement as they are no longer required.

The  Agreements  require the Manager,  at its expense,  to provide the Fund with
adequate  office  space,  facilities  and  equipment as well as to provide,  and
supervise the activities of all  administrative  and clerical personnel required
to provide effective  administration for the Fund, including the compilation and
maintenance  of records  with respect to its  operations,  the  preparation  and
filing of specified reports, and composition of proxy materials and registration
statements  for  continuous  public  sale of shares of the  Fund.  Expenses  not
expressly  assumed by the Manager under the Agreements or by the  Distributor of
the Fund's shares are paid by the Fund. The Agreements list examples of expenses
paid by the Fund,  the major  categories  of which  relate to  interest,  taxes,
brokerage  commissions,  fees to  certain  Trustees,  legal and audit  expenses,
custodian and transfer

                                     -11-

<PAGE>



agent  expenses,   share  certificate   issuance  costs,  certain  printing  and
registration costs, and non-recurring expenses, including litigation.

Under the Agreements,  the Manager  supervises the investment  operations of the
Fund and the  composition  of its  portfolio  and  furnishes the Fund advice and
recommendations  with  respect  to  investments,  investment  policies  and  the
purchase and sale of securities.  The management fee, computed daily and payable
monthly under the  Agreements to the Manager,  is computed on the average annual
net assets of the Fund at the following  annual  rates:  0.75% of the first $100
million of average annual net assets;  0.70% of the next $100 million;  0.65% of
the next $100 million;  0.60% of the next $100  million;  0.55% of the next $100
million and 0.50% of average annual net assets in excess of $500 million. During
the  fiscal  year  ended  August 31,  1997,  the Fund paid the  Manager a fee of
$14,800,449  under the Current  Agreement.  The Manager also acts as  investment
adviser to other  Oppenheimer  funds that have similar or comparable  investment
objectives. A list of those funds and the net assets and advisory fee rates paid
by those funds is contained in EXHIBIT B to this Proxy Statement.

So long as it shall  have  acted with due care and in good  faith,  the  Manager
shall not be liable under the Agreements for any loss sustained by reason of any
investment,  the adoption of any  investment  policy,  or the purchase,  sale or
retention  of any security  irrespective  of whether the  determinations  of the
Manager  relative  thereto  shall have been  based,  wholly or partly,  upon the
investigation or research of any other individual,  firm or corporation believed
by it to be reliable.  Nothing  contained in the Agreement  shall,  however,  be
construed  to protect  the  Manager  against  any  liability  to the Fund or its
shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance,  bad faith or gross negligence in
the  performance  of its duties,  or by reason of its reckless  disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement.

The  Agreements  permit the Manager to act as  investment  adviser for any other
person, firm or corporation and to use the name "Oppenheimer" in connection with
other investment  companies for which it may act as investment  adviser.  If the
Manager shall no longer act as investment  adviser to the Fund, the right of the
Fund to use the name "Oppenheimer" as part of its name may be withdrawn.

BROKERAGE  PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENTS.  One of the duties of the Manager under
the  Agreements  is to arrange  the  portfolio  transactions  for the Fund.  The
Agreements  contain  provisions  relating to the  employment  of  broker-dealers
("brokers")  to effect  the  Fund's  portfolio  transactions.  In doing so,  the
Manager is authorized by the Agreement to employ such broker-dealers,  including
"affiliated"  brokers, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act, as
may, in its best judgment based on all relevant factors, implement the policy of
the Fund to obtain,  at reasonable  expense,  the "best  execution"  (prompt and
reliable execution at the most favorable price obtainable) of such transactions.
Allocations of brokerage are generally made by the Manager's  portfolio  traders
based upon recommendations from the Manager's portfolio managers.

Under the  Agreements,  the Manager is authorized to select brokers that provide
brokerage  and/or research  services for the Fund and/or the other accounts over
which the Manager or its affiliates  have  investment  discretion.  The research
services provided by a particular broker may be useful only to

                                     -12-

<PAGE>



one or more of the  advisory  accounts of the Manager  and its  affiliates,  and
investment  research received for the commissions of those other accounts may be
useful  both to the Fund and one or more of such  other  accounts.  The Board of
Trustees  permits the Manager to use  concessions  on fixed price  offerings  to
obtain research, in the same manner as is permitted for agency transactions. The
Board  also  permits  the  Manager  to  use  stated   commissions  on  secondary
fixed-income  agency trades to obtain  research where the broker has represented
to the  Manager  that:  (i)  the  trade  is not  from or for  the  broker's  own
inventory;  (ii) the trade was  executed by the broker on an agency basis at the
stated commission; and (iii) the trade is not a riskless principal transaction.

THE MANAGER, THE DISTRIBUTOR AND THE TRANSFER AGENT. Subject to the authority of
the Board of Trustees,  the Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management
of the Fund's business,  pursuant to its investment  advisory agreement with the
Fund.  OppenheimerFunds  Distributor,  Inc., a wholly-  owned  subsidiary of the
Manager,  is the general  distributor (the  "Distributor") of the Fund's shares.
OppenheimerFunds Services, a division of the Manager, serves as the transfer and
shareholder  servicing agent (the "Transfer Agent") for the Fund on an "at-cost"
basis, for which it was paid $2,968,029 by the Fund during its fiscal year ended
August 31,  1997.  The Manager,  the  Distributor  and the  Transfer  Agent will
continue to provide these services to the Fund whether the Proposed Agreement is
in force or the Current Agreement is in force.

The Manager (including  subsidiaries)  currently manages  investment  companies,
including other  Oppenheimer  funds,  with assets of more than $75 billion as of
December  31,  1997,  and with  more than 3 million  shareholder  accounts.  The
Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. ("OAC"), a
holding  company  controlled  by  Massachusetts  Mutual Life  Insurance  Company
("MassMutual").  The Manager,  the  Distributor and OAC are located at Two World
Trade  Center,  New York,  New York 10048.  MassMutual  is located at 1295 State
Street,  Springfield,  Massachusetts  01111. OAC acquired the Manager on October
22, 1990.  As indicated  below,  the common stock of OAC is owned by (i) certain
officers  and/or  directors of the Manager,  (ii)  MassMutual  and (iii) another
investor.  No institution or person holds 5% or more of OAC's outstanding common
stock except  MassMutual.  MassMutual has engaged in the life insurance business
since 1851.

The common  stock of OAC is divided  into three  classes.  At December 31, 1997,
MassMutual  held (i) all of the 2,160,000  shares of Class A voting stock,  (ii)
827,181 shares of Class B voting stock,  and (iii)  1,441,473  shares of Class C
non-voting stock. This collectively  represented 88.6% of the outstanding common
stock and 95.3% of the  voting  power of OAC as of that date.  Certain  officers
and/or  directors of the Manager  held (i) 405,090  shares of the Class B voting
stock,  representing 8.1% of the outstanding common stock and 3.0% of the voting
power, and (ii) options  acquired  without cash payment which,  when they become
exercisable,  allow the  holders to  purchase  up to  607,342  shares of Class C
non-voting  stock. That group includes persons who serve as officers of the Fund
and Messrs.  James C. Swain and George C. Bowen and Ms. Macaskill,  who serve as
Trustees  of the Fund.  Holders of OAC Class B and Class C common  stock may put
(sell) their shares and vested  options to OAC or  MassMutual at a formula price
(based on earnings of the  Manager).  MassMutual  may exercise  call  (purchase)
options  on all  outstanding  shares of both such  classes  of common  stock and
vested  options at the same formula  price.  From the period  January 1, 1997 to
December 31, 1997, the only transactions by persons who serve as Trustees of the
Fund were

                                     -13-

<PAGE>



by Mr. Swain, who surrendered to OAC 13,423 stock appreciation  rights issued in
tandem with the Class C OAC options, for a cash payment of $2,164,436.

The names and principal  occupations of the executive  officers and directors of
the Manager are as follows:  Bridget A.  Macaskill,  President,  Chief Executive
Officer and a director; Donald W. Spiro, Chairman Emeritus and a director; James
C. Swain, Vice Chairman; O. Leonard Darling,  Paula Gabriele,  Barbara Hennigar,
James Ruff, Loretta McCarthy and Nancy Sperte, Executive Vice Presidents; Andrew
J. Donohue,  Executive Vice President and General Counsel and a director; Robert
C. Doll,  Executive Vice President and a director;  Jeremy Griffiths,  Executive
Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer;  George C.  Bowen,  Senior  Vice
President and Treasurer;  Peter M. Antos, Victor Babin, Robert A. Densen, Ronald
H. Fielding, Robert E. Patterson,  Richard Rubinstein,  Arthur Steinmetz,  Ralph
Stellmacher,  John Stoma, Jerry A. Webman,  William L. Wilby and Robert G. Zack,
Senior Vice Presidents. These officers are located at one of the four offices of
the Manager:  Two World Trade Center, New York, NY 10048; 6803 South Tucson Way,
Englewood,  CO 80112;  350 Linden Oaks,  Rochester,  NY 14625 and One  Financial
Plaza, 755 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103.

CONSIDERATIONS BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.  In connection with the approval of the
Proposed   Agreement,   the  Manager  provided  extensive   information  to  the
Independent  Trustees.  The Independent Trustees were provided information as to
the  qualifications  of the Manager's  personnel,  the quality and extent of the
services rendered and its commitment to its mutual fund advisory  business.  The
Independent  Trustees  also  considered  information  presented  by the  Manager
showing the extent to which it had expanded its  investment  personnel and other
services  dedicated to the equity area of its mutual fund  advisory  activities.
Information  prepared  specifically for the purpose of assisting the Independent
Trustees in their evaluation of the Proposed  Agreement  included an analysis of
the performance and expenses of the Fund as compared to other similar funds.

ANALYSIS OF NATURE,  QUALITY AND EXTENT OF SERVICES.  In determining  whether to
approve the  Proposed  Agreement  and to  recommend  its  approval by the Fund's
shareholders,  the Independent Trustees particularly considered:  (1) the effect
of  removing  the  expense  limitation  on the  Fund's  expense  ratio;  (2) the
investment  record of the  Manager  in  managing  the  Fund;  and (3) data as to
investment  performance,  advisory fees and expense  ratios of other  investment
companies not advised by the Manager but believed to be comparable to the Fund.

The Independent  Trustees also considered the following  factors,  among others:
(1)  although  the Fund expense  ratio will  ultimately  increase if the expense
limitation  is removed  because the Fund will pay more to the Manager  under the
Proposed  Agreement  than under the Current  Agreement  over time, the impact of
this increase would be borne by each class proportionately;  (2) the inequity of
declining  revenues to the Manager caused by the  increasing  percentage of Fund
assets  represented by Class B and Class C shares; (3) the inequity of requiring
the  Manager to manage  assets  represented  by the  Fund's  Class B and Class C
shares for declining  revenues;  (4) removing the expense limitation will enable
the Manager to continue  managing  assets  represented by the Fund's Class B and
Class C shares at a  reasonable  compensation  level;  (5) only the Fund and two
money funds within the Oppenheimer  funds complex have an expense  limitation in
their  investment  advisory  agreements;  and (6) this  expense  limitation  was
adopted a number of years ago to satisfy

                                     -14-

<PAGE>



state  "blue  sky"  regulations  that no longer  apply due to changes in federal
securities laws, and before the advent of multiple classes of shares.

DETERMINATION BY THE INDEPENDENT  TRUSTEES AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.  The Board
of Trustees,  including the  Independent  Trustees,  considered all of the above
matters in reaching its decision to approve the Proposed Agreement.  In light of
the  foregoing,  the Board  concluded  that the advisory fee without the expense
limitation,  per the Proposed Agreement,  is fair and reasonable to the Fund and
its  shareholders.  The  Board  did not  single  out any one  factor or group of
factors as being more important than other factors,  but considered such matters
together  in arriving  at its  decision.  After  completion  of its review,  the
Independent  Trustees  recommended that the Board of Trustees  approve,  and the
Board unanimously approved, the Proposed Agreement.

VOTE  REQUIRED.  An  affirmative  vote  of the  holders  of a  "majority  of the
outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the
Fund is required for approval of the Proposed Agreement; the classes do not vote
separately.  The  requirements  for  such  "majority"  vote  is  defined  in the
Investment  Company  Act as the vote of the holders of the lesser of: (i) 67% or
more of the voting securities present or represented by proxy at the shareholder
meeting,  if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding  voting  securities
are present or  represented by proxy,  or (ii) more than 50% of the  outstanding
voting  securities.  If the  Proposed  Agreement  is not  approved,  the Current
Agreement  will  continue.  THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES  RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF
APPROVING THE PROPOSED INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT.

                        RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

The Fund is not  required  to hold  shareholder  meetings  on a  regular  basis.
Special  meetings of shareholders  may be called from time to time by either the
Fund or the  shareholders  (under  special  conditions  described  in the Fund's
Statement of Additional  Information).  Under the proxy rules of the  Securities
and Exchange Commission, shareholder proposals which meet certain conditions may
be included in the Fund's proxy  statement  and proxy for a particular  meeting.
Those rules require that for future  meetings,  the shareholder must be a record
or  beneficial  owner of Fund shares with a value of at least $1,000 at the time
the proposal is submitted and for one year prior  thereto,  and must continue to
own such  shares  through  the  date on  which  the  meeting  is  held.  Another
requirement  relates  to the timely  receipt  by the Fund of any such  proposal.
Under those  rules,  a proposal  submitted  for  inclusion  in the Fund's  proxy
material  for the next meeting  after the meeting to which this proxy  statement
relates must be received by the Fund a reasonable  time before the  solicitation
is made. The fact that the Fund receives a proposal from a qualified shareholder
in a timely  manner does not ensure its inclusion in the proxy  material,  since
there are other requirements under the proxy rules for such inclusion.

                                 OTHER BUSINESS

Management  of the Fund knows of no business  other than the  matters  specified
above that will be presented at the Meeting. Since matters not known at the time
of the solicitation may come before the Meeting,  the proxy as solicited confers
discretionary authority with respect to such matters as properly come before the
Meeting, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof, and it is the

                                     -15-

<PAGE>



intention  of the persons  named as  attorneys-in-fact  in the proxy to vote the
proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters.

                                   By Order of the Board of Trustees,

                                   Andrew J. Donohue, Secretary

                                   February 16, 1998





proxy\300def.498

                                     -16-

<PAGE>



                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                          INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


THIS  AGREEMENT  made  as of  the  16th  day of  April,  1998,  by  and  between
OPPENHEIMER EQUITY INCOME FUND (hereinafter the "Fund"),  and  OPPENHEIMERFUNDS,
INC. (hereinafter the "Manager"):

WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end,  diversified  investment company registered as
such with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")  pursuant to
the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended (the  "Investment  Company Act")
and the Manager is a registered investment adviser;

NOW,   THEREFORE,   in  consideration  of  the  mutual  promises  and  covenants
hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the parties, as follows:

1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS:

The Fund hereby employs the Manager and the Manager hereby  undertakes to act as
the investment adviser of the Fund and to perform for the Fund such other duties
and functions as are hereinafter  set forth.  The Manager shall, in all matters,
give to the Fund and its Board of  Trustees  the  benefit of its best  judgment,
effort,  advice and  recommendations and shall, at all times conform to, and use
its best  efforts to enable the Fund to  conform  to (i) the  provisions  of the
Investment Company Act and any rules and regulations thereunder;  (ii) any other
applicable  provisions  of state or federal  law;  (iii) the  provisions  of the
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Fund as amended from time to time;  (iv)
policies  and  determinations  of the Board of  Trustees  of the  Fund;  (v) the
fundamental policies and investment restrictions of the Fund as reflected in its
registration  statement  under  the  Investment  Company  Act and in the  Fund's
By-Laws,  or as such  policies  may, from time to time, be amended by the Fund's
shareholders;  and (vi) the  Prospectus of the Fund in effect from time to time.
The  appropriate  officers and employees of the Manager shall be available  upon
reasonable notice for consultations with any of the Trustees and officers of the
Fund with  respect to any matters  dealing  with the business and affairs of the
Fund including the valuation of any of the Fund's portfolio securities which are
either not  registered  for public  sale or not being  traded on any  securities
market.

2.  INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT:

(a) The Manager shall,  subject to the direction and control by the Fund's Board
of Trustees (i) regularly provide  investment advice and  recommendations to the
Fund with respect to its investments,  investment  policies and the purchase and
sale of securities;  (ii) supervise  continuously the investment  program of the
Fund and the composition of its portfolio and determine what securities shall be
purchased or sold by the Fund; and (iii)  arrange,  subject to the provisions of
paragraph "6" hereof,  for the purchase of securities and other  investments for
the Fund and the sale of securities and other  investments held in the portfolio
of the Fund. The Manager shall also conduct

                                       A-1

<PAGE>



investigations  and research in the  securities  field and furnish to the Fund's
Board of  Trustees  statistical  and other  factual  information  and reports on
industries,  businesses  or  corporations,  to assist the Manager and the Fund's
Board of Trustees in furthering  the  investment  policies of the Fund;  and the
Manager  shall  compile,  for its use and that of the Fund,  and  furnish to the
Fund's  Board of  Trustees,  information  and advice on  economic  and  business
trends, and render such other complete investment  management services as may be
necessary or  appropriate  to effectuate  the investment of the resources of the
Fund through the acquisition, holding and disposition of portfolio securities.

(b) Provided that the Fund shall not be required to pay any  compensation  other
than as provided by the terms of this Agreement and subject to the provisions of
paragraph "6" hereof, the Manager may obtain investment information, research or
assistance from any other person,  firm or corporation to supplement,  update or
otherwise improve its investment management services.

(c) So long as it shall have acted with due care and in good faith,  the Manager
shall not be liable  for any loss  sustained  by reason of any  investment,  the
adoption of any  investment  policy,  or the purchase,  sale or retention of any
security  irrespective  of whether the  determinations  of the Manager  relative
thereto  shall have been  based,  wholly or partly,  upon the  investigation  or
research  of any other  individual,  firm or  corporation  believed  by it to be
reliable.  Nothing herein contained shall,  however, be construed to protect the
Manager  against  any  liability  to the Fund or its  shareholders  by reason of
willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or gross  negligence in the  performance of its
duties,  or by reason of its reckless  disregard of its  obligations  and duties
under this Agreement.

(d) Nothing in this Agreement  shall prevent the Manager or any officer  thereof
from acting as  investment  adviser or  performing  management  services for any
other person, firm or corporation and shall not in any way limit or restrict the
Manager  or any of its  directors,  officers,  shareholders  or  employees  from
buying,  selling or trading any  securities  for its or their own account or for
the  account  of others for whom it or they may be  acting,  provided  that such
activities will not adversely  affect or otherwise impair the performance by the
Manager of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, nor adversely affect
the Fund.

3.  OTHER DUTIES OF THE MANAGER:

The Manager shall,  at its own expense,  provide and supervise the activities of
all  executive,  administrative  and clerical  personnel as shall be required to
provide  effective  administration  for the Fund,  including the compilation and
maintenance  of such records with respect to its operations as may reasonably be
required;  the  preparation  and filing of such reports with respect  thereto as
shall be required by the  Commission,  and the laws of any state,  territory  or
possession of the United States or any foreign country;  composition of periodic
reports  with  respect  to its  operations  for the  shareholders  of the  Fund;
composition of proxy materials for meetings of the Fund's shareholders;  and the
composition  of such  registration  statements  as may be  required  by  federal
securities laws and the laws of any state, territory or possession of the United
States or any foreign country for continuous  public sale of shares of the Fund.
The Manager  shall,  at its own cost and expense,  provide such officers for the
Fund as the Fund's Board may request and shall also provide the Fund's Trustees,
at their request,  with adequate office space,  and normal office  equipment and
secretarial

                                       A-2

<PAGE>



assistance as may be necessary for them to perform their  functions as such, and
the Manager  shall,  at its own cost and expense,  calculate the daily net asset
value of the Fund's shares and maintain the Fund's general  accounting books and
records.  The cost and expenses of the Manager set forth in this  paragraph 3 do
not  include  the  transfer  agent and other  costs  and  expenses  set forth in
paragraph 4 following.

4. ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES TO THE FUND:

All other costs and expenses  not  expressly  assumed by the Manager  under this
Agreement,  or to be paid by the General  Distributor of the shares of the Fund,
shall be paid by the Fund,  including but not limited to (i) interest and taxes;
(ii)  brokerage  commissions;  (iii)  insurance  premiums on fidelity  and other
coverage  requisite to its  operations;  (iv)  compensation  and expenses of its
Trustees  except as qualified  further in this  paragraph 4; (v) legal and audit
expenses;  (vi) custodian and transfer  agent fees and expenses;  (vii) expenses
incident  to the  redemption  of its  shares;  (viii)  expenses  incident to the
issuance  of  its  shares  against  payment  therefor  by or on  behalf  of  the
subscribers thereto; (ix) fees and expenses, other than as hereinabove provided,
incident to the  registration of the Fund's shares for public sale under federal
securities laws or the laws of any state,  territory or possession of the United
States or any foreign country;  (x) expenses of printing and mailing reports and
notices and proxy material to  shareholders of the Fund; (xi) except as noted in
paragraph 3 hereof, all other expenses incidental to holding any meetings of the
Fund's shareholders;  and (xii) such extraordinary non-recurring expenses as may
arise,  including  litigation,  affecting  the Fund and the legal  obligation or
right  which the Fund may have to  indemnify  its  officers  and  Trustees  with
respect thereto unless the Fund has the right to recover said indemnity payments
from the  Manager.  Any  officers  or  employees  of the  Manager  or any entity
controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Manager who may also
serve as  officers,  Trustees  or  employees  of the Fund shall not  receive any
compensation by the Fund for their services.

5.  COMPENSATION OF THE MANAGER:

The Fund  agrees to pay the  Manager  and the  Manager  agrees to accept as full
compensation  for the  performance of all functions and duties on its part to be
performed  pursuant to the  provisions  hereof,  a fee computed on the net asset
value of the Fund as of the close of each  business  day and payable  monthly at
the following annual rates:

        .75% of the first $100 million of net assets;
        .70% of the next $100 million;
        .65% of the next $100 million;
        .60% of the next $100 million;
        .55% of the next $100 million;
        .50% of net assets in excess of $500 million.

6.  PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE:

(a) The Manager will render all services for the Fund in connection with placing
orders with brokers and dealers for the  purchase,  sale or trade of  securities
for the Fund's portfolio.


                                       A-3

<PAGE>



(b) The Manager is authorized,  in arranging the purchase and sale of the Fund's
portfolio  securities,  to  employ  or deal  with  such  members  of  securities
exchanges,   brokers  or  dealers  (hereinafter   "broker-dealers"),   including
"affiliated"  broker-dealers,  as that term is defined in the Investment Company
Act, as may, in its best  judgment,  implement the policy of the Fund to obtain,
at reasonable  expense,  the "best execution"  (prompt and reliable execution at
the  most  favorable   security  price   obtainable)  of  the  Fund's  portfolio
transactions  as well as to obtain,  consistent  with provisions of subparagraph
(c) of this paragraph 6, the benefit of such investment  information or research
as will be of  significant  assistance to the  performance by the Manager of its
investment management functions.

(c) The  Manager  shall  select  broker-dealers  to effect the Fund's  portfolio
transactions  on the basis of its  estimate  of their  ability  to  obtain  best
execution of particular and related portfolio  transactions.  The abilities of a
broker-dealer  to obtain best execution of particular  portfolio  transaction(s)
will  be  judged  by the  Manager  on the  basis  of all  relevant  factors  and
considerations  including,  insofar  as  feasible,  the  execution  capabilities
required by the transaction or transactions;  the ability and willingness of the
broker-dealer to facilitate the Fund's  portfolio  transactions by participating
therein for its own account; the importance to the Fund of speed,  efficiency or
confidentiality;  the broker- dealer's apparent familiarity with sources from or
to whom particular  securities  might be purchased or sold; as well as any other
matters relevant to the selection of a broker-dealer  for particular and related
transactions of the Fund.

(d) The Manager shall have discretion, in the interests of the Fund, to allocate
brokerage on the Fund's  portfolio  transactions to  broker-dealers  (other than
affiliated   broker-dealers)   qualified  to  obtain  best   execution  of  such
transactions  and who provide  "brokerage  and/or  research  services"  (as such
services  are defined in Section 28 (e) (3) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934)  for the Fund  and/or  other  accounts  for which  the  Manager  exercises
"investment  discretion"  (as that term is  defined in Section 3 (a) (35) of the
Securities   Exchange   Act  of  1934)  and  to  cause  the  Fund  to  pay  such
broker-dealers  a commission for effecting a portfolio  transaction for the Fund
that is in excess of the amount of commission another  broker-dealer  adequately
qualified  to effect such  transaction  would have  charged for  effecting  that
transaction,  if the Manager determines,  in good faith, that such commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage  and/or  research  services
provided  by such  broker-dealer,  viewed  in terms of  either  that  particular
transaction  or the  Manager's  overall  responsibilities  with  respect  to the
accounts  as to which it  exercises  investment  discretion.  In  reaching  such
determination,  the Manager  will not be required to place or attempt to place a
specific  dollar value on the brokerage  and/or  research  services  provided or
being provided by such broker-dealer.  In demonstrating that such determinations
were  made in good  faith,  the  Manager  shall  be  prepared  to show  that all
commissions were allocated for purposes  contemplated by this Agreement and that
the total commissions paid by the Fund over a representative  period selected by
the Fund's Trustees were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund.

(e) The Manager  shall have  discretion  in the  interests  of the Fund and when
consistent  with the then  effective  rules of the  Commission  and the National
Association of Securities Dealers,  Inc., to consider the sales of shares of the
Fund and other Funds  managed by the Manager and its  affiliates  as a factor in
the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio  transactions for the Fund.
In doing so, the portfolio  transactions  must be (i) consistent  with obtaining
the "best execution" of the Fund's

                                       A-4

<PAGE>



portfolio  transactions (as defined in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph),  and
(ii) the commissions  paid to brokers selected wholly or partly on this basis do
not exceed the  commissions  otherwise  authorized by this  Investment  Advisory
Agreement.

(f) The Manager  shall have no duty or  obligation  to seek advance  competitive
bidding for the most  favorable  commission  rate  applicable to any  particular
portfolio  transactions  or to  select  any  broker-dealer  on the  basis of its
purported  or "posted"  commission  rate but will,  to the best of its  ability,
endeavor  to  be  aware  of  the  current  level  of  the  charges  of  eligible
broker-dealers  and to minimize the expense  incurred by the Fund for  effecting
its  portfolio  transactions  to the extent  consistent  with the  interests and
policies  of the  Fund as  established  by the  determinations  of its  Board of
Trustees and the provisions of this paragraph 6.

(g)  Transactions  with affiliated  broker-dealers  are required to conform to a
number of restrictions and conditions:  (1) affiliated broker-dealers may effect
portfolio  transactions  for the  Fund  only if the  commissions,  fees or other
remuneration  received or to be received by them are  determined  in  accordance
with procedures  contemplated by any rule, regulation or order adopted under the
Investment   Company  Act  for  determining   the  permissible   level  of  such
commissions; and (2) if required by Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934,  affiliated  broker-dealers may not receive  compensation in connection
with any portfolio  transaction  effected on a national  securities exchange for
the Fund if the affiliated  broker-dealers  are members of such exchange  unless
there  is  an  effective   separate  written  contract  between  the  affiliated
broker-dealers  and the Fund expressly  providing  otherwise and which refers to
said Section 11(a) and the rules  promulgated  thereunder  and provides that any
transactions executed on an exchange of which the affiliated  broker-dealers are
members must be executed on the floor of such  exchange by a member which is not
an "associated person" of the affiliated broker-dealers.

7.  DURATION:

This  Agreement  will take  effect on the date  first set forth  above and shall
continue in effect until December 31, 1999, and  thereafter,  from year to year,
unless earlier terminated by operation of law, so long as such continuance shall
be approved  annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees,  including  the vote of a
majority of the  Trustees of the Fund who are not parties to this  Agreement  or
interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such  approval,  or by the  holders  of a  majority  of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by such a vote of the Fund's Board
of Trustees.

8.  TERMINATION:

This Agreement may be terminated (i) by the Manager at any time without  penalty
by giving sixty days'  written  notice (which notice may be waived by the Fund);
or (ii) by the Fund at any time without  penalty upon sixty days' written notice
to the Manager  (which notice may be waived by the Manager),  provided that such
termination  by the Fund shall be  directed or approved by the Board of Trustees
of the Fund or by the  vote of the  holders  of a  majority  of the  outstanding
voting securities of the Fund.


                                       A-5

<PAGE>



10. ASSIGNMENT OR AMENDMENT:

This Agreement may not be amended or the rights of the Manager  thereunder sold,
transferred,   pledged  or  otherwise  in  any  manner  encumbered  without  the
affirmative  vote or written  consent  of the  holders  of the  majority  of the
outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund; this Agreement shall  automatically
and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment.

11. DISCLAIMER OF SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY:

The Manager  understands  that the  obligations of the Fund under this Agreement
are not binding upon any Trustee or shareholder of the Fund personally, but bind
only the Fund and the Fund's property. The Manager represents that it has notice
of the provisions of the  Declaration of Trust of the Fund  disclaiming  Trustee
and shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund.

12. USE OF NAME "OPPENHEIMER":

The Manager hereby grants to the Fund a royalty-free,  non-exclusive  license to
use the name  "Oppenheimer"  in the name of the  Fund for the  duration  of this
Agreement and any  extensions or renewals  thereof.  To the extent  necessary to
protect the Manager's  rights to the name  "Oppenheimer"  under  applicable law,
such license  shall allow the Manager to inspect and,  subject to control by the
Fund's  Board,  control the nature and  quality of services  offered by the Fund
under such name.  Such license  may,  upon  termination  of this  Agreement,  be
terminated by the Manager,  in which event the Fund shall promptly take whatever
action may be  necessary to change its name and  discontinue  any further use of
the  name  "Oppenheimer"  in the  name  of  the  Fund  or  otherwise.  The  name
"Oppenheimer"  may  be  used  by  the  Manager  in  connection  with  any of its
activities, or licensed by the Manager to any other party.

13. DEFINITIONS:

The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and defined in a
manner consistent with the provisions and definitions of the Investment  Company
Act and other applicable laws.

                                          OPPENHEIMER EQUITY
                                          INCOME FUND

Attest:_______________________            By:__________________________
            Robert G. Zack                       Andrew J. Donohue,
            Assistant Secretary                  Vice President

                                          OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.


Attest:_______________________            By:__________________________
         Katherine P. Feld                         Robert G. Zack
         Vice President and Secretary              Senior Vice President

                                       A-6

<PAGE>


                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                              APPROXIMATE
                              NET ASSETS AS
                              OF 12/31/97      ADVISORY FEE RATE AS % OF
NAME OF FUND                  ($ MILLIONS)     AVERAGE ANNUAL NET ASSETS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oppenheimer Total Return      $3,286.1         .75% of the first $100 million of
  Fund, Inc.                                   average annual net assets,
____________________________________________   .70% of the  next $100 million,
Oppenheimer Equity Income     $3,568.5         .65% of the next $100 million,
    Fund                                       .60% of the next $100 million,
                                             .55% of the next $100 million, and
                                             .50% of average annual net assets
                                                in excess of $500 million
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Main Street       $9,731.7        .65% of the first $200 million of
  Income & Growth Fund,                        average annual net assets,
  a series of Oppenheimer                      .60% of the next $150 million,
  Main Street Funds, Inc.                   .55% of the next $150  million, and
                                            .45% of average annual net assets in
                                               excess of $500 million
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Growth & Income   $154.9         .75% of the first $200  million of
   Fund, a series of Oppenheimer               average annual net assets,
   Variable Account Funds                      .72% of the next $200 million,
_______________________________________________.69% of the next $200 million,
Oppenheimer Multiple          $637.7        .66% of the next $200  million, and
   Strategies Fund, a series of             .60% of average annual net assets in
   Oppenheimer Variable                        excess of $800 million
   Account Funds
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Multiple Strategie$813.5         0.75% of the first $200 million of
   Fund                                        average annual net assets;  0.72%
                                               of the next $200  million,  0.69%
                                               of the next $200  million,  0.66%
                                               of the next $200  million,  0.60%
                                               of the next $700 million, and
                                               0.58% average annual net assets
                                               in excess of $1.5 billion
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------







proxy\300def.498

                                       B-1




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission