MERGER FUND
NSAR-A, 1998-05-28
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<PAGE>      PAGE  1
000 A000000 03/31/98
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001 A000000 THE MERGER FUND
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<PAGE>      PAGE  8
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<PAGE>      PAGE  9
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SIGNATURE   KERRY QUIGLEY
TITLE       FUND ADMINISTRATION



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000701804
<NAME> THE MERGER FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
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