PIONEER GROUP INC
SC 13D/A, 1996-07-30
INVESTMENT ADVICE
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                                  Page 1 of 16

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington D.C. 20549

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

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No 10) *

                    __________Pioneer Group Inc._____________

                                (Name of issuer)

                     __________Common Shares_______________

                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                            ------ ------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                    Mr P Acton, Mercury Asset Management plc

          33 King William Street, London EC4R 9AS Tel No 0171 203 5741
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Name , Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorised
                     to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                  17 July, 1996

             (Date of Event which Requires filing of this statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1 (b) (3) or (4), check the following box. [ ]

Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement [ ]
(A fee is not required only if the reporting person:  (1) has a previous
statement on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent
of the class of securities described in Item 1: and (2) has filed no
amendment subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent
or less of such class).  (See Rule 13d-7).

NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with
the Commission. See Rule 13d-1 (a) for other parties to whom copies are to be
sent.

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act. (however, see the
Notes.)

2776

Schedule 13D

CUSIP No. __________________________

- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
1       NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
        SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO OF ABOVE PERSON
        MERCURY ASSET MANAGEMENT plc

- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
2       CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*    (A)  [ ]

                                                             (B)  [ ]
- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
3       SEC USE ONLY


- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
4       SOURCE OF FUNDS*
        00

- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
5       CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
        IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                [ ]

- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
6       CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANISATION
        ENGLAND

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

- ------------------------ ------- -----------------------------------------------
                         7    SOLE VOTING POWER

                              NONE
   NUMBER OF             ------- -----------------------------------------------
    SHARES               8    SHARED VOTING POWER
  BENEFICIALLY
   OWNED BY                   NONE
     EACH                ------- -----------------------------------------------
   REPORTING             9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
   PERSON
    WITH                      2,126,450
                         ------- -----------------------------------------------
                        10    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER


- ------------------------ ------- -----------------------------------------------
- -------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
11       AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

- -------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
12       CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
         EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*                                 [ ]

- -------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
13       PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
         8.52%
- -------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
14       TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

         IA
- -------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

Item 1. Security and Issuer

               The class of equity securities to which this statement relates is
the shares of Common Stock (the "Common Shares") of Pioneer Group Inc (the
"Company") whose principal executive offices are located at 60 State Street,
Boston, MA02109, 1820 USA. Its telephone number is (617) 422 4281.

Item 2.        Identity and Background

               This statement is being filed by Mercury Asset Management plc.
("Mercury"), a corporation primarily engaged in the business of managing
portfolio investments for its investment clients, organised under the laws of
England, whose principal executive offices are located, and principal business
activities conducted, at 33 King William Street, London EC4R 9AS, England.

               Pursuant to Rule 13d-4 (17 CFR 240. 13d-4) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") Mercury hereby declares that the filing of this
statement shall not be construed as an admission that Mercury is or has been for
purposes of Sections 13(d) or 13(g) of the Act, the beneficial owner of any
securities covered by the statement. As noted above, Mercury manages portfolio
investments of its investment clients, and the securities covered by this
statement are held solely for the account of such clients.

               Under the terms of its agreements with such clients, Mercury has
discretion to buy and sell securities on their behalf subject to such guidelines
as may be agreed and subject to any contrary instructions which may be received.
Mercury has neither voting power nor the right to receive dividends from, or
proceeds from the sale of, any portfolio investments. 57,000 shares are held for
the benefit of collective investment schemes managed by Mercury Asset Management
Channel Islands Limited, an associate of Mercury. A division of Mercury is the
investment adviser under contract to Mercury Asset Management Channel Islands
Limited.

               Mercury is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercury Asset Management
Group plc, a holding company listed on London Stock Exchange.

               The name, business address, principal occupation or employment
and citizenship of each of the executive officers and directors of Mercury and
Mercury Asset Management Group plc, and the name, country of incorporation,
principal business, and the address of the registered office (being the address
of its principal business and principal office) of Mercury and Mercury Asset
Management Group plc are set forth in Annex A hereto, which is incorporated
herein by reference.

               Neither Mercury nor, to the best of its knowledge, any of the
persons listed in Annex A has during the past five years (a) been convicted in a
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanours), or
(b) been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body as a
result of which Mercury or any such person was or is subject to a judgement,
decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or
mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or finding
any violations with respect to such laws.

Item 3.        Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

               The source of all funds used to acquire the securities covered by
this statement was the investment funds of Mercury's investment clients. No part
of the purchase price was represented by funds or other consideration borrowed
or otherwise obtained by Mercury than as described above.

Item 4.        Purpose of Transaction

               The Common Shares were acquired for the purpose of investment.
               (a) Mercury will monitor its investment and review the Company's
               business affairs and financial position. Based on such review, as
               well as general economic and industry conditions existing at the
               time, Mercury may consider from time to time various alternative
               courses of action and may discuss with management of the Company
               ways in which the value of its investment may be increased. Such
               actions may include the acquisition of additional Common Stock
               through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions,
               or otherwise. Alternatively, such actions may involve the sale of
               all or a portion of Common Stock in the open market, in privately
               negotiated transactions, through a public offering or otherwise.

               Neither Mercury nor any person named in Annex A has any plans
               which relate to or would result in any of the following:

               (b) an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as an
               amalgamation, merger, reorganisation or liquidation, involving
               the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

               (c) a sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the
               Company or of any of its subsidiaries;

               (d) any change in the present board of directors or management of
               the Company, including any plans or proposals to change the
               number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancies on
               the board;

               (e) any material change in the present capitalisation or dividend
               policy of the Company;

               (f) any other material change in the Company's business or
               corporate structure;

               (g) any change in the Company's charter, by-laws or instruments
               corresponding thereto or other actions which may impede the
               acquisition of control of the Company by any person;

               (h) causing a class of securities of the Company to be delisted
               from a national securities exchange or to cease to be authorised
               to be quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system of a registered
               national securities association;

               (i) causing a class of equity securities of the Company to become
               eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section
               12(g) (4) of the Act; or

               (j) any action similar to any of those set forth above.

Item 5.        Interest in Securities of the Issuer

               (a) See Item 2 above. Subject thereto, Mercury has dispositive
               power with respect to 2,126,450 Common Shares or approximately
               8.52% of the Common Shares outstanding.

               (b) See Item 2 above.

               (c) See Item 2 Above. Subject thereto, transactions in the Common
               Shares effected by Mercury on behalf of its investment clients
               are set forth in Annex B. All transactions were effected on the
               National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
               System (NASDAQ) National Market System.

               (d) See Item 2 above. The investment clients of Mercury have the
               right to receive dividends from, and proceeds from the sale of
               Common Shares.

               (e) Not applicable.

Item 6.        Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or

               Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

               Except as set forth in Item 2 above, neither Mercury nor, to the
best of its knowledge, any of the persons listed in Annex A hereto has any
contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship (legal or otherwise) with
any person with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including but not
limited to transfer or voting of any of such securities, finder's fees, joint
ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits,
division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.

Item 7.        Material to be Filed as Exhibits
               None.

                         SIGNATURE

               After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and
belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this
Statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: 24 July, 1996

                                              for Mercury Asset Management plc.

                                              By  /s/ Charles Farquharson
                                                  -----------------------
                                                   Authorised Signatory

                                                    Charles Farquharson


<PAGE>


ANNEX A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          MERCURY ASSET MANAGEMENT plc.

Executive Officers                                                                  Principal
and Directors                                     Business Address                  Occupation        Citizenship

Joint Chairman

<S>                                         <C>                                     <C>             <C>
David William James PRICE                   33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Joint Chairman)                            London, EC4R 9AS.                       Director

Stephen Anthony ZIMMERMAN                   33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Joint Chairman)                            London, EC4R 9AS.                       Director

Deputy Chairman

Carol GALLEY (Miss)                         33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Deputy Chairman)                           London, EC4R 9AS.                       Director

Christopher Nigel                           33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
HURST-BROWN                                 London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

(Deputy Chairman)

Frederick David Stewart                     33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
ROSIER (Deputy Chairman)                    London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Vice Chairman

Dr. Ross John BUNCE                         33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Vice Chairman)                             London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Andrew Searle DALTON                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Vice Chairman)                             London, EC4R 9AS.                       Director

Charles Vivian JACKSON                      33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Vice Chairman)                             London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Directors

Ian ARMITAGE                                33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Norman McLeod BACHOP                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Ian Christopher Simon BARBY                 33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London,  EC4R  9AS                      Director

Stuart John BAXTER                          33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        DIrector

Thomas Jan BERGER                           33 King William Street,                 Investment      American
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

David Thomas Alan BOYLE                     33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Carol Consuelo BROOKE                       33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

John Loughlin CALLAHAN                      33 King William Street,                 Investment      American
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

David John CAUSER                           33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Thomas William George                       33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
CHARLTON                                    London, EC4R 9AS                        Director
(Director)

Nicholas James CHARRINGTON                  33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Colin Martin CLARK                          33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Nicholas James COATS                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Stephen Benedict COHEN                      33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

John Nicholas COTTON                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Graham Richard DIXON                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Charles Bowen FARQUHARSON                   33 King William Street,                 Company         British
(Company Secretary                          London, EC4R 9AS                        Secretary
& Director)                                                                         & Director

Christopher Nigel Holland                   33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
FOSTER (Director)                           London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Peter John GIBBS                            33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Peter John Woodville                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
HARRISON (Director)                         London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Paul HARWOOD                                33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Timothy John HASTON                         33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Andrew Malcolm                              33 King William Street                  Investment      British
HUNTER-JOHNSTON                             London, EC4R 9AS                        Director
(Director)

Michael Francis Mostyn                      33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
Owen JODRELL                                London, EC4R 9AS                        Director
(Director)

Andreas Christian Jutting                   33 King William Street                  Investment      Danish
LEHMAN                                      London, EC4R 9AS                        Director
(Director)

Dr. Gordon Alan LINDSAY                     33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Gary LOWE                                   33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Roderick James MACLEOD                      33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Paul Roderick Clucas MARSHALL               33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Shaun Albert MAYS                           25 Floor,101 Collins                    Investment      British/
(Director)                                  Street,Melbourne,Vic                    Director        Australian
                                            3000 AUSTRALIA

Keith Richard MULLINS                       33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Masaru NISHIZAWA                            Hibiya Kokusai Building,                Investment      Japanese
(Director)                                  2-2-3 Uchisaiwaicho,                    Director
                                            Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100

Maurice Joseph O'SHANNASSY                  33 King William Street,                 Investment      Australian
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Thomas Andrew OATES                         33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Peter Vincent OLSBERG                       33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Ching Han ONG                               33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Roderick Louis PARIS                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

John PARSLOE                                33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Andrew Phillip PICKARD                      33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Ronald William PULLEN                       33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

John William RICHARDS                       33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Nicholas King RITCHIE                       33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Alexander Frederick                         33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
James ROE (Director)                        London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Richard George ROYDS                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Lynn Christine RUDDICK                      33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Clifford John SHAW                          Warburg Asset Management                Investment      British
(Director)                                  Japan Ltd.,                             Director
                                            Hibiya Kokusai Building,
                                            7th Floor,
                                            2-2-3- Uchisaiwaicho,
                                            Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100

Ian Michael SLACK                           33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Peter William STANYER                       33 King William Street                  Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Rodney STEEL                                33 King William Street                  Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Hugh Alexander STEVENSON                    33 King William Street,                 Chairman of     British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Mercury Asset

                                                                                    Management
                                                                                    Group plc

Barry William WOOLF                         33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director


<PAGE>



                                     MERCURY ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP plc

Executive Officers                                                                   Principal
and Directors                                   Business Address                     Occupation     Citizenship

Joint Chairman

Hugh Alexander STEVENSON                    33 King Williaam Street,                 Investment      British
(Chairman)                                  London, EC4R 9AS.                        Director

Deputy Chairman

David William James PRICE                   33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Deputy Chairman)                           London, EC4R 9AS.                       Director

Stephen Anthony ZIMMERMAN                   33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Deputy Chairman)                           London, EC4R 9AS.                       Director

Vice Chairman

Carol GALLEY (Miss)                         33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Vice Chairman)                             London, EC4R 9AS.                       Director

Company Secretary

Charles Bowen FARQUHARSON                   33 King William Street,                 Company         British
(Secretary)                                 London, EC4R 9AS.                       Secretary

Paul Graham BOSONNET                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS.                       Director

David John CAUSER                           33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Andrew Searle DALTON                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS.                       Director

Peter Stormonth DARLING                     33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Hugh Jon FOULDS                             33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Christopher Nigel                           33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
HURST-BROWN (Director)                      London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Charles Vivian JACKSON                      33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
(Director)                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

Frederick David Stewart                     33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
ROSIER (Director)                           London, EC4R 9AS                        Director

John Charles Grayson                        33 King William Street,                 Investment      British
STANCLIFFE                                  London, EC4R 9AS                        Director
(Director)
</TABLE>


ANNEX A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                       Mercury Asset Management Group plc

                                 Directors Lists

                              CORPORATE INFORMATION



                                                                Field of                    Country of
Name                              Registered Office             Activity                    Incorporation
- ----                              -----------------             --------                    --------------

<S>                                <C>                           <C>                         <C>
Mercury Asset                      33 King William Street,       Holding Company             England
Management Group plc               London, EC4R 9AS

Mercury Asset                      33 King William Street,       Investment                  England
Management plc                     London, EC4R 9AS              Management and Advice

</TABLE>

<PAGE>




ANNEX  B

                                PIONEER GROUP INC

                                  COMMON SHARES

                                             PRICE PER        DAILY
DATE          PURCHASE         SALE          SHARE            TOTALS

06.14.96                                      B/Fwd           2,402,650
06.17.96                       10,000         28.00           2,392,650
06.18.96                        5,000         28.00           2,387,650
06.19.96                       21,300         28.0839         2,366,350
06.20.96                       18,400         28.125          2,347,950
06.21.96                       12,300         28.0224         2,335,650
06.25.96                        5,000         27.875          2,330,650
06.26.96                        7,700         27.00           2,322,950
06.28.96                        6,000         27.0833         2,316,950
07.10.96                       40,500         26.50           2,276,450
07.16.96                      100,000         26.2625         2,176,450
07.17.96                       50,000         26.25           2,126,450


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